NATO is considering a medal for soldiers who display "courageous restraint" in their use of lethal force to save civilian lives. According to CNN,"Although no decisions have been made on the award itself, the idea is consistent with our strategic approach," Sholtis said. "Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent...
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Iran’s setbacks: Buying time?
According to Gary Samore, Iran's nuclear enrichment program has had some important recent setbacks. The AP, last week:Setbacks in Iran's uranium enrichment program have significantly delayed its progress toward building a nuclear weapon, President Barack Obama's top nuclear adviser said Tuesday....On Iran's enrichment program, Samore said that Tehran had been set back by problems with its centrifuges and by disclosure of an enrichment plant...
The War at Home
Is this another step in the ongoing "war" between the southwest US and Mexico? or is it, more ominously, a shift to a military approach to the war on terror at home? or is it...well, just Texas?
Nuclear transparency
Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that the Obama administration has fully disclosed decades worth of data about the size of America's nuclear arsenal: America's official nuclear silence ended Monday when the Obama administration not only disclosed the number of U.S. nuclear weapons available for use in wartime -- 5,113 as of Sept. 30 -- but surprised many by also publishing weapons totals for each year dating to 1962. (Data from...
DVD review; “Capitalism: A Love Story”
Up front, I'll admit that Michael Moore movies appeal to me. My politics lean left, I embrace populist sensibilities on many issues, and I strongly believe that humor can be employed to levy an effective critique of politics."Roger and Me," which told the dismal story of the relationship between General Motors and Flint, Michigan, was a personal story for Moore since it concerned his hometown and was a strong beginning for his career as a...
I’m For Europe
Since Jon started this, I too must share one of my favorite Yes, Minister clips. Strikes me as timely.
And Justice for All?
Gary Haugen and Victor Boutrous have a useful article in the new print version of Foreign Affairs, pointing out that all the human rights standards in the land mean nothing if they're not translated into practical justice for every human being. Particularly, they point out how the ability to enjoy one's legal rights is related to wealth. Efforts by the modern human rights movement over the last 60 years have contributed to the criminalization...
The (Final!) Johnny Foreigner’s Guide to the UK Election: (Insert ‘well hung-parliament’ joke here.)
Well, the entire UK General election and transition came and went in less time than it took to do a US Presidential transition. While the ending was a little bumpy with the “hung parliament” result but a full, formal coalition government has been formed and it is no longer ‘anarchy in the UK’. (Bad pun, yes. Could I stop myself? No.) So today the UK has a new Prime Minister and a coalition government. What can we say in the last JFGTUKE post?...
Young men who don’t have anyone to screw blow themselves up?
While I am generally respectful of the journal International Security's clear effort to publish more gender-related work, Bradley Thayer and Valerie Hudson, in "Sex and the Shaheed" have managed to write about gender while missing the conceptual foundations and research insights of decades of work in feminism, gender, and IR. This article ranges from factually partial at best and inaccurate at worst. It focuses on male suicide terrorists when a...
Is It Time to Ban Explosive Weapons in War?
UK-based NGO Landmine Action says yes. In a recent report, the organization points out that we do not consider explosive bombs an acceptable tool in police operations, and proposes they be stigmatized as tools of counter-insurgency and military operations other than war as well - at least when used in populated areas. The report cites evidence of the civilian consequences of explosive violence used in populated areas, an argument with which...
How Wars End: V.E. Day 65 Years On
I will be writing more on the outcome of the British election soon, but for now I thought that I would post in recognition of the fact that it’s the 65th anniversary of V.E. Day. (You know, in that whole World War II thing that pretty much allows Britain - and most of Europe - to have elections in the first place.)Today there was a ceremony marking the occasion in central London. Interestingly, the focus on the event seems to be on the average...
British diplomacy…a classic tutorial
After Stephanie's posts, I watched a few old episodes of Yes, Minister (and why I love Netflix). Hung parliament or not, Sir Humphrey's British diplomacy is on the verge of success....