Despite the 2007 shooting in Nisour Square and other similarly tragic incidents, private military contractors (PMCs) continue to operate in a largely unregulated and unaccountable fashion. Michael Alter discusses the history of “security contracting” and examines the growth of the PMC industry.
This past Friday, the governor of Kagoshima, Yūichirō Itō, approved the reinstatement of the Sendai nuclear plant, the first step in a long political battle to reestablish nuclear energy in Japan. Kwame Newton evaluates the merits and demerits of a “renuclearized” Japan, and calls for patience.
Conna Walsh discusses the implications of the recent trade pact between India and Vietnam, and its significance for territorial conflict in the South China sea and China’s regional hegemony.
Puneet Brar examines the challenges facing the global community in the wake of the IPCC’s report on climate change. She advocates a de-politicization of the issue, as it is overshadowing the dangers and intricacies of the issue.
The scene on the ground in Libya today is one that few intended when they first took up arms against the Gaddafi regime in 2011. What went wrong?
Through her cautious handling of German austerity policy, Chancellor Angela Merkel has positioned her nation as the leading economy in Europe. Yet, in light of recent economic turbulence, there is concern over whether the use of austerity is doing more harm than good to the German and European economies. Jordan Jackson reports.
Continue reading Merkel and the German Economy – Austerity or Stimulus?
Earlier this week, the small nation of Tunisia held its first round of democratic elections under its new constitution. Michael Alter recounts Tunisia’s transition from dictatorship to constitutional democracy, and argues that the future is bright.
The immense scale of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa can be attributed to poor local governance.
Following Blaise Compaore’s resignation from the presidency in Burkina Faso, the United States and its Western allies must ensure a peaceful, yet expedient, transition of power.
Continue reading Unrest in Burkina Faso Could Mean Trouble for the West
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