This probably doesn't count anymore

June 3rd, 2014, WSJ, Brian Spegele, Josh Chin, “China Quiets Dissent on Anniversary” The 4th is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown that left hundreds if not thousands dead. This year is the 25th. Student protesters in 1989 were assaulted by the full force of Chinese military. China has swept the protests under the rug, but globalization, Chinese students studying in the U.S., and increased access to the internet, the Communist party worried that this year would be the year for revival – so they jailed anyone and everyone in the Chinese activist world and essentially shut down the internet. Historically, the man with the groceries standing down the tank has meant many things to many people. The captioned picture shows protesters in Hong Kong, who have more Civil and Political Liberties than those in Mainland China, acting out the scene with the unidentified man with groceries standing down a Party Tank in Tiananmen Square – a visual that has truly inspired me as a student and will continue to do so for many young Chinese citizens. It seems unthinkable, even in Hong Kong, that anyone would be doing this. It just really struck me. Mitch Wood

South Korea Gives PH a Warship To Keep Eye on China

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/south-korea-gives-philippines-warship-monitor-china-1451706

In a June 7, 2014 International Business Times online article titled, "South Korea Gives Philippines Warship to Monitor China," author Mark Piggot describes the ongoing debacle in the Pacific between China and countries with territory in and around the South and East China seas. Most importantly over the course of the past week, the Philippines have purchased 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea, the South Koreans also loaned the Philippines a battleship to keep an eye on the Chinese, possibly for deterrence purposes, but definitely not for provocative purposes. Perhaps the real agenda is to show China that these countries, albeit small, are not afraid and will band together to defend themselves, if necessary.

The Chinese are also at odds with Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, as well as the United States. Recently, the United States released statements condemning China for being a bully in the region. It is clear that Chinese interests are economically motivated in their slow, but steady takeover of the $4 trillion trade route. The United States also signed a mutual defense agreement with the Philippines and also have interests to protect Japan. The United States' presence in the region has increased greatly over the past decade, but still are not near the level of involvement pre-1990's.

The possible implications of this disagreement in the Pacific are grave. Hopefully an agreement can be reached, but that would involve Chinese cooperation of which they have refused on multiple occasions.

By Christopher M. Vacek

World Cup Probs

Brazil is preparing for the World Cup that many people around the world will be watching on Thursday, June 12th. However, one of the host cities, Sao Paulo, is looking at having more than just soccer matches to worry about. Metro workers took the streets as part of a union strike this past Thursday leaving the city to deal with severe traffic issues. The workers demand a 12.2% pay raise and will not stop the strike until their demands have been met. The courts have offered them an 8.7% increase in pay but after the workers rejected their proposal, the courts have announced that any person who does not return to work by Monday will be would be dismissed. With the World Cup being less than a week ahead, the city has a lot of pressure to resolve this problem. Who do you think will win this battle?

Ana Mayo

Iranian and US diplomats to meet for nuclear programme negotiations

Iranian, United States and European Union officials will begin talks about Tehran's nuclear program on Monday--thus moving towards ending a decade-old dispute. Bill Burns, who negotiated an interim nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States, is the head delegate for the United States during these two day talks. Talks in Vienna last month state Iran is looking to maintain an excessive uranium enrichment capability. Officials from Iran argue that they are trying to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers of oil for it's nuclear reactors.

Monday's talks seem to be a step in the right direction for Iranian-U.S. relations. U.S. officials have stated the upcoming meetings with Iran are critical to reaching a diplomatic agreement on Iran's nuclear program. The talks will also concern sanctions on Iran that have damanged the OPEC member's oil-dependent economy.

Tess Godhardt

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/08/iran-us-nuclear-talks-geneva-eu-diplomats

Boko Haram Kills Hundreds More In Village Raids

Move on over Taliban, the Boko Haram is the newest most violent threat. The Boko Haram is a group of Islamic militants who don't agree with anything Western. This is also the group that abducted nearly 300 girls in Nigeria a little over a month ago. This time they are raiding villages and killing people. They have targeted villages in Nigeria's northeast Borno State. They are said to ride up on motorcycles and in big military trucks, posing like military officials and telling the people of the villages that they are there to protect them from the Boko Haram. They ask them to assemble, separate the boys and men and open fire on them. No one was discriminated in these attacks. Men, women, and children were killed making the death toll rise between 400 and 500 people. Other attacks have been carried out by this group, killing thousands of people in the last five years.

Hearing about this group is really starting to anger me, and I'm positive that it has started to anger many more. Something needs to be done about them because the Nigerian government is sitting on their thumbs. They know where those girls are, but the leader of Nigeria doesn't want to use force in order to get them out. A little conspiracy theory is that he's either just lazy, or he's one of them. Honestly, I get so angry about this. Just send some people in, kill them and don't bother asking any questions because they make home videos as to why they do this. I don't want to hear the news sensationalizing these people because everything is laid out. I am really surprised that the US government hasn't said a peep about any of this. They are just as threatening as the Taliban.

For more on this story: http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/05/world/africa/boko-haram-village-raids/index.html?hpt=wo_bn7


-Liz Brennan

Three Men Escape Quebec Jail

Just this afternoon, three men escaped a jail in Quebec with the use of a helicopter. The green helicopter was reported landing in the courtyard of the jail and picking up the criminals before fleeing westbound. The three men have been linked to a criminal organization, though not much detail has been released on that organization in particular. Quebec Provincial Police are actively participating in a massive search for these criminals with the help of Canada and the United States, but have had no luck so far. Quebec Provincial Police have advised that if these dangerous men are spotted to not approach them directly, as the three are considered dangerous criminals. The Quebec Provincial Police are also requesting anyone with information that could possibly help the search assist by reporting all known information.
-Larry Holman
PSC102

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2014/06/08/bts-ctv-three-men-escape-jail-in-helicopter.ctv.html

Contemporary Artist Guo Jian to be Deported from China

     This story is particularly interesting to me since I am an art major. It's not every day you see an artist making world headlines. Guo Jian is a contemporary artist working in China who recently constructed a large diorama of Tiananmen Square and completely covered the surface of the sculpture with ground pork. It might sound odd to outsiders, especially those who do not understand contemporary art. However, the idea behind the work is powerful when one remembers the violent crackdown on protesters by the military. The ground pork symbolizes the stacked and rotting bodies that the artist witnessed outside the hospitals immediately after the event. The Chinese government said that they were holding Guo Jian on a visa issue, not in relation to his controversial work. The artist's colleagues, however, say otherwise. This news is alarming considering the Chinese government's treatment of another prominent contemporary artist - Ai Weiwei.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/06/world/asia/china-guo-jian-deportation/index.html?hpt=wo_t2

Pakistani Taliban Infighting

Since the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group's leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a November U.S. drone strike, the group has been experiencing a fair amount of infighting. This culminated recently in the killing of the so-called explosive mastermind Ashiqullah Mehsud on thursday. Since the leader was killed, the group failed to come to an agreement on who the next leader should be, so the "Mehsud" faction of the group has decided to split. They have alleged that the TTP has engaged in un-Islamic practices such as kidnapping and extortion. It's interesting to see that even a terrorist organization can face such problems given their overall objective. Nonetheless, this raises the question as to how effective this group will continue to be in the future. 

Alec Phillipp

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/06/world/asia/pakistan-taliban-commander-killed/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

'I'm not going to Brazil' hashtag tackles World Cup

A hashtag trend that started in Colombia is used to protest again the World Cup in Brazil. The World Cup is a couple of days away but people are still using the media to speak on why they are not going to Brazil. These hashtags are main coming from Latin America and Spain and they are a response to poor development, political system, and corruptions of Brazil.

Example of hashtag:  “Brazil needs good education and health, not COPA. And much less of you gringos.#NoVoyABrasilPorque"

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201406062029-0023802

Zahabu Lenning 

Why Modi is No Erdogan

India has a new Prime Minister and he was not huge on the international political scene before he gained this title. Because of this everyone was scrambling to figure out what this new guy meant for Indian politics and many people were thrown into the mix. Eventually everyone in the comparison game came to the the general consensus was that Prime Minister Modi was most similar to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. There are some pretty impressive similarities. Upon further reflection though, there are some pretty important differences. Its also important to note the differences between the two governments of India and Turkey. Even if the new Prime Minister was as extreme as Tayyip Erdogan, there are systems in place in India to keep him in check. No to mention, so far Prime Minister Modi seems to have completely different goals for India than Erdogan does for Turkey. Mr. Modi seems to monitor himself much better than Mr. Erdogan. India is on the fast track to fully embracing globalization and all it has to offer. The Prime Minister seems to reflect that. I see the comparisons between the two drying up as quickly as they came out. I am very interested to watch India's progress under the rule of Narendra Modi.

