In The News

Hong Kong Protests Turn Violent: Reuters

Twinnie Siu August 27, 2019
After 11 weeks, mostly peaceful protests in Hong Kong have turned into violent with petrol bombs, destruction of surveillance cameras and injuries. Police responded with water cannons, teargas, gunfire and more than 80 arrests. The protests began in June over an extradition bill allowing Hong Kong people to be sent to China for trial. “But the demonstrations have evolved over 12 straight weeks...

Hong Kong Protests Draw 1 Million Plus: BBC

Stephen McDonell August 18, 2019
As many as 1.7 million protesters of all ages bearing colorful umbrellas marched peacefully in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park and other parts of the city. “China, which has built up security forces in nearby Shenzhen, has likened the protests to terrorist activity,” notes a BBC News report. China has warned the city’s leaders not to lose control after recent violent clashes with police and disruptions...

Ban for Omar-Tlaib and Democracy: Times of Israel

August 16, 2019
Polarization and fear of criticism erode democracy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu banned two American Democratic congresswomen from visiting the Israeli-occupied West Bank soon after US President Donald Trump suggested as much. The ban on the two representatives reveals the extent of Israel’s control over Palestinian territories. Ilhan Omar, once a Somali refugee who was elected to...

Imran in Washington: Times of India

Nayan Chanda July 31, 2019
President Donald Trump, long opposed to US involvement in lengthy military campaigns, counts on Pakistan to help “extricate” his country from the war in Afghanistan. Nayan Chanda identifies a pattern in Trump’s approach on foreign challenges like North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. “Following the ‘threaten then flatter’ playbook Trump suspended $1.3 billion of annual aid to Pakistan before...

Turkey’s Crackdown on Academics: New York Times

Brennan Cusack July 10, 2019
Ayse Gul Altinay’s research focused on violence in Turkey and strategies for breaking the cycles. In May, the Turkish government sentenced the professor of anthropology and director of Sabanci University Gender and Women’s Studies Center of Excellence to 25 months in prison for signing a petition supporting peaceful resolution of Turkeys’ conflict with Kurds, reports the New York Times. “Of the...

China and Hong Kong: South China Morning Post

Naomi Ng and Kimmy Chung July 2, 2019
“HK is not China.” The scrawled message on a pillar of Hong Kong’s legislative hall, stormed by protesters, encapsulates the city’s quarrel with China. Protesters oppose legislation allowing extradition of Hong Kong citizens to China for judicial proceedings. China could become impatient with Hong Kong’s leaders for not putting a quick stop to the massive protests attracting global attention, and...

Ending America’s Endless War: Foreign Affairs

Bernie Sanders June 29, 2019
Senator Bernie Sanders, a 2020 Democratic candidate for the US presidential election, has long opposed US intervention in the Middle East, starting with his vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In an essay for Foreign Affairs, he outlines the history of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and warns of consequences far more severe in a potential war with Iran. Syria, Iraq, Israel and the Persian...