The New Horsemen of Secession

One of the most common motifs in world politics has been fragmentation along sectarian lines. Since the Biblical breakup of Solomon’s kingdom to now in South Sudan, nationalistic, ethnic, and cultural divisions express themselves through movements for secession: the breaking off of one part from a sovereign, whole state entity. In 1900, there were 57 … Read more

Weighing In: On the Death of a Symbol

On Monday night, thousands of people across the United States rejoiced after the death of the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  Here at Harvard, celebrations were much the same.  When walking home from a meeting, I received several messages from other politicos on campus, and got wind of a large gathering that was brewing … Read more

Not So Affirmative

Donald Trump, a prospective Republican presidential candidate and television celebrity, has taken to personally attacking the President’s credentials as a recent and burgeoning pastime. Recently, however, he may have struck a bit close to home for students like us at Harvard and its peer schools: he has questioned President Obama’s membership in the Ivy League. … Read more

Ruth Wisse Preempts Sandra vs. Ketan

(The title should actually read “anticipates” or “predicts,” not “preempts,” but I couldn’t resist) Anyway, look at what she told Eli for his book review last cycle: Ruth Wisse nonetheless feels just the opposite: George W. Bush was a bona fide neoconservative mostly because of his foreign policy. “Bush really took evil seriously,” she says, … Read more

On the Celebration of Death

On the Celebration of Death

Last night, hundreds of excited Harvard students gathered outside my window in Matthews. Chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and singing “God Bless America” and “Ten Thousand Men of Harvard,” these joyous, debatably sober, vuvuzela-carrying Harvard students celebrated the death of America’s most-hated enemy: Osama bin Laden. The ralliers in the Yard mimicked those outside the White House … Read more