The article can be accessed here.

Katie Krupica

Urged to Multiply, Iranian Couples Are Dubious

Urged to Multiply, Iranian Couples Are Dubious

In Tehran, Iran there is an increasing number of young, middle-class Iranians who want children. Iran’s leaders are worried about the steep decline in fertility rates that they have taken an initiative t persuade Iranian families to have more children. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni announce last month a 14-point program that health officials hope will lead to doubling the population to 150 million by 2050. Hospital delivery stays are now free, and women are allowed longer maternity leave. Past policies to control population growth have been reversed, so the government has canceled subsidies for condoms and birth control pills and vasectomies are no longer free. There are now billboards in the capital showing a father with five children happy and a father with only one child unhappy. As well, parents who have five children are now eligible for $1,500 bonus. However, it does not seem that many of the young middle-class Iranians will be tempted to have children because they not only feel that they can’t afford to, but they also do not want a child born into the situation that Iran is in. Experts believe that if there are more permanent jobs that will allow people to feel more stable and secure that they would then be more willing to have children. Since currently young individuals are having difficulties affording rent, they are less willing to marry and have children because it will only make the situation worse. If the economy can change and provide more security, then the population will begin to increase.

Monique Martinez

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/world/middleeast/iran-tehran-offers-incentives-to-middle-class-families-to-have-more-children-as-population-declines.html?rref=world&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=World&pgtype=article

Hong Kong Democracy

On June 4^th, in Hong Kong, more 100,000 gathered in this semiautonomous Chinese city. The gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown 25 years ago and 1,000 miles away in Beijing, where the mainland government still forbids citizens from discussing the pro-democracy movement. People in Hong Kong want a democratic government, but are opposed by the pro-Beijing people and the Chinese government. This celebration heightened the tensions with Beijing are domestic issues such as elections in 2017, which will for the first time be held under a system of universal voting.

-Antonio Sobevski

http://www.kgw.com/news/Hong-Kong-Tiananmen-anniversary-261862261.html

At Swearing-In, Sisi Vows to Lead an ‘Inclusive’ Egypt

      On Sunday in Cairo Egypt,  Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the former general who led the military take over a year ago, was sworn in as President. He is supposedly a strong man who in hopes of all people could fix the dysfunctional economy and the political polarization that has been going on for the past three years with the open democracy in Egypt. He pledged that he will work on gaining security and stabilizing Egypt and the region. Since 2011 it seems as if the country was facing long, challenging revolutions that led to a military takeover in 2013 after forcing out former President Hosni Mubarak. The new elected President sounds more promising to the people stating that the differences in all people will be worked out by voicing the different opinions, "the differences are enriching and diversifying, and bestowing the spirit of cooperation and love on our shared patriotic labors."
      The inaugural ceremony suggested that the president is in full control of the Egyptian state. There is supposedly little expectation of legislative, judicial or bureaucratic checks on his power. Egypt seems to be on the right path with the joy of citizens who are only wishing for a change for the better in the region which they seem to believe will happen according to Judge Sami who said that they see “a bright tomorrow and a new birth.” He sounds like a promising President to me and I only hope for the best for the Egyptians who have gone through troubling times in the past few years.

 -Monica Gryszowka



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/world/middleeast/sisi-sworn-in-as-egypts-president.html?ref=world

Israeli Peace Seeker Tries Yet Again

Pope Francis prepared to enter peacemaking talks today. The main concern is peace between Israel and Palestine. Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious  leaders will be meeting together today. They have been unable to sustain peace in the area since the signing of the Oslo Accords 20 years ago.

The 90 year old Israeli President, Shimon Peres's term will be ending in July. He hopes to bring agreements of peace between the two areas before the end of his term. However, Mr. Peres currently has very limited power. Some say the participation of Mr. Peres is a sign that there are few options remaining to start peace talks once again. In addition, many Palestinians don't think he will help the situation since he failed to help give Palestine their own state, which was promised in the Oslo Accords.Not to mention, the creation of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory during the beginning of his term. Few think he will be alive to see the formation of a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has been urging the U.S and other western states to reject the formation of a Palestinian government . In addition, he has ordered construction of 1,500 of new housing units on lands that have already been claimed by Palestinians. This has already increased the tension. It will be interesting to see if peace talks will start again.

I find this article interesting because I will be traveling with North Central's Breakaway to Israel and Palestine this August!! I am very excited!

-Jackie Bland

http://online.wsj.com/articles/popes-mideast-effort-faces-political-static-1402082987

"Ukraine's New Leader Stands Up to Moscow Over Crimea and Europe"

by Richard Balmforth

Ukraine just elected the "Chocolate King" as their new President. Petro Poroshenko gained a fortune as a confectionery entrepreneur.

The billionaire has publicly announced that his country would not give up Crimea to Russia in his inaugural speech on Saturday.

He spoke of peace as he assured that any Russian national would be allowed to turn back now without charges. Granted, according the Putin, they are not helping the separatists in the East. Furthermore, Poroshenko promises more power to the governments in Eastern Ukraine to make their own decisions. There are also promises of rights to Russian-speakers.

The separatists respond with hostility to the idea that they lay down their arms to Ukraine. The separatists have already created what they call a "people's republic." They have only responded to Poroshenko with insistence of their own separation.

This new president seems to want to end the conflict without bloodshed, but this may just be posturing, and the opposite side certainly does not appear to be at any hurry to end it without a fight.

To read full article, click here.

Katie Madel

Bilateral meetings regarding Iran's emerging Nuclear program

The United States and Iran are due to sit down and discuss the importance of diplomacy as Iranian Nuclear weapons gain legitimacy throughout the international community. The meetings kicked off last month between the U.S, Iran and six other world powers, hosted in Vienna. The so called "P5+1" process hit rough water when all countries represented felt the others had deeply unrealistic demands for negotiations, one including limiting Tehran's nuclear development in exchanged for dropped sanctions. 

I was happily surprised to see myself reading about such negotiations with new insight into the remarkable complexities that are apart of making bilateral decision, with the agreement of all parties participating needed to succeed. The Global Simulation (on top of being an engaging and enjoyable activity) provided me with some serious insight into the difficulty of any negotiation, let alone those involving Nuclear weapons and the argument of proliferation. 

-Alexandra Dominguez 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/7/iran-america-bilateral.html 

Freedom of Speech, anyone?

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/world/africa/nigerian-newspaper-weekly-trust-says-army-blocked-distribution.html?ref=world

In a classic move to suppress things it doesn't want to hear, another government has censored (or in this case, stopped distribution altogether) a domestic newspaper. This time, the paper is Weekly Trust, based in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Days earlier, the very same newspaper made accusations about the military, saying generals of using an army barracks for personal use. So in response, the weekly Saturday paper was not allowed to be shipped out to the population thanks to armed soldiers showing up at the door of the Weekly Trust and performing a "routine security action."

Sue Valentine, the Africa program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists which is a watchdog group based in New York said that by destroying the papers, it plants the seeds of rumors and distrust. When you try and cover up corruption charges by doing something that is corrupt, you're bound to get people's attention.When the military shows up and starts going through your paper word by word to look for security risks, the government is risking bad face with other nations because we all know how precious freedom of speech and freedom of the press are to the people in this day and age, especially in a democracy like America.

