Diplomacy can only go so far. The Europeans have been trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with Iran for years now. Have they accomplished anything? Not at all. Iran is continuing to move forward with its nuclear programme with the help of Russia and possibly China. The talks haven’t stopped their programme. Sanctions haven’t done anything either. This song and dance isn’t working. Continue reading
Public Articles
Most recent articles
Symposium 2010: Do you feel the stock market is overvalued, undervalued, or fairly valued?
I don’t believe that the market at this time truly reflects the fundamental risks of the overall economy and how those risks translate long-term into negative business conditions. What I think is happening is that investors are looking for a place to put their money where they can get a better return than on Treasury bonds that aren’t yielding too much. I don’t think it is a reflection of investor sentiment towards the market overall. I think it’s just a matter of opportunity and where they’re seeing a better prospective return on their investment. We’ve seen a tremendous rise in some commodity prices which is usually associated with investors hedging against inflation or other factors. Continue reading
Symposium 2010: What is your outlook for the economy and interest rates and what risk does the federal deficit and federal debt have in the outlook for the economy and business long-term?
I think the economy is going to be stagnant this year. We’ll probably have very low growth, if any. Interest rates will be kept low by the Federal Reserve in an effort to boost the housing markets, but I think largely it’s all reflective of failed economic policies by the Obama Administration and the Congress. Continue reading
Symposium 2010: What is your assessment of the economy and general business conditions?
The economic outlook is pretty bleak at this point. Unemployment isn’t going to go down, because businesses aren’t hiring. Why? There’s not enough demand because a lot of people are out of work and others are fearing they too may be in the unemployment line. Businesses aren’t going to hire if they have this massive liability known as Obamacare thrust upon them. Continue reading
Symposium 2010: What are your thoughts on the Congress and the job it is doing?
This Congress has been a vast disappointment. I think the voters were tired of the Democrats’ handling of things and the progressive Obama/Pelosi/Reid agenda and showed their dissatisfaction by voting out the incumbents. This last Congress did nothing but get us deeper and deeper into debt. Continue reading
Is the United Nations a Vast Failure?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s Manila Correspondent
Academics, students, and enthusiasts of international relations are undoubtedly familiar with the theories that shape its study. Often, as is the case with many other debates, people tend to take the side or the theory that resonates most with them, and it can be contended that international relations is no different. In particular though, liberalism is useful for understanding the role which the United Nations plays in the international system. Continue reading
Who will become the next Al Qaeda State?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s London Correspondent
After the initial relief and celebration at the death of Osama Bin Laden in May, many people have raised the question, “What next?” Will Al Qaeda be able to continue without its influential founder? Is this the beginning of the end for Al Qaeda and its base in Pakistan? Or will the new leader of Al Qaeda seek revenge against the United States for Bin Laden’s death and strive to create a new legacy of terror for himself? Unfortunately, according both to the words of new Al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri and to government officials, Al Qaeda might be losing ground in Pakistan, but the movement is far from cowed by recent events. Continue reading
Should We Support Rebels or Dictators?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s London Correspondent
The United States stands for democracy. The country is built on democracy, it celebrates democracy, and it promotes democracy in its foreign policy. If the U.S. government wishes to retain the respect of its citizens and of people around the globe (a respect that has been draining away in recent years), it must consistently support democracy all over the world, regardless of its other economic or political interests. Because of this, the U.S. should support the rebels in democratizing revolutions such as the Arab Spring, regardless of its own ties with the dictators or the instability that may follow. Continue reading
Does Freedom of Speech Get Abused?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s London Correspondent
Many Americans consider free speech to be one of the most important rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Under the 1st Amendment, citizens have the right to practice whatever religion they choose, print whatever they like, and say whatever they like, even if these words criticize the government or America itself, without any fear of prosecution. But do the same rules apply to foreigners in the U.S.? Although most people would agree that anyone living in the U.S. has free speech in principle, the issue has become a lot murkier since 9/11 and growing fears of terrorism and anti-Americanism within the United States. Does the right to free speech extend to foreign individuals inciting hate? Does it extend to the sentiments behind terrorist attacks? The facts may be unpopular, but legally, the answer is “yes.” Continue reading
Is the U.S. Balance of Power in the Middle East Shifting?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s London Correspondent
The U.S. has valued its influence in the Middle East for many decades. A region filled with oil and dictatorships, the Middle East captivates U.S. foreign policy makers on both ideological and economic levels. Yet the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 have dramatically changed the political landscape in the region, and the U.S. must now learn to deal with the developing situation that will eventually lead to a new status quo in the Middle East. Considering that one of the U.S.’s main foreign policy goals is encouraging democracy abroad, have these revolutions been a good thing for America’s standing in the region? Unfortunately for U.S. policy makers, if not for citizens of Middle Eastern countries themselves, these revolutions have not only overthrown old dictatorships, but also the U.S.’s ability to influence politics within the region. Continue reading
Thinking Outside The Boxe 