Putin Reawakens the Russian Bear
Coverage of Vladimir Putin’s impending return to the Presidency of Russia on March 4th has so far focused almost exclusively on the menace posed to Russia’s teetering democracy. Conspicuously, little analysis has been offered regarding the impact Putin’s eminent reprisal of the Kremlin’s top job is having on Russia’s foreign policy – particularly when it comes to how political events are playing out in Syria and the Middle East.
NSA still reading your e-mails
In a brazen example of the self-maximizing nature of government power, it appears that the NSA is still engaged in the collection, reading, and archiving of large amounts of American e-mails.
OPINION: War with Iran Unlikely
The recently passed economic sanctions on Iran will do nothing to force the hand of the Iranian regime with respect to its nuclear program and will not provoke a military response precipitating conflict in the region. It is quite unlikely that we are on the brink of a catastrophic showdown between the West and Iran.
Why Many Fear Regime Change in Syria
The Middle East’s despots and the push for democracy synonymous with the Arab Spring make curious bedfellows. And yet, as an Arab League delegation presses the United Nations to support the league’s latest roadmap to peace in Syria, all overt signs suggest that the Arab world’s most ardently anti-democratic leaders have re-cast themselves as champions of Western-style liberal democracy, at least in appearance.
Egypt: A Coup by any Other Name Still Brings Chaos
Although Egypt’s first democratically elected leader displayed an authoritarian streak, Morsi’s undemocratic ouster sets a dangerous precedent in Egypt’s early experiment with constitutional democracy. Rather than rejoicing over the ouster, Egyptians should be cautious of the ideological divide that is polarizing the country and creating policy deadlock.
A Tale of Two Conferences
Copenhagen and Durban: two conferences with two totally different sets of expectations. In the short amount of time between them, hope has collapsed under the weight of global cynicism. What a difference two years can make.
OPINION: The Ones Who Progress Left Behind
Globalization’s chickens are coming home to roost on Wall Street.
One Last Nuclear Dance for the US and Iran
The Geopoliticalmonitor's Zachary Fillingham examines the latest diplomatic overtures between Iran and the United States.
ANALYSIS: The Economics of Happiness
Ireland’s recent Quarterly National Household Survey may be evidence that happiness and economic hardship are not always mutually exclusive. The survey demonstrates that despite the deepening recession, record unemployment, and falling living standards; as many as four out of five Irish respondents answered to be happy all or most of the time. This brings to mind other countries’ growing interest in quantifying populations’ overall wellbeing.
Saudi Arabia Lashes Out, Grants Women Vote
This week was an eventful week for women in Saudi Arabia. Women in Saudi Arabia were given the right to vote and to run in elections by King Abdullah, marking a huge step forward for women’s political participation in this country. Yet, a Saudi woman named Shaima Jastaina also received the first legal punishment for violating the kingdom’s prohibition on female driving and was condemned to ten lashes.