-Max Kachinske

Poroshenko has "tough words" for Russia

Petro Poroshenko, a pro-European billionaire, was sworn in as Ukraine's fifth president. Poroshenko was very vocal in his promise to end the separatist insurrection in the east and he also expressed a new resolve that Russia would not have its way. During his inaugural address, Poroshenko called for the rebel fighters in eastern Ukraine to put down their weapons and stop fighting. He also promised a safe return home for Russian mercenaries. However, Poroshenko was very clear in that there would be no negotiations with armed insurgents, which raises the "prospect of further bloodshed as the Ukrainian military seeks to squash the rebellion".
During the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day in France, the U.S and its Western allies expressed a new hope of a democratic resolution with Russia after meetings with Putin. However, the relationship between Ukraine and Russia is still unclear. Poroshenko told Putin that Ukraine would never accept Russia's annexation of Crimea. Poroshenko said this, and more, but then also stated that he hoped to mend relations with Russia. He stated that Ukraine will never know true peace unless it resolves its issues with Russia.
Poroshenko earned his fortune by making chocolate, and has strong business ties with Russia and some companies there. It will be interesting to see if this will affect the decisions he makes or the relationship he hopes to forge with Russia.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/world/europe/poroshenko-sworn-in-as-president-of-strife-torn-ukraine.html?hp&_r=0

Ann Nenoff

Brazilian President hosts dinner to defend World Cup preps

Brazil's preparation for the world cup was nothing but a big fiasco. Showing once again the incapacity of the current government, Brazil makes promises it cannot fulfilled. The article linked below reports the last public enunciation of President Dilma Rousseff defending the spending of the World Cup and saying that all the money made during the games will be invested in infrastructure. She once again goes on public television to lie about the government's future plans (no Brazilian believes that is going to happen, and hopefully she won't be reelected to prove us right). When President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva won the rights for the World Cup in 2007 (he is from the same party as President Dilma), the speech was that most if not all the stadiums were going to be build with private money. One week before the games start, 97% of the stadiums were build with public money or investment from BNDES (Development Bank of Brazil) which is partially funded from taxes. In a country that still struggles with poverty in the Upper North,  with zones of extreme poverty and lack of infrastructure even in rich states such as Rio de Janeiro with the Favelas, the last thing the population needs is FIFA standard stadiums. What scares me the most is that if Brazil wins the World Cup everyone (from the rich to the poor) is going to think everything is alright. Brazilians have the ability to put soccer above everything, even above their own rights. Now that the World Cup is going to start there is only one thing left for me to do... cheer... but for Argentina because the last thing I want is for my people to be fooled by politicians that use public money for their own interests in detriment to the interests of the population.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/04/world/americas/brazil-world-cup/index.html

Mariana Cury

PSC 102

King of Spain Abdicates to Allow New Generation to Take Over

In a recent announcement, King Juan Carlos of Spain has abdicated the throne to his son, Prince Felipe. Some believe this move is caused by the scandals that have been surrounding the royal family, particularly Princess Cristina and her husband, Duke of Palma. Prince Felipe has been mostly untouched by the criticisms about the royal family's lifestyle and fiances during a time of joblessness and economic crisis in Spain. King Juan Carlos said that he hopes his son will bring "a new chapter of hope" and increased stability to the nation.

Overall, it seems that this is a political move by the former king in order to keep his family in power (even though Spain is a democracy). Rather than continue to take the criticisms and scandals his daughter and her husband are allegedly taking part in, he'd rather hand the throne to his more stable and responsible son, in order to return the country to stability. Even if Prince Felipe will not have much say in his democracy, he can help be a symbol of stability to the people of Spain and potentially give them hope for the future.

Posted by Evy Lopez
http://search.proquest.com/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1531390957/62A4392513094A35PQ/21?accountid=44854

Obama offers military help to Eastern Europe allies

On Tuesday President Obama announced that he would help beef up military support for eastern European allies that feel they could be next in Russians line of fire. Obama unveiled plans to spend up to $1 billion in supporting and training the armed forces of NATO states on Russia’s borders. Obama was to meet Ukraine’s President-elect Petro Poroshenko in Warsaw on Wednesday and will attend celebrations in France with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day landings. Obama made it clear that he did not want to threaten Russia but only provide support to our allies.

Alexandra Avery
http://www.euronews.com/newswires/2532890-obama-says-reaffirms-us-support-for-polands-security/

Obama Begins Diplomatic Tour of Europe

The White House still considers the situation in Ukraine to be in crisis state, however, it seems that the situation has cooled down a bit in the past few weeks. Ukraine has just elected pro-European President Poroshenko, and Russia has pulled back troops from the border. Obama will visit Poland, Belgium, and France, and will also meet with Poroshenko, in addition to other leaders that will convene in these countries as well. Obama's aides have not ruled out an unscripted conversation between Obama and Russia's Vladmir Putin, as they will both be in Normandy on the same day. While Obama is cautiously optimistic about the new developments, it should be stated that Ukraine is still a volatile region, the violence has not been fully contained, and Europe still needs to be weaned off Russian oil. It will be interesting to see how these converging world leaders will address the issues dealing with Eastern Europe.

Alexandria Corriveau
PSC102
http://search.proquest.com/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1530914589/86A4C71A50004AAEPQ/16?accountid=44854

Russia threatens already embattled Ukraine with cutoff of natural gas over unpaid bills

     By June 3rd Russia may decide to cut off natural gas to Ukraine due to unpaid bills. The president of  Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, promised a new dynamic effort to combat the pro-Russian separatists who have detained buildings and cities across eastern Ukraine. The gas debt may have went up to $5.2 billion by the end of May and Russia is asking for at least a good portion of the payment by Monday (June 2nd). A few days ago Ukraine has decided to give Russia $786 million as payment for the debt which they are hoping will be enough for Russians to accept. Negotiations have been going on for months now, so the results of it all will be interesting to see how Russia will accept the offer that Ukraine/ Poroshenko have offered or if they will indeed start cutting off natural gas given to Ukraine The problem with Ukraine’s gas debts is that Ukraine is bankrupt,” stated by What Gazprom, chief executive.

-Monica Gryszowka

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-threatens-already-embattled-ukraine-with-cutoff-of-natural-gas-over-unpaid-bills/2014/05/31/06275202-e838-11e3-afc6-a1dd9407abcf_story.html

India Continues Slow Pace of Economic Growth

India's economy grew only 4.6 percent in the last economic quarter under the Congress party-led administration. This figure was released by the Indian government Friday, and was under the 4.7 percent increase from last quarter, that ended in December. Analysts had forecast a 4.8 percent growth for this quarter, so the decrease came as a surprise is being viewed as a demonstration of the challenges ahead for the newly elected government under Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party. This has been the second straight year of fiscal growth under 5 percent, a major decrease from the 8.4 percent growth during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. While the electoral victory has resulted in increased business confidence, economists caution that it will take some time for the effects of the victory to result in real economic growth. The Indian economy  is filled with stubborn inflation, weak domestic demand, a considerable fiscal deficit, elevated borrowing rates and depleted industrial output. The elect of Modi and his party comes with heavy expectations of a quick recovery to the economy because of his reputation as a friendly businessman and tract record of expediting large-scale infrastructure projects. However, economists argue that the euphoria that comes with his election ignores the systemic issues that caused the economic downturn in the first place, and therefore that expectations of a quick recovery are unrealistic. Predictions for the next fiscal year put the economic growth of India at 5-6 percent.

-Ambrielle Barker

http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/india-continues-slow-pace-of-economic-growth/?ref=world

Mentally, G.I. Has Long Path Back to Idaho

He has been the only prisoner of war in Afghanistan for the past five years. Sgt Bowe Bergdahl is finally free from captivity. He has been held in complete isolation and is in very poor physical conditions. He has a three step treatment before he gets to go home. He first will receive medical treatment and initial counseling in Germany. He then will proceed to get medical help in San Antonio. Finally he will get his homecoming in Idaho. Although he will get counseling along the way, once he is in Idaho he will probably need to forgo more medical counseling.

John Kissel

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/us/freed-soldier-faces-long-struggle-back-to-normalcy.html?hp

Iranian Social Media Hackers

Hackers from Iran have been reported spying on high ranking U.S. and Israeli officials through the use of social media (more specifically Facebook). These hackers have been said to be working to get close to there targets for the last three years, connecting with over two-thousand individuals. They were found to have made fake accounts and proceeded to make connections with there target's family and friends. After awhile the hackers would connect to there targets, and post credible information, before luring them to a website that would steal their targets passwords and other passwords and other credentials, or get them to download malicious software. The targets of these acts included senior American military and diplomatic officials, congressional staffers and defense contractors in the U.S. and Israel, as well as a four star Admirals in the U.S, Britain and Saudi officials, journalist, and lawmakers. The situation has been exposed and handled, with the ending remarks being to not establish connections with unknown organizations or individuals.

