In The News

In Humayun Khan and His Family, A Complex Portrait of Patriotism

AJ Willingham August 1, 2016
US Army Captain Humayun Khan, 27, the son of Pakistani immigrants, died in service of his country in Iraq. Twelve years later, Khizr Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of candidate Hillary Clinton. The father’s speech, a powerful testament to American values, criticized Donald Trump and resonated in the convention hall and beyond, demonstrating the ability of US citizens...

Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies

David E. Sanger and Maggie Haberman July 22, 2016
The Republican nominee for US president set off alarm bells in Europe by suggesting he might not quickly aid Baltic States against a Russian attack. Defense might depend whether they “have fulfilled their obligations to us,” Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Times. “During a 45-minute conversation, Mr. Trump re-emphasized the hard-line nationalist approach that has marked his...

US Officials Say American Muslims Do Report Extremist Threats

Kristina Cooke and Joseph Ax June 16, 2016
The US has more than 3 million Muslims, about 1 percent of the population. A good relationship with the Muslim community is indispensable for law enforcement, notes James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: “It’s at the heart of the FBI’s effectiveness to have good relationships with these folks.” His statement countered claims by US presidential candidate Donald Trump who, in...

Turkey No Longer a Democratic Model for the Middle East

Mohammed Ayoob May 31, 2016
Turkey was expected to offer a democratic model for other Muslim nations in the Middle East. Instead, the country under President Recep Erdoğan is displaying familiar authoritarian tendencies, with the Kurdish minority as a special target. “The parliament’s May 20 decision to approve an amendment to the constitution to strip a select group of MPs, many from the predominantly Kurdish HDP, of...

American Apathy: Voters’ Aversion to Foreign Entanglements Bodes Ill for Stability in Asia

Nayan Chanda May 18, 2016
During the US presidential primary season, voters have signaled a preference for candidates who will refrain from costly military interventions and instead focus on domestic policies to improve the employment outlook and lift stagnant wages. “The political churning during the primaries will do more than just force the next administration to reconsider established policies,” notes Nayan Chanda,...

The United States: Divided in More Ways Than One

Bruce Stokes May 5, 2016
The United States is polarized and so are members of its major political parties, especially on foreign policy. Results of a Pew Research Study released today suggest that isolationist tendencies are tempered by recognition for the practical need for international engagement. “Wariness of international engagement coexists with unilateralist assertiveness on some issues and a belief that the...

Why the Rest of the World Should Get a Vote in the Greatest Reality TV Show on Earth – The US Election

Laurie Penny February 22, 2016
So far, three of 50 states have cast votes in party primaries to determine the top candidates for the US presidential election. Laurie Penny, writing for New Statesman, laments that she cannot have a say on leadership that has so much global influence. “The world is obsessed with the US elections because the outcome of those elections will have an impact on every person on Earth. So, let the...