Update concerning the Congresswoman: Fortunately, Rep. Giffords has continued her miraculously speedy recovery, and is starting rehab. We can only continue to hope and pray that all continues to go well, if not better. In the wake of the assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords by a mentally deranged man – an attack which took … Read more
In January, I talked to Professor Danny Hayes at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University’s School of Public Affairs about prospects for the primary and general presidential elections in 2012. We discussed potential Republican candidates, factors that will affect the outcomes of these elections, and even who might be our next … Read more
Legalization of the oft-stigmatized drug is the only option. I was eating an absolutely delectable meal at the dining hall several nights ago, minding my own business, and savoring the taste of each bite of my popcorn shrimp, when a random outburst from down the table awoke me from my food-induced reverie. “You know, I … Read more
I’d like to take up the question of: what does it mean to be an American? First impressions to the contrary, that isn’t just a question to be confined within berets and bandied across the tables of Starbucks; it touches upon issues of citizenship and immigration, legal and political obligation, and the rights and duties … Read more
The New York Post reports that Marty Peretz is stepping down from his role as editor-in-chief of The New Republic. Further, Peretz seems to be on the losing side of an internal struggle over his writing. In his New York Times profile of Peretz earlier this week, Steven Rodrick writes that Multiple New Republic staff … Read more
When I visited Estonia four weeks ago, I witnessed the bittersweet, albeit largely temperate, passing of the kroon, Estonia’s national currency since 1992. As I, and indeed most of the country, rushed to dump my krooni before Jan. 1st and the euro arrived, I nevertheless held on to a two-krooni note—a relic, no doubt, of a … Read more
Demonstrations all across Egypt have erupted against the government. In Lebanon, protestors have flooded the streets calling for a new government and Tunisia remains in a political turmoil. Arabs across the Middle East are taking things with their own hands asking for freedom of choice. And freedom they shall get, but what will be the … Read more
By many measures, Kishore Mahbubani is one of the leading public figures in Asia. He is currently the Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, a man with an enormous intellect and an illustrious career that few can compare with. From January 2001 to May 2002, he held the position … Read more
Modern Greece has a long history of underground political movements. The Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society) a secret organization in the early 19th century, acted as the catalysts for the successful Greek War of Independence in 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. They mustered support for Greek independence abroad and encouraged dissent across the Greek countryside. Sadly, … Read more
For me, President Obama’s third State of the Union addressed all that I hoped it would. President Obama delivered an eloquent and carefully worded political speech. As expected, the President focused largely, and rightly, on jobs, clinging largely to unifying rhetoric as opposed to digging into the messy details of policy. Last night, President Obama … Read more