Amid the din of news about Russia’s air strikes in Syria and the deadly – but mistaken – U.S. bombing of a charity hospital in Afghanistan came a quieter, but no less significant, change in the global landscape. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is touted by President Obama as a “21st century trade agreement” that brings together 12 nations, including the U.S. and Japan, in a far-reaching free trade deal. Central to the debate over its merits is China. Should China have been included? Or was it the right call to keep Beijing out?
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12 Nation Trans-Pacific Partnership Aims to Rebalance Global Economic Power
Posted October 7th, 2015 at 4:39 pm (UTC-4)
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Syria: Russian Quagmire? American Quandary
Posted October 6th, 2015 at 4:33 pm (UTC-4)
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Three-dimensional military and diplomatic chess is being played out in the Middle East. Russian warplanes have forayed into Turkish, and by alliance, NATO airspace while flying sorties to support the beleaguered Syrian government. Turkey’s prime minister warns Russian jets could be shot down if they trespass again. Battle-tested Russian “volunteers” may soon put boots on the ground alongside Syrian forces, according to a top Russian official. Is Washington ceding influence in the Middle East to Moscow? Or, is Russia repeating its Afghan mistake? It will likely take years to get to checkmate.
Americans, Once Again, Grapple With How to Stop Gun Violence
Posted October 5th, 2015 at 2:15 pm (UTC-4)
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Angst, anger and grief are on the minds of many Americans after last week’s mass shooting at a community college in Oregon. How did we get here – here being the near routine incidents of one person deliberately shooting completely innocent victims? Some observers are wading back into the debate over gun control, wielding studies and statistics to back their solution to this deadly epidemic.
One More Shooting Massacre in America
Posted October 2nd, 2015 at 4:06 pm (UTC-4)
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Columbine. Newtown. Blacksburg. Aurora. Now Roseburg joins the infamous list of American towns where mass shootings have occurred. At least 40 times in the past 30 years, gunfire has interrupted the mundane goings-on at a workplace, a church, a shopping mall, a restaurant, a school. 375 people have been killed. Just a few hours after a 26 year-old man opened fire Thursday on the campus of a community college in Oregon, President Barack Obama appeared before the cameras. “But as I said just a few months ago… our thoughts and prayers are not enough. It’s not enough.” The president’s voice was thick with frustration and anger as he spoke about the spate of mass shootings that he said “… has somehow become routine.” At the heart of his ire is not only grief for the 10 people gunned down while attending class, but the issue of gun control. Access to firearms in America is a deeply emotional and divisive issue. Obama believes that laws limiting a citizen’s ability to get hold of a gun is key to stopping such tragic shootings. But to do that, who would be willing to commit political suicide in the name of gun control?
Afghanistan: Is Taliban Siege on Kunduz Déjà Vu All Over Again?
Posted October 1st, 2015 at 1:54 pm (UTC-4)
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It is not only the Middle East where one can see the results of President Barack Obama’s strong belief in keeping the U.S. military out of far-flung conflicts. A year after the bulk of U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban made a bold — if short-lived — move on the northern city of Kunduz. With a strong U.S. military assist, Afghan forces were able to retake control after four days. But the episode was ominous. Is Afghanistan ready to defend itself against a committed Taliban movement with only 9,800 U.S. soldiers on hand? Obama is making good on his campaign promise to end both U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But by doing so, Americans are now forced to examine what is left behind.
US Confronts Islamic State Militants Online
Posted September 29th, 2015 at 4:47 pm (UTC-4)
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Efforts to defeat the Islamic State involve more than military might, President Barack Obama said at Tuesday’s summit on countering violent extremism: “…This means defeating their ideology. Ideologies are not defeated with guns, they’re defeated by better ideas.” The stunning success of IS online recruitment via social media has resulted in a growing US operation to dilute the messaging that has inspired tens of thousands to drop everything and join IS in Syria. Anti-terrorism messaging is not a new tool, but it is a difficult one to get right. US officials are betting on telling the stories of IS defectors and reaching young minds on the Internet and elsewhere.
