In The News

Identity Politics, Corruption, Insecurity: Brave New World

John Githongo March 10, 2015
The phrase “identity politics” describes a range of political activity focused on shared experiences of injustice and marginalization, suggests the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. A global challenge emerges in addressing the activities, whether peaceful protests associated with the Arab Spring or the rise of vicious Islamic State and Nigerian Boko Haram extremists. Partisanship, neglect and...

Why “India’s Daughter” Should Be Seen in India

Salil Tripathi March 6, 2015
Indian courts tried blocking “India’s Daughter,” the BBC film on the 2012 gang rape and murder of a physiotherapy student on a city bus, from a global showing. “As Indian government officials drummed up publicity for the film in a way that was beyond the wildest imagination of any marketing executive – calling for its global ban, complaining about defaming India, worrying about impact on tourist...

Iran Nuclear Talks: The 5 Options for What Happens If They Fail

Seyed Hossein Mousavian March 5, 2015
In an address to US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized negotiations to end Iran’s nuclear program by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council along with Germany as it “doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb; it paves Iran’s path to the bomb.” The negotiations are making “unprecedented progress,” writes Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former spokesman for Iran’s...

Thai Coup Alienates US Giving China New Opening

Shawn W. Crispin March 5, 2015
After months of street protests, the Thai military ousted Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra’s elected government in May 2014, replacing her with General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Thailand has been a long-time strategic partner for the United States on many global initiatives, and US diplomats criticized the coup. “As the erstwhile allies drift apart, China has moved to fill the gap with economic aid and...

Netanyahu, Obama and the Geopolitics of Speeches

George Friedman March 4, 2015
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing US Congress, warned that a deal with Iran, under negotiation with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, is inadequate. George Friedman, chairman of Stratfor Global Intelligence, writes that the issue at stake is larger than the nuclear deal under negotiation and outlines the history of US-Israeli relations: “the...

Boris Nemtsov: Liberal Martyr

March 3, 2015
The political atmosphere and debate in Russia is increasingly one-sided, and those who challenge Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian ways can expect a spew of aggressive, hateful, unchecked comments Boris Nemtsov was one of the few Russian politicians courageous enough to criticize Putin, and he was assassinated while walking near the well-guarded Kremlin. “Given the level of security in the vicinity...

All It Takes to Cross From Turkey to ISIS-Held Syria Is $25

Sophia Jones March 2, 2015
Once aspiring jihadists reach Turkey, the last stage of crossing into the Islamic State controlled area is simple, with $25 and help from smugglers, explains Sophia Jones for the WorldPost. “Despite Turkey’s insistence that it’s doing all it can to secure the 500-mile-long border, smugglers, fighters and refugees say that Turkish criminal gangs and bribed Turkish paramilitary police have created...