Don Angela

The link to the article is here -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/merkel-warns-solution-to-europes-crisis-will-take-years/2011/12/02/gIQA3mH6JO_story.html

1. Chancellor Merkel is advocating what kind of pace for seeing an end to Europe's financial crisis? Who (or what) is arguing for something quicker?
2. The article refers to the European Union. Using external research, identify this and how is it different than the countries who use the Euro?
3. Why has the ECB (European Central Bank), "held back from using more financial firepower to fight the debt crisis?"
4. What are the two "other measures" referred to in the article to assist Europe?

What's The Big Deal About Burma?

Here is the article -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/clinton-to-become-first-us-secretary-of-state-to-visit-burma-in-50-years/2011/11/18/gIQAh2DtWN_story.html

1. How does this story tie-in with the previous blog post?
2. Why has America and Burma NOT had good relations with one another?
3. What has Burma recently done to help fix this broken relationship?
4. What is the geopolitical significance of having Burma "on our side?"

President's Asia Trip

Today, the president embarks on a nine-day trip to Asia, focusing on economic and military matters. However, the article points to potential disagreements between us and China. The article describing the trip is found here -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/obama-heads-to-asia-with-sharp-focus-on-chinas-growing-power/2011/11/10/gIQAOsQkBN_story.html?hpid=z1

Again, buzz words are used in this article that we have used in class - power, spheres of influence... Specifically, what do we hope to gain from the Chinese and what do they hope to gain from us? What are countries within the region worried about with regards to China? What will be the substance of the meetings between our president and President Hu of China?

American Foreign Policy Buzz Words

The long article can be found here -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hillarys-war-how-conviction-replaced-skepticism-in-libya-intervention/2011/10/28/gIQAhGS7WM_print.html

Apart from the specific subject matter, this article is chock-full of terms we have identified in class - pragmatism & intervention, and soon-to-be identified - NATO& alliance, the article speaks to the achievements of the current Secretary of State. What acts did she successfully orchestrate? In answering this overall rhetorical question, respond to the following -

1. Why were American officials apprehensive at first to get involved?
2. What are three things Secretary Clinton did before active combat began?
3. How did Secretary Clinton create the American policy on Libya? (Remember, the president is typically the person who creates policy)
4. What was the specific conflict our European allies (Italy, France, Turkey) had regarding command structure?
5. What did she do to save both the European & Middle Eastern alliances?
6. What did she do when it appeared the rebels were going to "lose?"

Western Influence in North Korea

Here is the article -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/private-university-in-north-korea-offers-lessons-in-science-and-world-peace/2011/07/25/gIQAQ5lPSL_story.html

Using the concepts discovered on pages 98 & 99 in our book, what similarities can we see with that of the article?

Palestinian Rally for Statehood

Here is the link to the article -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-rally-to-back-un-statehood-bid/2011/09/21/gIQABgyClK_story.html

You will need to perform an external search to answer the following - What is the Palestinian Authority? Within the article, why did this "carnival atmosphere" include burning the American flag on numerous occasions? Why does America have the opinion we do concerning Palestinian statehood (you very well may need to perform additional external research for this question)?

Repression Tears Apart Bahrain

Here is the link to the article -

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/world/middleeast/repression-tears-apart-bahrains-social-fabric.html?_r=1&ref=world

The first action you must perform is to identify what apartheid (as read in the 2nd paragraph) is and how it was practiced in a previous country. Afterwards, write your feelings on the outlook that is offered by the writer about the prospects for the future in Bahrain. What seems to be different here rather than in other Arab countries such as Egypt and Tunisia? On page two, what is the simple display (where one drinks coffee) of the religious differences plaguing this country?

Score One For Interventionism

The author of the essay is a veteran journalist with decades of experience writing about foreign affairs. Reading his work requires a certain amount of background knowledge needed in order to fully understand his central thesis. Your task is to identify at least six concepts Cohen states in his piece that you do not understand. He uses terms such as , "liberal hawkisness" and "conservative American hubris." Or ideas such as his reference to being sickened by the carnage of Bosnia. As you read a passage you are unfamiliar with, please identify it.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/opinion/30iht-edcohen30.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Libya

Who is Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi? How long has he been in power? Is he considered to be an autocrat? Why is his rule being threatened today? How would you describe how Libya as a country (This is a very open-ended question)?