In The News

Missed Opportunities in Iraq: Wall Street Journal

Ghassan Adnan and Isabel Coles October 7, 2019
After years of Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship followed by a long war, Iraqis struggle with a poor economy with low job growth and corruption. The country is among the world’s top 10 oil-producing nations, and the government failed to distribute benefits two decades ago under Hussein and still fails today. Protesters are turning out in force, demanding jobs, improved living standards...

Beijing and Revenge on Hong Kong: Financial Times

Jamil Anderlini October 7, 2019
Hong Kong’s status as a vibrant financial center, a base for companies of all types, flourished under democracy. Democracy and fears about erosion of freedoms also fuels protests. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, operates with a separate set of political processes, since 1997 through 2047. Increasing Chinese influence over Hong Kong, including expulsion of specific elected...

Mainstreaming of Corruption: Project Syndicate

Sławomir Sierakowski September 30, 2019
Power is lucrative and intoxicating, and some politicians will use any means necessary to remain in office and ruin democratic checks. Special interests, lobbying interests and extremists tend to support nepotism, self-dealing, patronage, misuse of public resources, graft and bending rules, reinforcing a downward cycle of corruption and public cynicism. “In many countries, even supporters of anti...

A Need to Hear “I Don’t Know” More: New Statesman

Amelia Tait September 28, 2019
Many in the world are far too certain and free with opinions even when lacking evidence. “’I don’t know’ is a phrase that is sorely needed in modern discourse,” suggests Amelia Tait for New Statesman. “In a world of push notifications, populism and prolifically tweeting presidents, it is easier than ever to feel overpowered by the news.” Many complex issues require nuanced responses that go far...

Boris Johnson Needs an Election: Scotsman

Paris Gourtsoyannis September 28, 2019
Political leaders with extreme views struggle to reach compromise and attract broad consensus. Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists the UK will leave the European Union without or without a deal. The Supreme Court ruled that Johnson unlawfully applied prorogation, suspending parliament for five weeks until just before the October 31 deadline. Members returned to session. Voters approved leaving...

Zelensky-Trump Meet on UN Sidelines: Kyiv Post

Bermét Talant September 26, 2019
Expect global leaders to apply caution in interactions with the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine since May, spoke with US President Donald Trump by telephone in July, shortly after the president had suspended an aid payment. Details of the call, possibly connected to a whistleblower’s complaint about Trump, have galvanized global attention. Speaker of the House of...

Obsession With Ukraine: New York Times

Kenneth P. Vogel, Julian E. Barnes, Maggie Haberman and Sharon LaFraniere September 26, 2019
US interest in Ukraine focuses on the country’s shared border with Russia, the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea soon after a puppet’s departure in 2014, and interference in the country’s eastern section. US President Donald Trump’s emphasizes other priorities, including improved relations with Russia, according to a non-verbatim transcript of a July telephone call between Trump and...