Violence in Syria has dramatically increased recently. The pressures on the Assad regime continue to build, the Arab League has been ineffective, and the United Nations is stymied by Russian and Chinese opposition to some form of intervention. One of the most astute analysts of events in the Middle East is Rami G. Khouri, who writes for the Beirut newspaper, The Daily Star. His essay on possible endgames in Syria is both thoughtful and provocative.
A frequent topic of conversation revolves around the question of whether the United States is a nation in decline. Realists have an interesting take on this particular question. One of the most astute realists in the US is a Harvard Professor by the name of Stephen Walt. He has written extensively on the question and here is one of his more recent essays.
Globalization is a very different process to analyze–there are so many moving parts to it, and broad-brush assessments of whether it is good or bad are difficult to prove. But it is also a process that has accelerated during a period in which the efforts of citizens to voice their opinions through non-governmental channels. Thus, we have new sources of information upon which we can make partial assessments. Linda Gree, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, gives a good example of how these voices can implement change.
NASA has released a very dramatic (and sobering) video of temperature changes on the planet over the last century. It’s hard to watch this video and not come to the conclusion that something is seriously amiss.
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