While the U.S. presidential election preoccupies our media, and rightfully so, this past week another vote took place, and it is attracting political attention in the Middle East: the election of Lebanese president Michel Aoun.
Read MoreRailroad Diplomacy: Chinese Soft Power in the Horn of Africa
A hallmark of Chinese foreign policy is its generous distribution of foreign aid. Nowhere is this form of soft power more prevalent than the continent of Africa, particularly in the nations that comprise the Horn of Africa.
Read MoreFor Whom the Bell Tolls: Ringing in the Liberation of Mosul
Ringing a familiar and yet disconcerting tune, the bells of Mosul toll to the inevitable liberation of the Iraqi peoples. For the second time in a little over a decade, the Iraqi city, weathered by more than two years of ruthless authoritarian rule under the Islamic State, is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Read More"Death to America": The Difference Between Country and Government
In the fierce debate regarding the United States’ nuclear deal with Iran, discussions focused on how much Iran hates America and how dangerous it is to allow the Iranians to develop any nuclear power at all. The most prominent anti-nuclear deal propaganda that I have seen are commercials that condemn negotiating with a country "where chants of 'Death to America' are common."
Read MoreThe Case for Latin American Studies in International Relations
For a field as broad and interdisciplinary as international relations, Latin America has high research potential for IR students of all kinds. Those interested in international peace, politics, and security will find just as much material to study in Latin America as they would in the Middle East or Europe.
Read MoreRussia: Taking Advantage of the Lame Duck Period
While most of the world anticipates the US presidential election, some countries are taking advantage of this lame duck period - most notably Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, using this time to strengthen their alliance.
Read MoreThe Eagle and the Dragon: What can Bring China in Line?
On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that there was no evidence that China had any historical claims to the South China Sea.
Read MoreThe Fuel of Civil War
Tuesday October 11, 2016, Houthi rebels (Yemeni insurgents) launched a second missile attack at the U.S. warship Mason off of the Yemen Coast.
Read MoreDefense Planning: Don’t Forget the People
From an alleged Chinese breach of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management data, to an alleged Russian hack of the DNC, to the WikiLeaks release of various Clinton emails, hardly a day goes by without a mention of hacking or cyber-attacks.
Read MoreHong Kong as a Frontier for Modern Independence
Emerging from the subway station in Shatin, Hong Kong, it is impossible to miss a passionate rally of neon green t-shirt-clad Hong Kongese.
Read MoreViolence in Burundi: Destabilizing the Region and U.S. Interests
Last week, Burundi announced that they would withdraw from the International Criminal Court. This move came in the wake of rumors that President Nkurunziza would be brought to trial at the ICC.
Read MoreThinking about Syrian Refugees in the U.S.
Against the backdrop of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly and the first U.S. presidential debate, the Syrian refugee crisis remains potentially the most catastrophic global crisis of today.
Read MoreWhat are we doing about war crimes in Aleppo?
Two hospitals bombed, in one city, on one day.
On October 3, 2016, the M2 and M10 hospitals in Aleppo were attacked by airstrikes. The hospitals were bombed at 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., and this was the third time in a week that the M10 hospital had been attacked.
Read MoreWhy are we obsessed with President Vladimir Putin?
Even including Monday’s presidential debate, Americans are bombarded with Putin so much that he has become a cultural phenomenon, with references across popular media from TV to the Internet.
In Russia, it makes sense. But in the United States?
Read MoreWestern Sahara – The Unexpected Costs of an Overlooked Conflict
Europe and the United States should immediately engage in a joint effort to finally end the Western Sahara conflict, pressuring Morocco, the Polisario Front, and Algeria to resolve the crisis quickly and fairly.
Read MoreThe Use of Torture: Observations from a Concerned College Student
Putting utilitarian moral considerations aside for a moment, how can one justify the use of torture when it clearly psychologically perverts those who carry it out?
Read MoreMorality and Strategy in Netanyahu’s Israel
Though the extreme nature of politics in Israel may be understandable at times given the threats the country faces, Israel’s current strategy and political trajectory is neither morally defensible nor rational.
Read MoreThe Gulf Monarchies and Private Funding of ISIS
One source of support for that should be studied and addressed is the private funding of ISIS and other terrorist organizations by individuals within the Persian Gulf monarchies.
Read MoreIn Hopes of a Better Tomorrow: Syrian Children Are More than Statistics
The international community must focus on promoting peace in Syria to end the suffering for the millions of innocent children.
Read MoreThe Chinese Silk Road in South and Southeast Asia: Enter 'Counter Geopolitics'
The Chinese Silk Road projects signal towards a new era of the changing geopolitical order across the Asian continent.
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