Blogs

In 1869, the ceremonial “Last Spike” of the world’s first transcontinental was driven into the ground at Promontory Heights, Utah. Not only did it revolutionize transportation in the United States, but also it instantly became a proud symbol of American progress, optimism, and audacity. Now, well over a century later, there is a great deal of uncertainty about America’s future as the United States seems lacking in the progressive optimism that brought it to the top. But the question I’m concerned with at the moment is much simpler, though perhaps equally enigmatic: What happened to the American rail system? full story »

On Feburary 4^th, the Scotland Rugby Team will stand on the pitch of Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium and listen to “God Save the Queen.” The 60,000 tartan supporters, UK citizens, will remain largely silent throughout. A boo or two may even make its way through the stands.  Then with saltires waving and bagpipes playing, the Scots will proudly sing:

                        O Flower of Scotland,

                        When will we see your like again full story »

Christians in Iraq belong to some of the oldest Christian sects in the entire world, but since the United States pulled out its troops last month, many believe that their future may be threatened. The rise of militant Islam has caused a Christian exodus from Iraq, even during the American occupation. full story »

The riots that have been rocking Southwestern Kazakhstan since Friday have already led to forty casualties and at least fourteen deaths as protestors clash with police. Official government sources have referred to the rioters as mere “hooligans” and remain confident that the government will be able to put down the protests. They continue to assure outside observers that oil production will not be interrupted by the protests. Even so, the situation is reminiscent of the countless anti-government protests that have been spreading across the Middle East and Central Asia all year. Kazakhstan’s government seems to need only a small push to be on the verge of collapse – probably for the best. full story »

In 1888, Brazil became the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery. However, even today, many Brazilians – some say as many as 250,000 – are working under conditions not so dissimilar to those faced by slaves over a century ago.

In the northeastern state of Pará, slaves are commonly the ones who do the backbreaking work of turning wood into charcoal. full story »

Maybe Turkey isn’t fit for Europe after all. And maybe, Europe isn’t fit for Turkey either. Many Europeans have long been hostile to Turkey’s bid for accession to the EU, while many Turks have always seen EU membership as central to the country’s future. Now the hostility is mutual. full story »

What makes Syria different from Libya is not just its multi-religious, multiethnic societal fabric, but also the different level of domestic, regional, and international involvement in Syria’s crisis. In Libya’s case, there was more domestic and international involvement. Hundreds of thousands of people and opposition groups expressed their dissatisfaction with the Qaddafi regime world-wide. full story »

The alleged plot to murder the Saudi ambassador to the United States has triggered anxieties about Iran’s policies toward Arab countries specifically Saudi Arabia, and its intentions for regional hegemony. With the advent of the Arab Spring, Iran has been attempting to affect developments in almost every nation it believes it has a claim to — Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Many Arab nations view these actions as unwelcome Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the “Arab world,” particularly Saudi Arabia. full story »

Having taught Sarah Emily Shroud and her fiancé Shane Michael Bauer in Damascus, Syria, I was able to learn about their goals and aspirations, one of which was to leave the comfort of their homes in the US to help poor communities living in the Middle East. They strived to use their privileged status, education, and experiences to help those living under a dollar a day. Sarah and Shaun did this in various ways such as teaching refugees in Damascus and helping the people to chart their way. Having gotten to know the couple, I learned that their intentions in the Middle East were not political but rather, humanitarian. full story »

Beyond the Debt Limit Debate

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' surprise appearance to the chamber, for the first time since being shot in the head in January, demonstrates a point beyond the vote for raising or limiting the debt ceiling. It also represents the amount of sacrifice and compromise required to serve the needs of millions of students, seniors and unemployed workers whose livelihoods should be the top priority for all public officials in this time of crisis. full story »