-Larry Holman PSC 102
Initially Reported by By Elise Labott and Jethro Mullen, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/30/world/meast/iran-hacking-report/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Prisoner Trade Yields Rare View Into the Taliban

The Taliban and the United States took big strides in peace making. The US release five Taliban members in return for a captive US soldier. It was a side that's rarely been seen from the group. It has shown that they are capable of holding to their word. The only backlash with the trade is that it could boost the moral of the Taliban. The proposition had been proposed 3 years ago, but has been a stalemate until now. It has been a long wait for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who is now home in Idaho with his family.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/world/asia/soldier-prisoner-trade-for-five-taliban-figures-offers-rare-view.html?hp&_r=0

Jordan Messick

Israel Warns Against Embracing Newly Reconciled Palestinian Government

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is calling the international community not to recognize the new Palestinian government that is to be sworn in on Monday. He believes the new government has a continuous attachment to Hamas who is deemed to be a terrorist organization. However, Palestinian President declared that the new government will made up of ministers who have no attachment. He also promised to recognize Israel and renounce violence. Israel does not seemed to be moved at all. 

U.S. is to be providing $440 million to Palestinian Authority this year but if the government does include Hamas, then things might look different. 

Zahabu Lenning 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/world/middleeast/israel-warns-against-embracing-newly-reconciled-palestinian-government.html?ref=world&_r=0

Cuban President Raul Castro meets U.S. delegation

Cuban President Raul Castro met with a delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during the past week. According to CNN, the talk was aiming to improve U.S.-Cuban relations. Most trade between the two countries is outlawed by a trade embargo that lasts more than 50 years. Lately, the Cuban government have been trying to attract more foreign investment which is seen with good eyes by the U.S.. There is still issues among both countries but chances are that the embargo may not last for that much longer.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/30/world/americas/cuba-us-delegation/index.html?hpt=wo_bn5

Mariana Cury

PSC 102

Nearly 800 killed in Iraq in May, the deadliest all year

According to the United Nations, nearly 800 people were killed across Iraq which included 196 members of the Iraqi security force, the rest were civilians.

The victims of attacks were by Sunni Islamist insurgents who have been regaining ground and momentum Iraq over the past year.

The real number of deaths would be higher if the UN counted the casualties from the western province of Anbar. Iraqi army has been fighting tribal and insurgent groups since they overran two cities at the start of the year.

Even with the security getting worse, Iraq’s incumbent Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki won the largest share of parliamentary sears in national elections last month.
Luckily, the number of deaths is still below the levels back in 2006 and 2007. “I strongly deplore the sustained level of violence and terrorist acts that continues rocking the country,”

 -Crystal Madrigal

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-deadliest-month-iraq-this-year-20140601,0,1171593.story 

Venezuelan and U.S. Relations Have Difficult Week

During a very busy week for Venezuelan and U.S. relations, Venezuelan officials have accused the U.S. State Department (particularly the new American ambassador to Columbia, Kevin Whitaker) of conspiring to kill President Nicholas Maduro. These allegations seem to be a way to defuse the tension on Venezuela's potential human rights violations and propel them onto the U.S.. The State Department responded to this with a statement that called the allegations "baseless and false". They have stated that they have seen Venezuela try to distract from its own actions by blaming the U.S. many times.

This week, the House of Representatives has talked about freezing the assets of Venezuelan officials in the U.S. that could be held accountable for these human rights violations during the country's recent anti-government protests. Furthermore, the Senate has also decided not to place sanctions on Venezuela. Administration officials said the timing wasn't right and that the sanctions might harm potential discussions between Venezuela's government and the opposition.

It seems that the U.S. is attempting to keep Venezuela accountable for their potential human rights violations, by intervening where it can here on U.S. soil. I'm not sure what reaction the Venezuelan government will have to the frozen U.S. assets, but as their recent allegations show, I'm sure it will be theatrical.

Posted by Evy Lopez

http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.noctrl.edu/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1529756186/C157D26736954F1FPQ/25?accountid=44854

Sister of bludgeoned Pakistani woman says her husband killed her

Sister of bludgeoned Pakistani woman says her husband killed her

On Tuesday, a pregnant woman in Pakistan was bludgeoned to death in broad daylight outside of a court building. The initial belief was that her family, in another case of “honor killings” killed her. The woman had just married a man that she chose instead fo the cousin that her family had chosen for her. On Saturday, the older sister of  the vitim, Farzana, spoke our and said it was not her father who had killed her, it was her husband Muhammed Iqbal. Her sister claimed to have been present at the scene and said that after she left the chamber of the lawyer, she saw her family and began to run to them when her husband and his accomplishes chased her down and began hitting her with bricks. Farzana’s sister claims that Farzana was abducted by her husband. Muhammed claims that it is all lies and that the real murderer was Farzana’s father, brothers, and family that killed her for going against their wishes and marrying for love. However, the husband has admitted to killing his first wife over a dispute about Farzana in 2009. The sister Khalida said that she spent some time in a women’s shelter with Farzana last month, where Farzana was hiding from her husband. Faranza was said to have been afraid that her husband would kill her just as he did to his previous wife. This case has twists and turns in it that make it difficult to determine who the killer really is. On one hand, it would not be uncommon for her family to have killed her for entering into a marriage against their wishes. But on the other hand, the husband has killed a wife before so he could have abducted her and forced her into the marriage.  The killing in my opinion is a human rights issue. 

-Monique Martinez

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/sister-of-bludgeoned-pakistani-woman-says-her-husband-killed-her/2014/06/01/51092b7a-e9c7-11e3-93d2-edd4be1f5d9e_story.html

Boko Haram Strikes Again

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/world/africa/3-kidnapped-missionaries-are-freed-in-cameroon.html?ref=world&_r=0

The militants who grabbed the world's attention by kidnapping 200 Nigerian schoolgirls have been around for longer than people know. They're also not a one-trick pony. Just today, two Italian priests and a Canadian nun have been freed after they were captured by the group. The abductions were caused by a riff at the Cameroon/Nigeria border two months ago. In previous cases, when Boko Haram has taken Europeans, their returns usually only come with the safe return of their fellow militants or large quantities of cash. The area is lightly policed, and the militants have carried out four kidnappings of foreigners there in the past 18 months, with the latest being the seizing of 10 Chinese road workers from their camp two weeks ago.

This group has been causing havoc for years and during his speech addressing the Nigerian girls, President Obama said that they have been on his radar since his election in 2008. It amazes me that this group, that is so public in its doings, like posting videos and causing trouble in a very specific area, that they haven't been dealt with yet. The world has turned and given them attention in recent months and that's exactly what they wanted. Now that they have our attention, they want to keep it. What we need to do is not give them anything and quietly ensure that they are brought to justice. 

-Max Kachinske

U.S. Democracy

On Monday President Obama will embark on a weeklong trip to France, Poland, and Belgium in hopes of showing the world the United States still defends democratic governments. Senior U.S. officials, say that Obama will make it absolutely clear that the United States remains firmly committed to the defense of democracy and self-rule in Europe. Obama was supposed to attend the G8 summit in Russia, but after the Ukraine crisis broke out, he will now attend the G7 summit in Brussels. The goal of the trip is to set democratic security back in Eastern Europe after the Ukraine crisis.

