In The News

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...

Hong Kong Remains Important to China: Economist

August 12, 2019
Protests have paralyzed Hong Kong throughout the summer, putting China’s system of governance for the island into question. While the protesters’ numbers have fallen, the movement has expanded its demands and methods, including disruptions that have forced the Hong Kong airport to close. The protests may have dashed China’s vision for Hong Kong as an “‘economic’ city in which politics plays a...

China, Hong Kong Protests: South China Morning Post

Tammy Tam July 29, 2019
China’s state media have called for forceful action to stop protests in Hong Kong, and a government spokesman called eight weekends of protests that have disrupted the city "evil and criminal acts committed by the radical elements." Even so, the Chinese government is showing no sign of moving quickly despite escalating tensions and a "'let it be’ sentiment reflects the...

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...

UK-Chinese Dispute Over Hong Kong: DW

July 4, 2019
Britain’s foreign secretary warned China against repression Hong Kong and China accused Britain of colonialism and interfering in a foreign matter. Britain handed control of the territory to China in 1997 with the condition that Hong Kong would be governed under the principle of “one country, two systems.” Jeremy Hunt said he expects the spirit of that agreement to be honored. Thousands of...

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...

Hong Kong Leader Yields to Protests: New York Times

Keith Bradsher and Alexandra Stevenson June 15, 2019
A series of protests, including a moving candlelight vigil by mothers of young protesters, convinced Hong Kong’s chief executive to back off from swift imposition of a law allowing extradition of citizens to mainland China. “It was a remarkable reversal for [Carrie] Lam, the leader installed by Beijing in 2017, who had vowed to ensure the bill’s approval and tried to get it passed on an unusually...