paragraph 10-12 are just an interesting summary? of what we discussed about systems and expecting events to conform to our worldview

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/opinion/31douthat.html?src=me&ref=general

Hugh Vondracek

Soldiers and Protesters: Hand in Hand

Similar to change of attitudes in Tunisia, the soldiers in Egypt are now taking a stance with the protesters. Whether it be a friendly smile in recognition and agreement or allowance of protesters to take over soldier vehicles, the soldiers seem to be turning against President Hosni Mubarak.

On the other hand, the police force and Interior Ministry stay tied to the president. The police and Interior Ministry are assumed by protesters and soldiers to be allowing looters to destroy museums, stores, homes, etc. of Egyptian residents. Also, it's believed these looters are under command of President Mubarak. Egyptian civilians are told to protect themselves and their properties by any means because these looters are armed and dangerous.

There stands a debate as to why the soldiers are siding with protesters. Some say it is because they genuinely agree with the rest of the country. Another argument is that the soldiers are doing this to kill time for Mubarak so he can come up with a plan for what he should do.

I happen to believe the soldiers are assuredly in agreement with the protestors. Just as every citizen has had enough of President Mubarak, the soldiers have as well. Soldiers and protestors alike are aiming for positive, progressive change.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/29/AR2011012903283.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2011012806535

Samantha Khalifeh

TA: Armel / Friday 1-1:50 pm

Shouldn't we all have Internet Freedom???

It is amazing how technology has become a major source of communication over the years. With Egypt and Tunisia government shutting down its internet access only speaks volumes to how the protesters are successfully bringing awareness to their problems. Even though I do not agree with what Egypt and Tunisia is doing, however does the U.S have a right to warn or stop them? I mean is the social network a right or just a privilege?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012804554.html?sid=ST2011012806871

Jasmine Brown

Revolt in Egypt, Protesters Defy Mubarak's Orders

NY TIMES article

In his attempt to save his authoritarian government Mubarak established a curfew in Egypt. He also decided to limit communication, by limiting access to the Internet and telecommunication systems. Mubarak attempt to control the protesters only angered people more leading to open revolt. The crowds are unsatisfied with Mubarak's government and the highly politicized military. The people are tired of the oppression, and it does not seem that Mubarak is willing to change. While he did make a speech in which he promises to change some of his ministers the people have lost hope in him saying they have heard that before.

The Egyptians really seem fed up with the current government, and it is not just one group for many people men and women, young and old, are coming together. The people of Egypt are taking a stand and it seems that they are getting somewhere as Mubarak's word and will is ignored and Egyptians are taking control of streets, and causing damage to the party's head quarters.

Iliana Miranda
Section 16198 (F 10AM)

Egypt must listen to its people: U.N. chief

http://www.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/01/28/switzerland.davos.ban.annan/index.html

It's amazing to see how the need for democracy is evolving in the Middle East lately. Especially when the people are tired of being oppressed by their authoritarian leaders. If the Egyptian government wants to control the situation accordingly, as the U.N. chief mentions, the government must focus on the people's needs and aspirations so that they can to create an environment where the people have the rights to engage not only in the social life but also in the everyday political decision making.

Hermane Louis ( Armel 10 am)

Extra Credit

Guidelines for Extra Credit for Spring 2011

You may choose to either write a report on a movie or a book (treat an event or lecture as a book) for extra credit. This report is due when you hand in your final paper but the points can be applied to any test or paper. The movie review will be worth up to 7 points; a book/event review will be worth up to 14 points. You can do a lecture/book or lecture/movie, but not movie/book combo.

Details:
Movie: The movie must deal with international issues including anything we have covered in class. No movies on interpersonal relationships or tenuous connections to international events will be accepted (no Borat). The movie can come from any time period. It would be best to get the movie approved before you watch. You must write at least a 4 page paper that will include one half review of the movie and the issues it covers. The second half will consider how it is relevant to the class and what lessons we can take from it. This assignment will be graded like any other essay, 7 points are not guaranteed. I do NOT want a recap of the movie, I want a review in the style of something the New Yorker would do.