-Antonio Sobevski

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-sets-out-to-reaffirm-us-commitment-to-security-democracy-in-eastern-europe/2014/06/01/e0656364-e829-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html?wprss=rss_whitehouse&_monetaClick=eyJ3aWRnZXRfaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQiOiJkMzQxM2U1OS01ZTk1LTRkZDItOTBlOC0yMDYxNzQyOGQzZGIiLCJjb250YWluZXJfaWQiOiJyZXZfYWRfNyIsImVsZW1lbnRfcG9zaXRpb24iOiIyIiwibGlua19pZCI6IjY5ZDUxYmM0LTQ1ZjEtNGUxZS05MzAwLTYwYTZmMjA2M2I3YSIsImFkX2lkIjoiMjI0MWEwZDYtNGEzNi00MmM0LTgwOGYtNWYyMDFmOTdjNjBkIiwiY2xpY2tfaWQiOiIwY2Y4MzA5MC1mZWM1LTQ3ZDgtOWZiYS1iZjlhMDg2NzNkY2YiLCJ3YXBvX3Zpc19pZCI6ImZiZDYyNzdiLTAxYWUtNDEwYy05MDM4LTc3ZGQ3ZTc0NzE5MSIsIndhcG9fc2Vzc19pZCI6bnVsbCwid2Fwb19sb2dpbl9pZCI6bnVsbCwicHViaWQiOiJ3cCJ9

China Accuses U.S. and Japan of Incitement

On Saturday, a Chinese military official accused the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Prime Minister of Japan of basically stirring up  unnecessary trouble in Asia. These allegations are in stark contrast to what the U.S. and I assume Japan has been reporting on the topic. The Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong cited a couple of speeches made earlier in the week by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and said that they were “full of threats and intimidating language”. According to reports General Wang's speech seemed geared more towards Mr. Hagel and the U.S. than anything else, although he also called out Japan. This makes sense for a number of reasons. China has not admitted to any wrong doing and insists they are staying within their borders. China seems taking the role of the underdog getting picked on by the big bad U.S. and its allies. These are some pretty bold allegations coming from a place that is accused of the same thing: stirring up trouble for no good reason. This dissonance between sides of this conversation could play a key role in the direction this takes. It will be interesting to see what kind of response the U.S. and Japan will give. As tensions rise over who has control of what in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, it will be interesting to see if it escalates from a really lame international version of he said she said. I'm not saying it wouldn't cause some nasty problems, but it seems like the problems have already started. Another interesting aspect of this is how American businesses will respond to all of the controversy in the area and whether American business interests will have an influence in changes in policy.

The link to the article is here.

Katie Krupica

Bowe Bergdahl Released from Afghanistan

The release of the last known P.O.W. in Afghanistan, Bowe Bergdahl, has been successfully negotiated and he is to return to the United States in the near future. Bergdahl had been detained for over five years in Afghanistan and it's believed he was exchanged for 5 Tailban members who were detained in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. He is currently in Germany recovering and receiving medical treatment, and apparently there is some question as to why he was detained; whether he had left his post without permission or deserted. Nevertheless, Bowe was the last soldier still detained as a result of the Iraq and Afghanistan and he has been released.

Alec Phillipp
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/01/world/asia/afghanistan-bergdahl-release/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Jewish Museum shooting

On May 24^th a man shot three people dead at a Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium.  The suspect was identified as Mehdi Nemmouche a 29 year old Frenchman.   After identifying Nemmouche as the shooter he was arrested at a train station in France and it was revealed that he had recently spent a year in Syria and is a radicalized Islamist.  It is believed that his time in Syria may have influenced this attack.  In addition to the rifle Nemmouche was arrested carrying a .38 special, police discovered 57 rounds of ammunition for the revolver, more than 270 cartridges for the Kalashnikov, gun parts, a portable GoPro camera, a digital Nikon camera, a black hood and gloves, a Nike cap, a gas mask, and a blue nylon jacket, all objects matching the description of the Brussels shooter.  Two of the victims who died in the attack were an Israeli couple in their 50's from Tel Aviv. The third victim was a French woman.

Alexandra Avery
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/01/world/europe/france-belgium-jewish-shooting/

Ukraine, Russia Near Deal on Gas Bill

Russia and Ukraine move closer to resolving their dispute over natural-gas prices. Moscow has threaten cutoff of supplies if deadline of Tuesday is not met. Moscow has been demanding that Kiev pay more than 3.5 billion in outstanding dues from February and March.

The two sides will continue negotiating natural-gas prices on Monday afternoon once the payment arrives. However, officials say Ukraine wired the money on Friday through New York to Moscow, which means Moscow will not see the payment till at least Monday. It also means that there is little time to negotiating once the payment is received. Ukraine's acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated that Monday's talks would "either end in the signing of an agreement or the filing of a lawsuit".

http://online.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-military-pressing-on-in-east-official-says-1401446327?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303633604579593581739073924.html

-Jackie Bland

U.S. Sway in Asia is Imperiled as China Challenges Alliances

In this week's update, China is reported as starting conflicts deliberately with the intent of driving U.S. alliances out of the East-Asian jurisdiction so to exemplify that China is a powerful country that can achieve prospective prosper without western intervention.  Such attempts have been conflicts in air and sea zones as well as quarrels in countries like Japan and Vietnam.  Even in the speech given by president Xi of China, the foundation of China's future implicitly does not include U.S. aid. 

We have been presented with a graph exhibiting the rise and fall of power between two countries and a small window in which conflict occurs that will define which of the two countries will be the more powerful, and this recent news update clearly exemplifies catalysts that can lead to warfare.  It's like the old saying goes: "if you can't beat them, join them."  But the issue being faced now is China sees potential that the U.S. can be beat. 

Scott Bishop

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/world/asia/us-sway-in-asia-is-imperiled-as-china-challenges-alliances.html?hp&_r=0

Japan Wants A Greater Role In Asian Security

A Shangri-La Dialogue expected to take place in Singapore on Friday will include Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, who is expected to push for Japan to have a greater role in Asian security. Mr Abe wants to promote Japan as a counterbalance to China, a move that China is not very happy about. This summit (also known as the Asia Security Summit) does come amid territorial disputes between China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and even Japan with disputed islands in the East China Sea. Mr Abe, who is giving the keynote address, is expected to push for Japan and the US to play a "greater role in security cooperation in Asia".

This urge is to open up some discussion about Asia's peace and safety. This seems to be a particularly good time for that discussion, considering the situation that is currently going on in the South and East China Seas. China is not happy about this, and is angered by "Mr Abe's call for a new interpretation of Japan's constitution", which would ban any threats and acts of war as a solution to international disputes. Some countries are hesitant to go against China and support Japan because of their economic and political ties. Others, however, are growing more angry with China because of the territorial disputes.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27630604

Ann Nenoff

"US Military in Afghanistan by the Numbers"

by Luis Martinez

Note: It surprised me this last memorial day when it surprised my friend when a 5K we were at listed a number of names that had been killed in military action this past year. He thought that nothing was happening in Afghanistan anymore. So when I saw this article, it stuck out at me.

The war in Afghanistan has been going on for 13 years. All troops are not supposed to pull out until 2016. This will have been one of the longest wars the United States has ever been a part of. It started in 2001 when the United States bombed Al Queda training camps.

Overall, there has been over 800,000 military that served for various time spans on very in Afghanistan. The peak of military serving at one time was 100,000 in 2010. There are currently 32,800 military service members in Afghanistan. The Obama administration is calling to reduce that to 9,800 by the end of this year. This number is supposed to be halved by 2015. All troops are supposed to be pulled by 2016.

The war cost 537.8 billion dollars.

2,184 died in the line of active duty in Afghanistan. 19,600 more were wounded.

Link and video can be found at ABCnews here

Katie Madel

Low Voter Turnout in Egypt

Egypt recently had elections, however, hardly anyone came out to the polls. Turnout rate was so low that the Egyptian government extended the voting hours until 10pm that night. It was also declared a state holiday, where many businesses were shut down for the day in order to give people time to vote. It was even reported that police were instructed to help the sick or elderly get to the polls. The government also declared a $70 fine for those who chose not to vote. In addition, the military-backed government extended the voting period by a day. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the former army field marshal who helped oust the previous president, is expected to win this election in a landslide. The low voter turnout rate, though, suggests that he is not as popular as the media portrays him. It also means that his presidency will not have as much legitimacy as the  fiercely and competitively elected president during the 2011 elections.

