Airborne Toxin in Afghani High School

I know that we aren't required to post another blog this week, but while compiling my log I couldn't find my post for Week 11, so I thought I'd post this interesting article that I read yesterday. I hope you guys find it as interesting as I did!

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/03/what-caused-illness-at-3-girls-schools/

This article discusses the attack of 3 girls schools in Afghanistan last month. Three schools were gassed, harming 124 girls total. It is still unknown who attacked the school, or why, but many speculate that the Taliban is responsible. The attack itself, however, is not the most interesting part. One week after the attack, 80% of students from the three schools had returned back to school. Although parents were reluctant to send their daughters back, they decided that the risk was worth educating their daughters. These girls are the future of a war-torn country, and therefore an adequate education is necessary.

I found the growing importance of female education in Afghanistan to be quite interesting. As many of us know, the Middle East holds a reputation for failing to educate their female population. This article lets it be known that women do in fact receive and education, and that it is quite important to them and their families. In addition, the importance of education is a result of constructivism, created by each individual nation's necessity for an educated population and driven by social values among the population. As time as passed, a growing necessity for an educated population (due to the effects of war) caused the growing importance of education among women.

Yuhui's Blog Post :China’s Economic Power Unsettles the Neighbors

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/world/asia/10jakarta.html?_r=1
This article is primarily concerned with China’s swift economic growth and its impact on its neighbors. Many Asia countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, have to compete with an ever-growing Chinese economy, which is not easy.
This article reminds me of the arguments about semi-peripheral countries in the Wallerstein’s World Theory. Semi-peripheral countries have to be very cautious in terms of economic development to accelerate their development and become a core country; otherwise, they will one day find themselves peripheral countries, like Jamaica. Generally speaking, there fierce competition between semi-peripheral countries because they all desire becoming cores. The ever-growing tensions between China and other developing countries in Asia adequately demonstrate this perspective. Countries, like Vietnam and Indonesia, all strive to become cores and have to compete with an ever-growing China. Thus, there are tensions between these countries.
Constructivism does not work very well here. It cannot be applied to account for the tensions between these Asia countries.I will take the relationship between China and Vietnam as an example. China and Vietnam have very similar culture traditions and they got along pretty good in history. Before the PRC was founded, there were some trade between China and Vietnam. It might be argued that it was because of the Vietnam War that demolished the two countries relationship by Constructivism. But I think it was not very appropriate to argue this way because it is hard for constructivism give a reason for which accounts for China's decision on the Vietnam War in the first place.The problem with Constructivism is that it prioritizes political reasons over economic factors and it does not take economic relationship between countries into account. Thus it is cannot give a good explanation for the tensions between China and Vietnam.

Ellen's blog post

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/opinion/25kristof.html?ref=opinion



Nicholas Kristof is famous for publicizing horrific human rights violations that the Western world has ignored. He won his first Pulitzer prize for his work regarding the Cambodian sex trade and his second for his work regarding the genocide in Darfur.

His column today, Kristof writes about a school started in Southern Sudan, because of the ambition of Valentino Achak Deng the boy who inspired the book What is the What and the resources of the book’s author Dave Eggers. The school is a boarding school and each class comprises 50% girls. Kristof sites government statistics that last year in all of southern Sudan, only 11 girls sat for graduation exams. This school is attempting to raise that number exponentially. The administrators perpetually have to resist the constant pressure from the government officials to admit their own children. However, the school’s administrators insist that admission is based solely on test scores, with a slight preference given to orphans.

Though this school in itself is not an international event, the girls and boys that it educates may someday become players on the international stage and find peaceful solutions to the turmoil that has enveloped their country. The international support for the school, particularly from United States citizens is proof that international relations is more than just state relations. Realism cannot explain why people feel compassion for those who do not influence or threaten them at all. This school and its international support are proof that people care and effect international relations with no obvious motive other than compassion.

Here is the New York Times article about Powerpoint and the Pentagon-- it shares some similar themes with Gregory's arguments about technology influencing how complex situations are viewed.

