It reads like something out of a Cold War drama: a former Soviet satellite convulsing with protestors; a communist sympathizing President ousted from power; statues of Lenin toppling across the country; and a battle for influence between old-time geopolitical foes. In the balance hangs the future of Ukraine, along with the fortunes of its 46 … Read more
Yo-Yo Ma ’76 is a world-renowned cellist, the recipient of over 15 Grammy Awards, and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Harvard Political Review: You initiated the Silk Road Ensemble, which fosters collaboration with artists from around the world. What role do you see music having in prompting global dialogue and political change? Yo … Read more
On March 4, 2014, Rabbi Bruce Warshal wrote a column announcing that the he was dissociating from Hillel International because of its restrictions surrounding discourse on Israel-Palestine. A former Israeli Defense Force soldier was barred from speaking at the University of Pennsylvania because his presentation on the IDF’s abuses to Palestinians threatened Hillel International’s goals … Read more
Since taking the helm of the Catholic Church in March 2013, Pope Francis has shown a clear willingness to make waves in the sea of the faithful. While American Catholics have historically been divided between liberal and conservative factions, Francis has introduced a new perspective that, in theory, could reshape existing Catholic political alignments. Without … Read more
On February 26, Egypt’s most powerful man, Minister of Defense and Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, declared that he would not run for president, according to a Reuters-documented government source. After months of speculation, the Egyptian people, weathered by three years of sporadic revolutionary activity and starved of much-needed economic and political change, were looking … Read more
“The free communication of thoughts and of opinions is one of the most precious rights of man …” Thus begins Article XI of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The document signifies a landmark in the history of human rights, no doubt. But it contains an unavoidably moral approach to … Read more
Barack Obama will be visiting Harvard Square on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 5th to attend a “DNC Roundtable.” The event is being hosted by a DNC supporter, likely in or near the Charles Hotel between 3pm and 6pm, based on road closures and the limited closure of the Charles Hotel parking garage. The event’s … Read more
In 2007, Pete Stark (D-Calif.) came out as America’s first-ever congressional nonbeliever—accidentally. When the Secular Coalition of America (SCA) sent out a form asking members of Congress about their views on various issues related to the separation of church and state, Stark checked the wrong box in haste and labeled himself an atheist. Instead of totally walking … Read more
Russian tanks and troops descend upon the Crimean peninsula. The Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk describes the situation as a “red alert” and “a declaration of war.” NATO calls an emergency meeting. The UN Security Council convenes to assess the situation. President Obama gets on the phone with allies in Europe and even speaks … Read more
Two movies that premiered in November 2013 differed in genre, rating, target audience, and production studio, among other things, but shared two critical features: they were among the most successful movies of the year, and they both had female protagonists. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the sequel to the popular 2012 movie The Hunger Games … Read more