China’s New Authoritarianism
China’s inability or refusal to democratize has been a constant source of political consternation for the West. Yet, China is becoming a democracy of sorts, albeit laced with an authoritarian edge.
COSTS NOT FORGOTTEN
In the past I have complained about the fecklessness of America’s allies, citing most especially their failure to carry a fair share of the global security burden. More recently, I have softened my complaints somewhat, recognizing that the allies are merely pursuing the most attractive political option available to them.
After the Spring
The notion that democracy in the region is in the interest of the US and its NATO allies was and continues to be an illusion and a fabrication. It becomes a dangerous fantasy when taken up by some liberal circles and champions of humanitarian intervention. This fantasy could kill a million people and destroy an entire country, as in Iraq, and might yet do the same in Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Iran.
An Old Chinese Proverb Says…Beware Chinese Generals Offering Advice
Direct military contacts are a great idea, generally. If both parties can look past military posturing and develop personal relationships they can prove useful and save lives in times of conflict. However, top level exchanges with point scoring press conferences are not useful and should be avoid. Case in point…
The Relevance of Constructivism to Foreign Policy Analysis
For a long while, no logical connection was developed between the major IR theories and the study of FPA.The relationship can be investigated in three ways: through the role actors and bureaucracies play in shaping foreign policy, the process of decision-making, and the effect of international system on the conduct of foreign policy.
Leal’s Execution was Legal (Sort Of), But That Doesn’t Make it Right
The international community watched with muted anger Friday afternoon as Texas executed Mexican national Humberto Leal Garcia after the Supreme Court refused to stay his sentence. Little doubt remains that in doing so, the United States violated the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and this is not the first such occurrence.
The Muslim Brotherhood and The Egyptian Revolution
In August 2010, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Muhammad al-Badie set forward a new Muslim Brotherhood policy. Badie departed from the historic position that the group was still in the base-building stage and openly called for jihad and revolution.
A Bridge to Nowhere: The Futility and Peril of the American approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
If the U.S. genuinely cares for Israel, which I believe it really does, it should force it to decolonize now. It would be a paternal act of love. Just do it now, President Obama. And then, truly, you would deserve the Nobel Peace Prize you were awarded in Oslo.
Rupert, Rebekah and the Search for Media Ethics
The prospect of a responsible press is too horrible to contemplate. The Parliamentary expenses scandal was a classic bit of press irresponsibility: it invaded MPs privacy, it was probably based on an unlawful act and did an enormous service to democracy, accountability and the UK public interest. A press too responsible to do such a thing is a press that is excessively and unwelcomely responsible.
Understanding the Implications of South Sudan’s Independence
Doubt and bitterness prevail amongst many non-Southern Sudanese on the eve of independence, but history is not destiny. The question is no longer whether secession should have happened or not; it is how the marginalised people of North and South can finally get on with their lives, instead of being sucked into open wars and micro-conflicts.