Future Pope’s Role in Abuse Case Was Complex

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/world/europe/27vienna.html?ref=world

This is an article about current Pope Benedict’s previous responses to allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, specifically a case during the 1990s involving a high-ranking Austrian cardinal. Given the influence then-Cardinal Ratzinger seemed to hold over the Pope and other important Catholic institutions, his critics are unwilling to forgive what they perceive to be his failure to prosecute more vigorously the sexual crimes committed within the church, despite his more recent demonstrations of remorse regarding the scandal. Though the clergyman at the center of this scandal died in 2003, there is still significant interest in the way is case was handled by the current pope, a prominent example himself of the continued relevance of an undead history. The article refers to the matter as a Rorschach-type evaluation that would serve to predict his future approach to such issues. This is in itself an example of a past that is not yet past, but more broadly, the influence of the Catholic Church and its legacy retains an unsettled legacy developed over millennia of power that continues to hold serious implications for current international relations.

Noriega is extradited to France

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8645584.stm

This article discusses an event that took place about 20 years ago. A Panamanian military leader, Manuel Noriega, who previously had good relations with the US, was convicted of drug trafficking, and spent 17 years in prison in the US. After 17 years, Noriega wanted to return back to Panama to serve the rest of his sentence, but his appeals were rejected and he has now been sent to France to serve the rest of his time. This article brings up the issue of the rights of prisoners of war, one that is very much alive today. With the controversy going on in Guantanamo Bay, it is evident that the lines are still hazy concerning the label of "prisoner of war," and the rights they have. In this sense, this article brings up the past, which is still very present today.

Dream election result for Sudan's President Bashir

James Bond theories arise in Korean ship sinking

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-korea-torpedo-20100427,0,2552538.story

A 1200 ton South Korean patrol boat called the Cheonan split and sunk March 26 while it was on a mission in the disputed sea border between North and South Korea. Investigators are pointing to possible North Korea involvement suggesting the Cheonan was with struck by a floating mine or an enemy torpedo. North Korea has denied responsibility, but at least one North Korean defector and an activist in Seoul have provided details of an elite unit of 13 commandos in mini-submarines. The North Korean defector, Jang Jin-sung, who once worked within Pyongyang's spy network, said he is also convinced the Cheonan was hit by a so-called human torpedo.

I picked this article because it reminded me of our reading of Sex Among Allies from two weeks ago. The tensions that existed then between North Korea and South Korea still exist today. Instead of the prostitutes being the actors, the governments and their militaries are the actors in this situation. However, the alleged “suicide bombers” are also the actors because they are the ones being utilized by the government just as the prostitutes were. In addition, there are realist politics at play here. South Korea is contemplating how to respond to North Korea as to express appropriate retaliation, but not to come off too aggressive as to spark a nuclear war.

Iran marks anniversary of failed US rescue attempt

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100425/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_us

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press Writer – Sun Apr 25, 5:40 pm ET

On Sunday, April 25, hundreds of hard-line Iranians marked the 30th Anniversary of the failed US rescue attempt (of the Americans held hostage at the embassy. The 1980 attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, caused major embarrassment for the US when a helicopter crashed during a sandstorm, killing 8 US servicemen. The crash was (and is) a cause for celebration for some Iranians, however, who saw the event as a "divine miracle" to protect Iran from the "evil" US. Hundreds of people gathered at the crash site, as they have in previous years, nearly 400 southeast of Tehran, to remember and celebrate the event. A "Mosque of Thanks" had been built on the site, and there are plans for a museum on the site as well.

This fits well with the blog theme of "What in the 'past' is not really past?"
It also goes well with Derek Gregory's "The Colonial Present." It goes to show that events that happen in the past (even "one-time" events, like a specific accident) can have great relevance to the present. As Gregory's book implies, when one country intervenes in another there are profound consequences, often unanticipated but nonetheless long-lasting. The chain of events that led to that crash (and the response of some Iranians) is very complex. It is also interesting to think that while the US framed the conflict as Good vs. Evil (with the US being the force of good, of course), some Iranians saw it the opposite way. This just goes to show the extent that rhetoric of war is portrayed as narrative.