Alexandria Corriveau
PSC102

http://search.proquest.com/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1528752583/42FB5486167A4D6APQ/6?accountid=44854

Ancient Rivalries are Stirred by Mass on Mount Zion

The Pope's visit to Jerusalem has stirred up ancient rivalries when an intimate Mass was held in the Cenacle on Mount Zion which is venerated by Christians as the room of the Last Supper. While the Pope's visit was meant to be peaceful, Mount Zion is considered holy to Jews and Muslims and therefore has caused competing religion claims to the land and one of the most sensitive issues in the the Middle East conflict. While control of Mount Zion has passed from religion to religion over the years, the Vatican is now seeking increased prayer rights to the Cenacle which is usually devoid of any Christian symbols. The lower room is mostly reserved for Jewish prayer and is basically a synagogue. The Pope's visit has caused opposition to the extension of Christian prayer times. Rumors have also been circulating that the Vatican is trying to buy the Cenacle and that the Pope wants to move to Mount Zion. The rumored transfer of ownership of the Cenacle has been denied.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/world/middleeast/mass-planned-on-mount-zion-stirs-ancient-rivalries.html?src=me

-Ambrielle Barker

The Real News About the South China Sea, Philippines, Vietnam and the Spratly Islands

In a May 23, 2014 online article on Reuters.com, titled "China Warns Japan, Philippines Accuses China in Maritime Spat," authors Sui-Lee Wee and Manuel Mogato describe the quickly evaporating relationship between Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and the United States and China.
Many people see China as an aggressor in the South and East China Seas, as they have repeatedly bullied their way throughout the disputed Spratly Island chain using their superior naval strength. Unfortunately, China has been delaying talks to resolve the dispute, hurting their reputation around the world. The Philippines has possibly been the most outspoken about China's aggression in the region, as they might feel the most threatened because their territories hold some of the most abundant natural resources in the region - both oil and natural gas. China wants everything and will stop at nothing it seems until they get their grimy hands all over it.

The Philippines released a statement this week accusing China of delaying talks that the Philippines have desired for almost a decade. China insists that the Philippines, the United States, and Japan are antagonistic, while Beijing is the only party causing real damage. Fortunately for the world, technology allows the truth to surface; complete with full video and high definition pictures, the world sees China for what they really are - greedy, ambitious communists.

Small nations like the Philippines have to try to go head to head with China, and they might have to do it alone. It seems China will stop at nothing, as they continue to flaunt their navy in the face of peaceful demonstrations by citizens of Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan, among others. There is hope for these small, defenseless nations, however.

The United States has pledged full support, both militarily and legally for the Philippines and Japan. Vietnam is also looking for support from others, as protests continue to plague the tiny nation's capital. A 67 year old Vietnamese woman denouncing China died earlier this week after self-immolation in Ho Chi Minh City, carrying signs calling for Vietnamese action.

It won't take much more for the "UNited States" to get involved, but if they do, it could spell economic chaos throughout the world, as both the American and Chinese economies are closely dependent upon one another.

More to come on this topic, I'm sure.

best,
Christopher M. Vacek

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/23/us-southchinasea-idUSBREA4M04Y20140523

Pushback on Globalization

The European Parliament elections took place today. The overwhelming trend, across Europe, was the success of anti-Euro, anti-immigrant parties -- this is not to say that they are all xenophobes, they are not. Near the beginning of the term, for this blog, I wrote about Marie le Pin and the National Front in France. At the time the party won a number of local elections across the country. I didn't know on what level they would be able to affect the situation of France on the continent from their local positions of authority. But as of today the Front in France holds 26% of the French seats in the European Parliament. In other countries Anti-Euro parties had the same level of success, which means that they will attempt to dismantle, or at least further minimalize, the institution from the inside -- not to say that the European Parliament really has any authority, it is a symbol more than anything. The assumption is that the nationalism will continue with the sluggish recovery. The Euro-zone has helped with the integration of the "European Community." We Talked about the Democratic Peace Hypothesis of Thomas Friedman, but in Europe the peace should be greatly attributed to the economic integration and interconnection. If the European Community falls apart, we could see the reigniting of old racial tensions across the continent as the states will no longer be affected by the misfortune of other countries. If the Euro dies, old currencies will be brought back and we will see divisive currency wars within Europe. Mitch Wood http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/05/26/euroskeptic-anti-immigrant-parties-make-big-gains-in-european-union-elections/

In East, Separatists and Fear Stop Voters

The country of Ukraine is now split between pro-Russians and Ukrainians. There was a recent presidential election. In the west, many people voted for a new government, which has been building up since February. In Donetsk, in the west, only 2% of people voted in the election. One man in the west had this to say about the election. "That happened in Ukraine... We don't live there anymore". The problem with this statement is that Donetsk actually is in Ukraine. The tension has steadily risen between the East and West. It is to the point that a war to many seems to be on the horizon.

“I think there will be war,” said a 56-year-old mining engineer who gave his name as Alexander. “Anyone who thinks logically and isn’t riding a wave of emotion understands this now.”

 

Ahead of Ukraine elections, a generational split on nationalism

There is a divide between the old and the new generation that seperates their opinions on whether or not they all feel more Russian or Ukranian. Since the new generation has no recollection of the Soviet life like their elders, the young generation say that they feel Ukrainian. The new generation does fluidly speak both Ukrainian and Russian like their parents and the older generations, and they say that the spirit of democracy "could counter the corruption that has plagued Ukraine since independence in 1991. After many weeks of violence, there will be an election of 44 million that will determine whether voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in some parts of the east. I am curious to see the outcome that will essentially influence whether Ukraine pursues a federal form of government giving more autonomy as Russia wants, or if they will go towards the EU and align with NATO.

-Monica Gryszowka


http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ahead-of-ukraine-elections-a-generational-split-on-nationalism/2014/05/24/3072c82f-8c34-475a-b26d-e19032f7d485_story.html

International Investors Help Brazil Protect Rainforests

In a recent announcement, Brazil has stated that it will partner with many governmental and private funders in order to fund an expansion of protection for parts of the Amazon. This funding, $215 million, will help protect 15 percent of the Brazilian Amazon or about 200,000 square miles. This story caught my attention after reading the chapter on the environment. It seems as though Brazil and other philanthropists are fighting to protect the rainforest, since so much of Brazil is made up of the Amazon.

I found the backers of this project particularly interesting. I expected there to be some companies trying to get good publicity by backing the project, but instead found investors such as World Wildlife Fund, the German government and the Inter-American Development Bank. These backers really echoed the lecture on Friday showing that NGOs, other governments, and even international entities can all lend a hand to help a country maintain its powerful and much needed resources. Humanitarianism aside, I'm sure that the Brazilian Amazon holds a lot of economic and political power for Brazil and many countries around the world. Interdependence will cause other countries and entities to treat that land as their own and avoid a "tragedy of the commons" scenario.

Posted by Evy Lopez

http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.noctrl.edu/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1526714009/DE72539F5935481BPQ/24?accountid=44854

Al-Shabaab attacks Somali Parliament

At least ten individuals have been killed in an attack on a Somalian Parliament building in Mogadishu. The attackers used car bombs to gain entry into the building, then opened fire on the building before blowing themselves up. The U.S. released a statement condemning the attacks and assured that they would continue to stand behind the Federal Government of Somalia as it tries to root out al-Shabaab. Interestingly enough, one Somali military police officer said that the attack highlights the weak government of Somalia, and the ineffectiveness of their efforts to root out al-Shabaab from the area. Following the attack the Somali security minister resigned and stated that he hoped another individual could come in and help to solve the problem.

Alec Phillipp
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/24/world/africa/somalia-attack/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Slivers of Land Crowd Disputed Waters

As we have recently discussed in class, the Chinese, Philippines and Vietnamese have been creating unusual settlements on small islands throughout the South China Sea to help strengthen their government's territorial claims. However, it has been creating high tensions between the countries.

China has recently created an island on a shallow reef in the South China Sea where in oil rig waters. Conveniently, its located in an area already claimed by vietnam. This incident has caused anti-chinese riots in Vietnam and damaged the bilateral relationship.

The Philippines has reacted by also creating a chain of communities on small islands throughout the South China Sea. They believe it was ultimately the best way for the Philippines to defend its economic interests. Since Vietnam and China have been constructing these projects, it is essential for them to build now-and fast.

