“All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last.” –Marcel Proust, In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower Last night, I decided to go to law school. This morning, I resolved to pursue a career in diplomacy. And all of this afternoon, I have been agonizing … Read more
On the evening of Friday, February 27th, Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was murdered on a bridge in Moscow just minutes away from the Kremlin. Nemtsov, a vocal opponent of the Putin regime, had planned to lead a rally protesting Russian military involvement in Ukraine on March 1st and intended to publish a pamphlet entitled … Read more
Editor’s note: below, writers Jacob Carrel and Advik Shreekumar present differing interpretations of Gov. Walker’s media appearances. Far from a Wonk A number of recent press reports have discussed how Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has failed to answer seemingly basic questions appropriately, including “punting” on whether he believes in evolution and his failure to distance … Read more
A quick Internet search on sexual assault might give you the idea that 2014 was, as one article put it, “The Year the Crusade Against ‘Rape Culture’ Stumbled.” News such as the misinformation in the Rolling Stone’s account of an alleged rape at the University of Virginia (UVA) or the re-examination of commonly espoused … Read more
Binyamin Netanyahu has a habit of getting reelected. But make no mistake, the United States is the only place these days where Bibi still gets standing ovations. Inside Israel, the attitude towards Bibi is one of resignation, at best. Etgar Keret, the famed Israeli short story writer, put it best in a letter to fellow … Read more
As ballot day approaches for Israelis, observers and commentators around the world perk up their ears, make their predictions, and voice their opinions. Some of these opinions, however, tend to be louder than others. Staunchly opposed to Israeli nationalist policy, the international “hacktivist” group Anonymous has carried out its now-annual take-down-Israel cyber operation, which they … Read more
When the Israeli public goes to the polls on March 17, the legacy of one man will sit firmly at the forefront of their mind, regardless of their voting preference: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Netanyahu has sought to demonstrate his importance as the defender of the nation, speaking to the U.S. Congress on March 3rd … Read more
International issues of security and terrorism have traditionally represented Israel in the world headlines. However, voters in the upcoming parliamentary elections face questions other than just those of Palestinian settlements and the ongoing threat of Iran. They are looking at wildly volatile prices and an economy that has arguably become more inequitable under Netanyahu’s stewardship, … Read more
Last week, the Harvard Undergraduate Council brought the issue of feminism to the forefront of public discourse through the launch of their campaign Side by Side. The feminist ideal seems simple: it is a movement fighting for gender equality. Its moral code seems as indisputable as the golden rule, and yet people see the feminist movement … Read more
When North Korea makes international headlines, it is often about Kim Jong Un and his latest threats against South Korea and the United States. When human rights in the country are discussed, it is often in relation to labor camps and food shortages. However, what is often overlooked are humanitarian issues like tuberculosis (TB), a … Read more