South Park Controversy

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/arts/television/23park.html?src=me&ref=arts
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1763

This isn't my post for the week, but just an issue I've been hearing a lot about lately and I was wondering what your opinions on it were. You've probably all heard about the controversy regarding a recent episode of "South Park" that planned to depict the Prophet Muhammad and was censored by Comedy Central after threatening statements about the shows creators appeared online. (If you haven't heard about, here a couple links to articles that describe the controversy). I have never watched "South Park" (nor do I have any desire to). If any of you watch the show (or even if you don't), what do you think about this issue? Could representations (of Muhammad and others) on this show be considered Orientalist? If portraying Muhammad is very offensive to some people, should others be allowed to do it simply because it is not offensive to them? Should the network have taken the steps they did to censor the episode? I'm not quite sure how I feel about this complex issue, and I'm curious to know what you guys think.

school lunchs as a security threat?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_school_lunches_threat

Some have called unhealthy school lunch programs a threat to national security because it leads to poor health and therefore inadequate soldiers.

This hearkens back to the day of the Boer war- around the turn of the century, Great Britain was fighting to maintain its colony in South Africa against the "Boers," the Dutch settlers. Because of the industrial revolution and the unhealthy living/working conditions in cities, many of the young men who tried to enlist in the military in Britain were deemed to be physically unfit to serve. This caused great concern and led to the establishment of education reforms, such as including physical fitness as part of education, and the promotion of sports for young men.

Edward Said videos

Here is a link to the Said interviews/videos that we watched in class today (Tuesday). You can watch the remaining segments as well if you like. A warning applies about the terribleness of youtube comments, however.

Role of Sports in International Relations

http://english.aljazeera.net/sport/2010/04/2010420174912560221.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/sport/2010/04/2010417183527498531.html

These first two links discuss recent developments in the cricket world. The first one is connects particularly well with what we discussed in class today about imagined geographies.

"Afghanistan may pose more of a threat to South Africa's hopes of winning cricket's Twenty20 World Cup than the leading nations, Proteas captain Graeme Smith said, pointing to their "war zone" mentality."

This is in a way implying that Afghanis would be more aggressive given the country they grew up in. This assumption is further implied later in the article.

"It's going to be nerve-wracking playing them. I read their opener (Karim Sadiq) said he was not scared of facing Dale Steyn and I wouldn't be either if I grew up in a war zone. That's the thing, they have no fear and they have nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous."

The second link is about a bombing that occurred outside an Indian Primer League stadium. It is currently unknown who was behind the bombings. This is not the first time the sport has been a target for attacks. "Pakistan lost co-host rights for the World Cup a year ago after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team convoy in Lahore, killing six police officers and a driver. Sports venues in India have faced tight security amid fears that Islamist radical groups may target them, with last year's IPL being held in South Africa."

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/egypt-and-algeria-brace-for-match-of-hate-sequel/

This links to a blog about the violence before an Algeria-Egyptian soccer match. Part of this violence was due to the last game played between the countries in 1989, which cause an extreme amount of violence. One Egyptian player even compared it to the war against Israel in 1973. The second game, the game that the article was blogging about, had become known as a "match of hate."

And, of course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfD134ED54&feature=related

It is clear the sports arenas are not spared from violence or political tensions. Is this simply because of the nature of sports, and their fans? Or do these international sporting events take on a boarder meaning? These players in a way represent their country. Going to the example of the "Miracle on Ice," the hockey players had nothing to do with the situation with the Soviets in Afghanistan, but that did not prevent the game from taking on a symbolic meaning. (Does anyone who has seen the movie "Miracle" remember the "Soviets: Get the puck out of Afghanistan" banner?)

It seems that these internationally-competing sports teams cannot escape political tensions or assumptions that correspond to their country. In this way, sports teams can play an interesting role in International Relations.