In addition, many of these islands are unable to grow food due to the sandy soil. Therefore many of the islands rely on freighters to transport food and medicine to them. Some of the islands even have schools, health clinics and post office's on them. Innovations of solar panels and Internet has been added to the islands to make life a little easier. Recently China has even promoted Telecom's recent rollout of 3G mobile internet in parts of the islands. Since some of the islands do not create revenue, only territory strength, it is costly for them to operate.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB30001424052702303480304579576380113652304?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB30001424052702303480304579576380113652304.html

-Jackie Bland

Pope Francis invites Israeli, Palestinian leaders to Vatican peace talks

Pope Francis once again showed that he has a different approach and invited the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to travel to the Vatican for a “peace initiative”. The Pope also called for a two-state solution to the conflict. Pope Francis called for the recognition of a Palestinian state; he made the same demand on behalf of Israel. It is nice to see Pope Francis efforts to end conflict in the Middle East. And maybe because he is neutral to the situation, and he is such a powerful figure, the two countries will engage in peace talks. The Pope’s trip to the Holy Land has been rooted in faith not in politics, but in a region where religion and politics are so closely intertwined, his every remark takes on an added significance.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/25/world/pope-mideast-trip/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

PSC 102

Mariana Cury

3 Shot Dead at Brussels Jewish Museum

On Saturday, 3 Jewish people were shot and killed at the Jewish Museum in the center of Brussels. The gunman was unidentified and fled the scene. Officials are saying that this appears to be an anti-semantic attack. Two of the three dead we're Israeli tourists, a man and a woman. Security is being tightened up at Jewish sites all across the country. This shooting would be the first anti-semantic attack in Brussels since WWII. The Prime Minister said that the site of the shooting was a symbolic site and that the Country will stand united. The shooting happened on the eve of the European Parliament  and national legislature elections. The president of the European Union's executive arms said that this was an attack on European values which that will not tolerate. Typically the Jewish community in Belgium will not report anti-semantic attacks because they feel it will not help and that they are not protected.

Monique Martinez

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/world/europe/3-shot-dead-at-brussels-jewish-museum.html?ref=world&_r=0

President Suprises the Troops in Afganistan

The article made it sound like this visit took place a week ago but I'm pretty sure that it happened this weekend. Anyway, the point is President Obama made a surprise visit to a gathering of troops in a hangar at Bagram Airfield. He gave a speech to the troops and thanked them for their service. He even took Brad Paisley with him and the country singer performed at the event. I guess this surprised me because one of the main reasons I know who Brad Paisley is, is his song "Accidental Racist". You'd think that would have some implications as far as working with the President goes but I'm glad it doesn't. On the flip the singer is an example of the all American country singer, which is probably why he was chosen for this event. What was most interesting about this event is that Mr. Obama did not meet with Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai. This makes me wonder if the President or any U.S. presence is welcome in the country. I know that Mr. Obama and Mr. Karzai have had disagreements in the past so I guess this isn't surprising Of course, it could have been the case that the Afghan leader was just busy that day, but the article also talked about how there are elections soon and there is a pretty good chance for some new leadership to take office. I wonder if the other candidates have a more open mind to U.S. presence in their country because from the sounds of it the President doesn't plan on leaving soon. The president said in his speech that, “America’s war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end.” among other motivational statements. I hope that this is true and that it is better than withdrawing all troops. The article also outlined the problems the president is having defining foreign policy in a number of countries. I'm hoping that America can find a way to figure some of this stuff out.

You can find the article here.

Katie Krupica

Ukraine New President

On Sunday May 25, 2014 voters handed Petro Poroshenko “chocolate tycoon” a glorious victory in Ukraine’s presidential election. Poroshenko won the election taking over 55 percent of the votes.  Poroshenko will now have to address the violence that is escalating in eastern Ukraine. Many cities across the east have been occupied by pro-Russian separatists, who vowed to disrupt the vote wherever possible. Pro-Russian separatists attacked polling places, one man was killed and another was wounded in a skirmish near the town of Novoaidar, Ukraine. With this step forward, maybe Ukraine has a brighter future ahead.

-Antonio Sobevski

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainians-head-to-the-polls-to-elect-a-new-president-except-in-the-restive-east/2014/05/25/2680fad4-e9f7-4118-923e-852b01351b39_story.html?hpid=z1

Mosquito's know no boarders

An outbreak of Chikungunya virus has been seen in the Caribbean. The virus, more commonly found in Africa and Asia has been carried over to the Caribbean islands. Thousands of patients are being seen daily in small clinics and hospitals across islands searching for a cure for the severe fevers, headaches and muscle spasms.  Haiti and the Dominican Republic are attempting to  respond to the surge of medical demands, all steaming from this virus.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or cure for the virus and over the counter painkillers is the only medicine being proscribed to reduce fever and headache. Even these limited medicinal resource are dwindling and the price for paracetamol (the painkiller/fever reducer) has doubled in Haiti over the past week. The World Health Organization predicts that chikungunya will continue to spread, specifically in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to mosquito's tendency to breed around open, stagnant water, much like the water containers seen in Haiti homes due to lack of running water. 

-Alexandra Dominguez 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/23/chikungunya-caribbeanvirus.html

It's not ALWAYS about politics...

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/26/world/asia/obama-in-afghanistan.html?ref=world&_r=0

President Obama, like so many Presidents before him, has now mastered the art of doing things under the radar and not letting the media get a hold of it (until after). The Commander in Chief made a surprise visit to Bagram Airfield base in Afghanistan early Sunday morning on this Memorial Day weekend not to meet with departing President Hamid Karzai but to simply...thank the troops. Of course, that is what Memorial Day is all about. To honor those who have served, are serving and will serve; whether they be fallen heroes or veterans. This weekend is about sacrifice and the President went on to thank the 3,000 troops in attendance for the sacrifices they've made; all in an effort to ensure that America will never be used as target for terrorism again.  This was a celebration, followed by a speech from the leader of the free world. Country singer Brad Paisley (who I'll be seeing this Saturday night) rode on Air Force One and performed for the troops for an hour before the speech.

This is the fourth time Obama has visited the country while in office and the questions facing the relations between the two nations are up in the air. The President did not travel to Kabul, the country’s capital. But he vowed that he would work with whoever wins the presidential runoff election scheduled for June 14: either Abdullah Abdullah or Ashraf Ghani.

-Max Kachinske 

Japan/China incident in South China Sea

Japan and China accused each other’s air forces of behaving dangerously yesterday in the South China Sea.  China said Japanese planes took dangerous actions during Chinese joint maritime exercise with Russia while Japan claims that Chinese air forces came within meters of its warplanes.  Japan went on into more detail to say that a Chinese SU-27 came within 50m of a Japanese OP-3C plane and within 30m of a YS-11EB plane.  Japan officials have said that this is an over the top way for China to handle the dispute.  China responded that Japan planes entered into a no fly zone despite notices and that China felt the need to respond because Japan should respect both the Chinese and Russian navies during their exercises. China also said, “…Japan will bear any and all consequences from this.”   

Alexandra Avery
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/05/26/2003591244

"Pope Calls for Religious Tolerance in Visit to the Middle-East"

by William Booth

This Saturday, Pope Francis arrived at Jordan in a visit to the Holy Lands.

During his visit, he praised Jordan's help to refugees and called for religious tolerance.

Jordan has had a history of refugees, with Palestinians having fled there in 1948 and 1967. Now, Jordan also houses 700,000 Syrians that moved there before the war broke out and another 600,000 registered refugees that have escaped to the Holy Lands since then. As of right now, Jordan suffers economic hardship, which officials hope are helped by tourists visiting through the example of the Pope.

While in Jordan, Pope Francis met with the king of Jordan to discuss ways in which to encourage interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims. The Pope is quoted on his trip calling for the freedom of the Christians minority living in the Islamic region. There is still a number of Christian biblical spots among the Muslim region that demands interfaith cooperation. There are many words said about the importance of promoting peace and cooperation, notably the Pope mentions the importance of even the smaller acts.

Will Christian-Muslim relations become better through the help of this new Pope? Will Palenstine-Israel relations smooth over? I think from what I have seen from this new pope so far, anything is possible.

