...widely reported on, analyzed, and discussed. Political and military struggles are often the subject of newspaper headlines and television broadcasts, and various approaches to their resolution are promoted by politicians and diplomats of all stripes. But when does the debate over conflict resolution translate from lip service into the visible resolution of a conflict? Communication can represent the start of reconciliation. Yet, in order for tal...
...ypt’s Christian community, which already feels more marginalized and vulnerable after Morsi’s victory. So long as the ridiculous narrative that Obama harbors a secret Islamist agenda remains, it will be difficult for American diplomats in Egypt to do their job, let alone anticipate the effects of the many unborn conspiracy theories still to come. Regardless of the role that the United States plays in Egyptian rumor production, American politician...
...cholars question the 28-year old leader’s role in the North Korean government. Former U.S. ambassador to South Korea says he has recently met with North Korean contacts and they relayed “that they have given up on their diplomats, and the military is now in control.” Victor Cha an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies questions whether the new leader “really is fully in charge, or whether the military is...
...l as a group that spreads democracy abroad, it is clear that the ‘beneficiaries’ of their services do not necessarily agree. But the situation also has, at times, been reversed, as political consultants have acted as for-hire diplomats on behalf of foreign interests, creating ties between the USA and foreign governments. An established American consultant already comes prepared with a contact list, and can be a useful partner in building alliance...
Last Sunday, February 19, I opened the New York Times homepage to check in with the rest of the globe and found the startling headline: “Iran Halts Oil Exports to Britain and France.” Agog, I anxiously clicked the link and hurried through the article, eager to hear of the potential ramifications of Iran’s bellicose ruse and anticipating the many possible reactions from the West. What I found, however, were not flared passions or irate diplomats,...
...ine a self-governing democracy by weakening a vibrant culture of free expression underlying it. Yet, the most unpleasant aspect of WikiLeaks’ recent disclosure of classified state documents is its shocking disregard for diplomats’ right to exercise their freedom of speech in the most responsible way they see fit. A decision to guard one’s mouth by carefully choosing one’s audience, especially in situations where their word...
...hávez, looked to Europe and China for foreign investment and expanded into Latin American regional integration. At the same time, he has called for the United States to remain a central figure in his foreign policy and for US diplomats to “reshuffle their cards” and revitalize their attention to the Americas. In both Colombia and Chile, the reality is neither submission nor rejection; both countries remain strong, but not unconditional, allies of...
...order regions offer the support that sustains their Afghan counterparts, thereby undermining the American mission in Afghanistan. Pakistani cooperation is key to stabilizing the Afghanistan situation. The problem for American diplomats is that the Pakistani government, officially an American ally, refuses to go after the insurgents despite America’s insistence that it do so. In fact, there is evidence that the government is actively helping these...
Follow us at
Like us on
Recent Comments