American Perceptions of Islam

I saw this picture the other day and thought it was relevant to we were talking about today. Someone said that we generally have more knowledge about Islam and the Middle East now than pre-9/11. For the Macalester crowd, this most likely led to a greater understanding of Middle Eastern culture, but for the rest of the US, 9/11 may remain the only thing people associate with Islam.

http://gawker.com/5520077/a-picture-of-911-is-not-a-thing-to-put-on-your-truck

Medics Call for Ban on Trans-fat in UK Food

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8622723.stm

British doctors and scientists have concluded that 7,000 deaths a year could be prevented in Britain alone by reducing trans fat consumption by a single percent. Anything above 2% (of daily caloric intake) is considered dangerous. Thus, the UK is pushing to ban fatty acids all together. We have seen similar bans in NYC and Denmark.

However, if this ban is “successful” in the UK, will similar bans be made across the globe? In the US? Why or why not? Moreover, is it the government’s place to be placing bans on certain foods in the first place? (What’s next, a universal ban of potato chips?)

This article explores the extend of a government’s control, as well as the international "domino effect" this ban may inspire.

Also consider that the UK runs under the precautionary principal, meaning that it requires less scientific evidence and debate when attempting to enforce bans such as this: thus expediting the process considerably.

Airlines Press Europe to Ease Ban on Flights

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/world/europe/19ash.html?scp=2&sq=airlines&st=cse

“Airlines Press Europe to Ease Ban on Flights”

This article deals with the crisis many European travelers have been facing since the eruption of Iceland’s volcano. The eruption released a massive cloud of ash that now has drifted over much of the European mainland. Initially, many predictions showed that if an aircraft were to fly through the ash the engines would stall. However, this article shows that now airlines are pushing for test flights to see if this is actually the case. Many European airlines are putting pressure on governments to reopen their airspace and allow flights to take off. These airlines have suffered financial losses of almost $50 billion over the last decade, and losses due to the current crisis are almost $1 billion in lost revenue. It has been theorized that if flights continue to be grounded some of the weaker airlines could go under. Also, some airlines have refunded their passengers for tickets or offered free rescheduling services on flights that have been cancelled due to the ash.

This situation could have grave effects on the international relations within Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world. With many airports across Europe closed, the international travel and trade-related industries will suffer greatly if this continues much longer. The ash cloud and the authorities policies regarding flights not only affect the airline industry but also the tourist industry and any industry that ships goods using airfreight carriers. As should be evident at this point, any situation that affects international trade negatively has severe consequences on relations between nations.

Thai army defends business area from "red shirts"

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63H06E20100420

Remember how last time I mentioned that speculation was the situation was gonna get violent? Well, our friends in Bangkok didn't disappoint it would seem. Currently, red shirts are threatening to descend upon Bangkok's business district, causing the government to reinforce it with armed forces. Speculation that there could be a coup is growing and the stability of Thailand continues to deteriorate. The protestors (who call themselves the Red Shirts) are demanding early elections and are backed by the former prime minster.

In this case, you have a realist power structure clashing up against an objective power structure. The government of Thailand is attempting to operate like an objective power structure. It is making power assessments and deciding how to strategically engage the red shirts, by defending critical areas (such as the financial district) with an overwhelming display of force. They are the states, the primary actors, who in theory should not be influenced by internal affairs of the states (ie protests). However, they are clearly disturbed by the turn of events and are responding to the rebels. Only by claiming the rebels count as a de facto state could you keep this situation within a solely realist worldview. However, it is realist in that the objective power structure that the Thai government adheres to has little regard for human rights and freedoms. It doesn't feel that holding new elections now will be necessary and the regime is currently as military dictatorship. There would seem to be no normative structures that the Thai government feels beholden to.

However, the protestors feel that the government should be accountable to the people. The fact that they would risk doing something about this when the odds (objectively) are stacked significantly against them shows that realist power considerations don't heavily influence their thinking. It would seem that other considerations better inform their decisions. Firstly, their belief in basic human rights and beliefs seems to imply that they hold a liberal philosophy. This is the causative element that explains their decisions.However, the way that they are going about it goes against the basic good element of people that liberals espouse as well. Therefore, we are left to assume that constructivism most likely informs their decision making, that the normative acceptance of violent clashes and revolutions made it possible for this kind of process to take place.