Syria Choas Draws Putin into Obama’s Orbit
Posted September 28th, 2015 at 4:06 pm (UTC-4)
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Just a day before President Barack Obama stepped up to the ornate lectern to deliver his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, his Russian counterpart stole the spotlight — and left the Obama administration scrambling. Over the weekend, Vladimir Putin struck a deal with Iran, Iraq and Syria to share military intelligence and security information about the Islamic State. It is yet another bold move on the part of Putin to make himself relevant to the unending misery of Syria, which has recently spilled onto the front porch of Europe in the form of tens of thousands of refugees. The two leaders, whose relations remain frosty, are set to meet on the sidelines of UNGA to discuss cooperation in Syria. The big sticking point: what to do with Bashir al-Assad.
Pope Francis Goes to Washington
Posted September 24th, 2015 at 4:25 pm (UTC-4)
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Pope Francis must have been invited to address Congress for a reason. He waded into the fractious issues that divide his audience in the House chamber and across America. On immigration, the son of an immigrant challenged a nation of immigrants to remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The “common good” that business creates must also include the earth, a nod to climate change without ever uttering the phrase. Gay marriage? Francis acknowledged the questions raised about “fundamental relationships,” but stressed the “richness and beauty of family life” without any further definition. Did the lawmakers get the message they were looking for?
The “Francis” Effect
Posted September 23rd, 2015 at 1:29 pm (UTC-4)
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After formally greeting Pope Francis at the White House today, President Barack Obama articulated exactly what is it about this pope that makes him so different: “Your Holiness, in your words and deeds, you set a profound moral example … you are shaking us out of complacency.” The excitement over the pope’s visit to the United States is not only generated by Catholics, but by many who are inspired by his kinder, gentler leadership style. It is clear that Francis has become far more than the head of the Catholic Church. He has joined the ranks of global leaders.
Cracks in Catholic Doctrine Debated as U.S. Faithful Await Historic Visit of Pope Francis
Posted September 22nd, 2015 at 4:54 pm (UTC-4)
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The American president who made “Hope” a campaign slogan greeted the man who embodies hope for millions of those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing cleansing, renewal, love — and hope. In the two years since his election, Pope Francis’ tolerant tone has created the space for debate over rigid church doctrine. And for American Catholics, that space is enough for many to hold out hope for change.
Tensions – Some Old, Some New – Won’t Be Ignored When China’s Xi Visits US
Posted September 21st, 2015 at 3:04 pm (UTC-4)
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Xi Jinping has visited the U.S. six times before. But this week’s tour, which begins Tuesday in Washington the state, then to Washington the capital before ending in New York City, will be his first state visit as China’s leader. Activists will clamor for President Barack Obama to denounce the rise in dissident crackdowns. But Beijing’s market roller coaster ride and Xi’s military aggressiveness in the region may force Obama’s hand.
Clock Teen a Case of “Islamophobia” or Political Cynicism?
Posted September 18th, 2015 at 1:42 pm (UTC-4)
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After 14 year-old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested and suspended by Texas school officials and cops, all of whom mistook his homemade clock for a bomb, Twitter lit up with cries of stereotyping and racism. Even President Barack Obama took to Twitter to invite Ahmed to the White House. Most observers agree the school and police handled the situation very badly. But there is strong disagreement over what assumptions were made that resulted in the teen being put in handcuffs.
Republican Carly Fiorina Overshadows Trump
Posted September 17th, 2015 at 3:00 pm (UTC-4)
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When former Hewlitt Packard CEO and Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina said, “I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said” during the party’s second debate, frontrunner Donald Trump, who had made an insulting remark about her looks, was cornered. Among all 16 candidates, the Texas native scored the biggest hit on Trump, boosting her visibility at the same time. Some say the summer fling with Trump is now over and the real race for the nominee has begun.