In The News

Thailand’s Ultra-Monarchists Export Vigilante Justice

Michael Peel September 3, 2014
The rise of ultra-monarchism and harsh penalties for speaking against the monarchy in Thailand are heightening political conflict and tension throughout the diaspora. “Part-absurd, part chilling, the case highlights how the ever harsher application in Thailand of lèse-majesté laws protecting the frail 86-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is spilling across continents in uncontrolled and...

Italy and Japan: Troubled Twins of Globalization

Joji Sakurai August 26, 2014
Japan and Italy are major economies, ranked third and ninth in the world, respectively. Yet both have slipped in recent years, a result of insular policies that in turn encourage provincialism. The cultures offer beautiful and unusual elements that draw admiration from around the world. Ironically, challenges emerge as each are obsessed with preserving and perfecting traditions. “Japan and Italy...

The Science Behind ISIS Savagery: 5 Ways Humans Become Hardwired for Violence

Ian Robertson August 20, 2014
Islamic State militants stun the world with senseless acts of violence, with the public beheading of a journalist covering civil war in Syria as the most recent example. Such atrocities are not limited to Islamic extremists and have been waged by throughout history by many other religious fanatics and even governments, reminds Ian Robertson, professor of psychology in an essay for the Telegraph....

How America’s Police Became an Army: The 1033 Program

Taylor Wofford August 15, 2014
The US devotes 23 percent of its budget to defense purposes and veterans benefits – more than the next 13 countries combined. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cost $4 trillion alone. Even before the country pulled back from wars, the Department of Defense has distributed surplus equipment to willing takers, including allies and local police at home, many untrained: The weapons can fall into...

Brutality and “the Beast”: Why Child Migration to US Is Slowing Down

Gabriel Stargardter August 13, 2014
The numbers of children detained after crossing the US southern border is slowing. A Reuters team points to tighter enforcement at the border and for cargo trains moving northward, including increasing the speed of trains; road checkpoints; anecdotal tales about crime and drug gangs; high profile arrests and a US advertising campaign on the dangers associated with the journey. “The sight of...

World Will Have 13 “Super-Aged” Nations by 2020

Sarah O’Connor August 11, 2014
The world now has three nations with high proportions of elderly people – Germany, Italy and Japan. Joining that group before 2030: China, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Portugal, Slovenia, Croatia, Hong Kong, Korea, the US, the UK, New Zealand and other nations. “The ‘unprecedented pace’ of population ageing would slow annual global economic growth by 0.4 per cent over the next five years and by...

Anti-Semitism Rises in Europe Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

Melissa Eddy August 5, 2014
As Israel and Hamas continue to exchange fire, anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe, reports Melissa Eddy for the New York Times. “[E]ven as the police have clamped down on demonstrators, banning slogans that target Jews instead of Israeli policies, a spike in violence has spread fear among Jews, not only in Germany but also in other European countries,” Eddy reports. France has prohibited some...