Romney Still GOP Frontrunner
If his victory in Arizona and Michigan this past week is any indication, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is poised to win the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination and face President Obama in the general election. This certainty stems in part from the relatively weak pool of GOP candidates. Each has overtaken or gained momentum on […]
Freedom of Speech and its Limitations: How one Soldier’s Civil Right is not his Military Right
The drama of the Iowa Caucus kept me up until two a.m. I watched as the narrow race between Romney and Santorum was ultimately decided by only eight votes (every vote really does count!). The other big winner of the evening, besides the incredible surge for Rick Santorum, was that of Ron Paul. Even though […]
Rethinking an Active U.S. Military Policy
As the Obama administration concludes a long overdue disengagement from Iraq and attempts to bring about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, it is imperative that policy makers not lose sight of the crucial role that an active foreign military policy plays in supporting and sustaining Washington’s vital interests. Coupled with a domestic economic crisis, the […]
Misusing Power: National Security and Corruption
Corruption is a contested concept with its understanding connected to societal, cultural and governance norms and values. A shorthand definition of corruption, found in the Transparency International Plain Language Guide, defines it as: “The abuse of entrusted power for private gain.”[i] According to the World Bank, for policy purposes corruption can be best understood as: […]
The Euro: Not Short on Friends, Yet Homeless
An old dog may not be taught new tricks, but the ailing European Union (EU) can be further economically and politically domesticated by enacting necessary reforms to address its sovereign debt crisis. Though many European governments and banks managed to emerge relatively unscathed after the 2008 financial crisis, largely by avoiding American credit markets,[i] the […]
A Path to a Unified Korea: Redefining the Korean Reunification in the 21st Century
The Present and Prospective East Asian Geopolitical Structure Korean economists often say “every time China or the US sneezes, it’s Korea that catches the cold.” This saying applies to both political and economic realities facing South Korea. Caught between the two superpowers, South Korea’s political and economic decisions are inevitably dependent on the policies of […]
The Next Great American Social Movement
Barely one month after a few protesters began camping out on Wall Street, the Occupy movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. It is undeniable that the sentiments of the movement have struck a deep chord within this country, which is now experiencing one of the largest and most widespread mobilizations of social and political […]
Challenge Yourself, Not the Public’s Patience
Andrew is the External VP of the NU College Republicans. Is there any parallel between the Occupy movement and the Tea Party? Is it a drum circle of students who should be doing something more productive with their time? Both are relevant questions to ask when attempting to make any sense at all of the […]
Occupy Boston: Is This What Democracy Looks Like?
“We are the 99%. And so are you!” “Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like!” Across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, protesters hold signs and recite chants denouncing Wall Street tycoons and the American political ruling class. Many call for an end to the war in […]
Yemen: The New Frontier in the Global Fight Against Terrorism
Recent shifts in American security policy, including the killing of Osama bin Laden and dismantling of Al-Qaeda along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, indicate that Al-Qaeda operations are no longer centered in the Af-Pak region but rather in the often overlooked nation of Yemen. A poor country in the Gulf of Aden, Yemen has been a stronghold […]