Full article can be found here

Katie Madel

UN Chief Urges Delivery of Aid to Syria, Even Without Consent

The United Nations security general Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to authorize delivery of aid (including food and medicine) to Syria, even without the consent of the government. Syria has rebuffed appeals by the United Nations to send aid to the insurgent held areas. Because of this, 85% of food aid and 70% of medicines are in areas under the control of President Bashar al-Assad (who is running for another 7 year term). Syria asserts its right to admit or deny anyone entry because it is a sovereign nation. This blockade of humanitarian relief is a big issue, and Council members are frustrated. Some are discussing a draft that may open up specific border crossings to deliver aid. However, Assad's government stated that if this were to happen, they would expel all United Nations agencies. This could mean that millions of people in territories under Assad's control could lose their most reliable sources of food and medicine.
This issue of a lack of humanitarian relief is frustrating and there should be something done about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/24/world/middleeast/un-chief-urges-aid-deliveries-to-syria-without-its-consent.html?ref=world

Ann Nenoff

Russia & China Strike Gas Deal

China and Russia have signed a $400 billion natural gas deal which will span 30 years. This is significant because it demonstrates the relationship that has been warming between Russia's Vladmir Putin and China's Xi Jinping. This deal has been discussed by these two countries for over ten years, and it was prompted largely in part by the invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Europe has typically been Moscow's main energy market, but due to the Ukraine situation Europe has placed sanctions against Russia, forcing Russia to find a new energy market. This new market is China. This deal between gas companies Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation is the biggest deal Russia has sealed since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Alexandria Corriveau
PSC102

http://search.proquest.com/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1526714609/2E22CE0E6FCE4FBDPQ/6?accountid=44854

Open letter to Obama calls for new steps to promote change in Cuba

An open letter composed and signed by forty-four policy reform advocates and former U.S officials calling for all Americans to be allowed to travel to Cuba has been sent to President Obama. The letter released on Monday was signed by John Negroponte, the Director of National Intelligence under President George W. Bush, retired Admiral James Stavridis, who stepped down last year as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and several former senior State Department officials and prominent Cuban Americans. 

This is just one of the latest increase in pressure on President Obama to enact change upon the Cuban embargo. The embargo has continued on ineffectively since the Cold War as it's original intent being to bring Fidel Castro out of power. Fifty four years have passed with the embargo put into place, and the Castros are still going strong. Even more confusing is that the embargo and travel restrictions/remittances continue regardless of the change in demographics of the Cuban American population.Scholars have found throughout various polls done on the Cuban American population, that a majority of Cuban Americans oppose the policies that have been put into place by the United States on to Cuba. The blending of post-Revolution immigrants, Mariel-boatlift immigrants, and post-Mariel immigrants is the reason for this new majority taking place. Before the influx of post-Mariel immigrants, the Cuban embargo was held strongly into place by interest groups such as the Cuban American National Foundation and the Cuban Liberty Council. There was strong support for the policies the United States was implementing onto Cuba due to the fact most of the immigrants in the U.S. from Cuba at that time had been uprooted by Castro and the Revolution and forced to give up their high-class status in the new communist regime.

Those who immigrated during the Mariel-boatlift ( Castro allowed for anyone who wanted to leave the island to do so in 1980, resulting in over 125,000 Cuban immigrants) had grown up under the communist regime and were more adapted to the Castro regime. They immigrated for more economic reasons rather than political. Post-Mariel immigrants have immigrated mostly due to family economic status. They come to the U.S. to earn money to send back to their relatives in Cuba. With more post-Mariel immigrants beginning to crowd the Miami area, opinions are shifting. Pressure to change the embargo has been growing in the past few years as more and more polls reflect opposition to U.S foreign policy. The open letter is just one of the few. However, it focused more on the travel restrictions and remittances to Cuba rather than the economic embargo itself. Reducing U.S. restrictions on travel and financial activity in Cuba would help "by giving greater freedom to private organizations and individuals to directly and indirectly serve as catalysts for meaningful change in Cuba," the letter said.This is important because it is reflecting the opinions of the post-Mariel immigrants rather than those who came before them. The post-Revolution immigrants and Mariel boatlift immigrants have shown in polls that they are less likely to travel back to Cuba, do not plan to ever return to Cuba, and send less money on average to family members than post-Mariel immigrants. Post-Mariel immigrants are more connected to their relatives in Cuba and keep close ties with them, sending back large amounts of money whenever possible. 

The director of the US-Cuba Democracy PAC, (a special interest group that has been very influential on U.S foreign policy) Mauricio Claver-Carone, rejected the open letter proposal and stated that "History has proven that Castro only eases economic measures when he's forced to, not as a 'good-will' measure" It will be interesting to see what other Cuban American interest groups have to say about the open letter and politicians who have been receiving large campaign funds from Cuban interest groups to keep the embargo going. 

Tess Godhardt

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/19/us-usa-cuba-policy-idUSBREA4I0AU20140519

Imposing Martial Law, Thai Military Denies Plans for Coup

Thomas Fuller reports on the life in Bangkok one specific Tuesday as the military announced a coup to snuff out the protest groups responsible for many deaths of political figures.  Fuller states that to the public life carried on naturally with traffic jams and work and agendas, the only difference were the presence of military personal dispersed throughout the city streets and the cyclical intervention of television programs for public announcements. 

One aspect that is somewhat concerning - while the execution of the coup seemed civil - Fuller states that the military has shut down the government and current running the governmental duties.  Government shut down is never a good thing, but it seems that the military is compelled to do so because of how ill the government was at handling the many deaths of people through protesting groups. 

Personally, I feel that let the military take government over for as long as it takes to instate a capable government, only for as long as how the military coup maintains what seems like a civil approach and daily lives are no more disrupted by these conflicts in Thailand.  Of course, I also presume another side of the story from a pedestrian perspective to say otherwise.

Scott Bishop

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/world/asia/thailand.html?hp&_r=0

Chinese ships reach Vietnam to extract thousands of citizens after deadly attacks

This morning, there were two Chinese ships that arrived in Vietnam two collect Chinese citizens. These ships were sent to Vung Ang in Ha Tinh, a coastal province where some violence has occurred. This was due to deadly attacks which occurred in Vietnam last week. It is said that two Chinese citizens were killed by this violence and over 100 were injured.  The ships are going to be used to bring back a reported, 4,000 citizens and it is said that 3,000 have already been evacuated. This has increased a tension between Vietnam and Chinese, Vietnam has demanded that China back down and withdraw. China hasn't stopped and are still going in. Only time will tell where this issue ends up.


By Jethro Mullen, CNN
-Larry Holman PSC 102
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/19/world/asia/vietnam-china-tensions/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Mali Rebels Attack and Seize Hostages

In Bamako, Mali, Separatists Tuareg rebels launched an assault on the city of Kidal. This attack killed eight soldiers and they also rushed government buildings taking 30 hostages in a "declaration of war" on the government. The attack was prompted by the new Prime Minister Moussa Mara. The attack started on Saturday morning into the governor's office. Mara stayed in the government barracks and then left Kidal on Sunday for Gao. The fighting went on throughout the day killing eight soldiers and 25 were wounded. The Defense Ministry also said 28 assailants were killed and 62 wounded. They regained control over all the administrative buildings except the governor's office. They also don't know where the hostages are being held. Rachel Rodewald http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/world/africa/mali-rebels-attack-and-seize-hostages.html?ref=world

Student Debt Grows Faster at Universities With Highest-Paid Leaders, Study Finds

A recent study has shown that Universities with the highest paid presidents have the highest student debt. The study done by Andrew Erwin and Marjorie Wood has found that administrative expenditures outnumber spending on scholarships 2 to 1. They don't believe that there is a direct cause between the two, but they believe it is the tip of the iceberg. Athletic coaches also make up 70% of public university employees that make over a million dollars. These universities have been classified as "unequal". Due to their rising debt and the amount paid to their officials.

Jordan Messick

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/education/study-links-growth-in-student-debt-to-pay-for-university-presidents.html?hp

South Korea To Disband Coast Guard, Leader Vows

President Park Geun-hye has vowed to get rid of the South Korean coast guard. This comes after a ferry disaster that left many people dead. Over 250 people passed away in the disaster and 18 people are still missing. The coast guard failed to save this disaster, rather failing disastrously. Many people have been upset with the coast guards attempt to save lives. She is attempting to disband the coast guard and build from the ground up. She wants to find an effective way to resolve accidents. This was one of the biggest peace-times disaster in South Korea's history.




John Kissel
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/world/asia/south-korean-president-vows-to-disband-coast-guard-over-ferry-sinking.html?hp&_r=0