Book/Lecture Event: The book must deal with contemporary international issues. It should be published after 9/11. The same issues mentioned in the movie option are fair game. It would be best to get the book approved by me before attempting to write a review. Your review must be at least 7 pages. It should be completed like your normal required book report (1/3 review, 1/3 connection to international issues, and 1/3 criticisms or support). This assignment will be graded like any other essay, 14 points are not guaranteed. I do NOT want a recap of the book/event. For events and lectures, student should attach some documentation of attendance.

Foreign Relations Complications in Pakistan

3 Dead in Possible Robbery of U.S. Official in Pakistan

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/asia/28pakistan.html?_r=1

The already strained relations between U.S. and Pakistan have taken another hit, as a U.S. diplomat has killed 3 men in Lahore. Mr. Raymond Davis claims that he has done so in self-defense, claim reinforced by photos of his vehicle with numerous bullet holes and a shattered rear window.

The accounts differ, with western newspapers reporting that he was confronted by two men on a motorbike armed with weapons at a traffic light. Mr. Davis went on to fire upon the individuals with his unsanctioned firearm (Beretta); U.S. foreign diplomats are not supposed to carry arms and their security is supposed to be provided by Consul staff. He killed both of the attackers, but the way by which the 3rd one has died remains to be clearly defined. Some newspapers are running the story that Mr. Davis ran him over, some claim that he was shot, while the other have stated that there was a 2nd car that has struck the 3rd individual. At this point, reliability of information is murky, with local newspapers claiming that he was a "foreigner" (thepakistaninewspaper.com/news_detail.php?id=18912), forgetting to mention that he is a diplomat.

The situation in the region is likely to heat up in regards to the incident because of the already present popular dislike of U.S. presence in Pakistan. It is a vital ally to the U.S. and at the same time a safe haven for Taliban that use the Afghanistan/Pakistan border as safe haven bases for future attacks. The situation is developing along the lines that do not see a favorable PR outcome for U.S.

-Blog post by Danil Khrustov

Will the Yemeni president flee as well?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12295864

There have been a lot of protest in Yemen as well. They are asking for justice and an end to poverty as well as many other problems facing the country. Hope has been giving to the people in due to the uprising in Tunisia that led the president to flee. Just like other Democracies
in the Middle East, the president Ali Abdullah Saleh has been in power for more than 30 years.

Afghanistan inaugurates new parliament

Afghanistan's new parliament was inaugurated in Kabul on Wednesday, four months after a nationwide election that critics said was marked by extensive fraud. This ended the political standoff between the president and parliament. The president had refused to swear in the new parliament until the electoral court he established in December was able to review complaints from losing candidates. But even still the United States praised the inauguration on Wednesday.

Last week, Karzai's office announced a one-month delay in inaugurating parliamentary members, saying the special court on election fraud needed more time to investigate complaints from losing candidates. Reviewing the election last year in November, the Electoral Complaint Commission threw out more than 1 million ballots from about 3,000 polling stations because of suspected fraud.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/26/afghanistan.politics/index.html

~~~ Joe Kamper
~~~ Section 16199

Egypt has banned street protests

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12283849

Apparently, one day after thousands of people joined a "day of revolt" against the government of President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has decided to ban all "public gatherings, protests and marches".

-Chris Rivera

section 16199

2011 State of the Union Transcript

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/State_of_the_Union/state-of-the-union-2011-full-transcript/story?id=12759395

and this is a sorta cool break down of this and past speeches

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/01/25/us/politics/state-of-the-union-words-used.html?hp

Hugh Vondracek

16197

Hilary Clinton vows support for Mexico in drug war.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/24/AR2011012401886.html

The article I have found was a relation between the U.S and Mexico. The article explained how Hilary Clinton a U.S official vowed support for Mexico in the drug war. I found this article interesting because this has been going on for sometime now and its only getting worse.

In the article it explained that last year was the most violent year since the Mexican Revolution, with more than 15,000 deaths related to narcotics. Based on Hilary Clintons visit she concluded that Mexico needed a well-equipped, well trained justice system and added " We stand ready to assist in that work."