Despite Advice, Many Fail to Breast-Feed

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/health/20stat.html?ref=health

This article presents evidence stating that the more educated a woman is, the more likely she is to breast feed. Now commonly considered one of the best practices for a healthy child, development and future health, breast feeding is highly encouraged by health providers and by the national government. Yet education is not the only factor influencing who breast feeds and who doesn't. The article states that african american women with college degrees are less likely to breastfeed than white women with college degrees. This implies that breast feeding is somewhat of a cultural practice, and not only hangs on education.

This article really makes me reflect on the policies that shape 1) education and 2) cultural norms. People with better health care are usually better educated. They recieve more preventetive procedures and take prevenetative (such as breast feeding), which ultimately betters their quality of life and the quality of life of their children. This ciclical measure of good health is generally feuled by government policies. The United States has a higher level of health education overall, which through its policies is encouraging breast feeding to women on a natural level. Yet in some nations there are cultural factors that might influence what the government promots generally as far as health care goes, what they are able to educate thier citizens on, and what they are able to warn women against. When a government is unable to give or even teach about preventative health care, quality of life and life expectancy are much harder to increase.

If health is a universal human right, and some governments cannot afford to extend it to all of itz citizens, there becomes a political and social disparity between nations, and classes within nations.

Sinking of the Cheonan

http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2010/04/looks-like-an-external-explosion

http://defensestatecraft.blogspot.com/2010/04/cheonan-sunk-by-external-explosion.html

Ah the sea. Briney air, ocean breeze. Nothing but bright blue in...*siren* OH S**T! OH S**T! TORPEDO! BRACE FOR IMPACT! *KABLAM*

Why is it that naval vessels and mysterious explosions have so much war starting potential? The Gulf of Tonqin Incident and the explosion of the USS Maine give us great examples of that. Now we have the explosion of the South Korean patrol boat, the ROKS Cheonan. Though I suppose here the explosion is not so mysterious (Investigators ruled out an internal explosion, no mine has been found in Korean waters since the 1980s, leaving a torpedo as the sole culprit). All this makes for some interesting international relationing. Anecdotally, it seems fairly obvious that North Korea is responsible for this attack (who else in the Yellow Sea is gonna take pot shots at a South Korean patrol boat with torpedoes?). In terms of North Korea's relationship with the rest of the international community, though, this really doesn't make sense. What reason would North Korea have for making an attack like this? It's not as if North Korea is going to benefit from the increased attention they're receiving as a result of the attack, the attack is simply going to make North Korea's position in the international community worse, decreasing the chances of North Korea ever resolving the sanctions that are currently suffocating its economy. My guess? Kim Jong Il had nothing to do with this attack. Someone either on the North Korean boat or in the command hierarchy immediately above the captain of the boat screwed up.

Mood Is Dark as Israel Marks 62nd Year as a Nation

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/world/middleeast/20israel.html?hp

This article describes the lead up to Israel's independence day. According to the article this year there is "something about the mood this year that feels darker than usual", describing some of the worries being experienced by the country as of late. In addition to fear of Iran developing and employing a nuclear weapon, Israel is concerned with the growing tensions between themselves and the Obama administration. Furthermore, the data taken from a poll conducted by BBC shows that Israel along with Iran, North Korea and Pakistan are viewed least favorably by people around the world. Additionally, Israel argues that they are still rejected and resented by most of the arab world, due to their existence.

This article may be evaluated through a constructivist perspective. Constructivism, argues that states relations are a result of the way in which they perceive each other. In this situation Israel is preoccupied with Iran's development of a nuclear weapon because they perceive Iran to be a danger to themselves. According Gregory, this is due to the way in which Israel has defined themselves in accordance to Iran and the other arabic states that surround it. Therefore there sense of insecurity comes from them having defined themselves as "the other" or the opposite of what the arab states. This comes from both states perceiving themselves as being inherently different from the other, in terms of religion and culture, ultimately leading these states to being in conflict with each other. This may be seen as Mr. Netanyahu stated that "Israel must again become an inalienable part of the West". Thus, differentiating themselves from what is considered to be oriental.