I understand we are defiantly getting impacted by this as well, but is it really time for us to back Mexico's anti-drug fight. Or do we just take matters into our own hands and protect ourselves???

This question is directed towards everyone. I would like to hear your opinions because the US government has committed to support the anti-drug fight with at least $1.6 billion in equipment and training. I know this is just the start and we will most likely spend more.

What do you think?

Vince Manno Section- Ryan Maness

We talked about this in our section on Friday, I just thought you guys might also get a laugh out of this

Sometimes the world can be a scary place, especially when the government created the entire world and controls the weather. Oh, and can shoot a 38 under par on a golf course.

-John Sorensen

Ali Baba gone, but what about the 40 thieves?

The flight of Tunisia’s longtime president leaves the small country he ruled and robbed in upheaval. Its Arab neighbours wonder whether it’s the start of a trend

http://www.economist.com/node/17959620?story_id=17959620

Just calling attention to what is going on in Tunisia. The "Jasmine" Revolution (revolt) of the current secular government and politics has led to an immediate need for change. It is questionable if the answer is a transition to multiparty democracy because there does not seem to be a sure leader to replace Ali Baba, and the new political model suggested does not seem to be approved by the majority of citizens.

Lauren Van Diggelen 16198

American guns for trigger happy Mexicans

In this NYT article you can read about how drug cartels in Mexico are able to buy assault riffles in America and the inability of American authorities to stop it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/us/15guns.html?pagewanted=1

For those of you who can read Spanish this article goes over a study written by Colby Goodman and Michel Marizco from the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The name of the study is "U.S Firearms trafficking to Mexico: New Data an Insights Illuminate Key Trends and Challenges"

http://www.claei.org.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171:mexico-80-de-las-armas-del-crimen-viene-de-estados-unidos&catid=9:estados-unidos&Itemid=6

This is the website of the study I mentioned above. It is in English.

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/U.S.%20Firearms%20Trafficking%20to%20Mexico-%20Goodman%20Final.pdf

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I think that this topic is one of those that American officials choose not to talk about. Perhaps because it has to do with guns and the enforcement of controls over guns and gun dealers to be able to stop the smuggling of guns into Mexico from the United States. However, I wonder when the American government will get serious about what's happening in Mexico. There have been 30,000 deaths in Mexico since 2006, there are phantom cities in the northern states and many areas in the country where the presence of the Mexican government is non-existent. The study, from which I provided the link above, states "In May 2010, the Mexican government declared that out of the 75,000 guns confiscated in that period [2007-2010], approximately 80%, which means 60,000 firearms, arrived from the United States".

Perhaps, America will pay attention to this problem when street shoot-outs in American cities don't involve gangbangers and uzis rolling in a 1997 Pontiac but rather organized drug cartels carrying AK-47s, AR-15s and grenades in armored Chevy Tahoes.

Eduardo Alvarez/

US/Pakistani War on Terror

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. met with Senior Pakistani officials to discuss military operations in the North of Waziristan.

Here is the NY Times Article : http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/world/asia/13pakistan.html?_r=1&ref=world

The article says some interesting things, but apparently people and sources in Pakistan do not share the same thoughts and are not consistent with the information given.

Here is what Imran Khan (Leader of a rapidly growing political party) had to say about U.S operations to CNN : http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/01/04/ps.imran.khan.pakistan.cnn?iref=allsearch

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Make up your own minds, but it seems like the U.S feel the operation is working, and are saying "do more", and the Pakistani's (with good reason) that the operation is counterproductive. Since the operation has begun, Pakistan has been the victim of over a thousand terrorist attacks now. U.S drone attacks had killed approximately 2200 people in Pakistan, majority being civilians - this being the cause of civilians turning into extremists and promoting anti-Americanism. Wikileaks also revealed that Pakistani leaders while condemning drone attacks in the parliament, secretly supported the strikes.

The American strategy in the area seems very unclear, and it is hard to say what the right action for them to take would be. And if the Pakistani government and the United States is trying to convince the Pakistani people that the U.S. is with them... then in my opinion, there definitely seems to be a problem. What do you think?

- Abu Bakr Agha / Pols 184 / 16201