Issues

History should matter II
History should matter II

Blogs, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues

History should matter II

President Barack Obama has come under increasing criticism for being weak, vacillating in the use of American power. The infamous “red line” drawn over Bashir al Assad’s use of chemical weapons, along with allegations of failing to act more decisively in Syria and Ukraine and the infamous and seemingly toothless “pivot to Asia” are exhibits a, b and c in these allegations. Allies and partners around the world are described as alarmed over the seeming absence of U.S. leadership along with a rapid decline in the authority of and respect for America. But wait----have we not been here before? Pick a year. 1968 is a good choice. In late [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:11+02:00May 27th, 2014|Blogs, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues|0 Comments

Democracy ain’t always a good export
Democracy ain’t always a good export

America, Blogs, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions

Democracy ain’t always a good export

China now exports money. Russia exports gas and oil. The Netherlands sends millions of flowers abroad every day. And, more than occasionally, America tries to export democracy. The tension over sending democracy abroad has been measured in terms of George Washington’s pragmatism versus Woodrow Wilson’s idealism, the latter elevated to grander status by Jack Kennedy’s solemn commitment to “pay any price and bear any burden” to defend freedom and liberty. All modern American presidents have paid at least lip service to defending freedom and democracy and more than a few have threatened or gone to war to uphold those principles. A searing question is with what effect? For [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:11+02:00May 27th, 2014|America, Blogs, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions|0 Comments

Daca tot platim facturile…
Daca tot platim facturile…

Adrian Marius Dobre., Blogs, Economics, Europa/Rusia, Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Daca tot platim facturile…

Europa se afla intr-un moment in care nu mai poate resuscita cu nimic “Strategia Europa 2020”, astfel ca este necesara o revizuire a obiectivelor UE 2020, in special pentru ocuparea fortei de munca, cercetare, reducerea saraciei, eficienta energetica si cresterea economica. Revizuirile intermediare si incercarile de a bifa cifrele calculate in momentul realizarii strategiei devin impedimente in atingerea unor obiective care sa se plieze mai bine pe necesitatile si realitatile actuale, care au fost profund si structural conturate de criza politico-economico-sociala. Asadar se impune o reactualizare a acestor cifre si a obiectivelor per ansamblu. De exemplu criza economica a afectat in mod vadit si pregnant piata muncii. Rata somajului a [...]

By Adrian Marius Dobre|2017-11-14T21:28:11+02:00May 20th, 2014|Adrian Marius Dobre., Blogs, Economics, Europa/Rusia, Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

History should matter
History should matter

America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Regions

History should matter

Given the large turnover in newly elected members of both houses of Congress and the ascent of the twenty-somethings to positions of power in the White House, it is pretty clear why American governments suffer from near fatal bouts of historical amnesia or, worse, ignorance. Understanding the past is not a panacea for predicting the future. But not every crisis or issue is tabula rosa and many have roots deep in history. Some regard the situation in Ukraine and Crimea as a new form of political warfare. Much of this overly hyped and misinformed description is mistakenly based on former KGB lieutenant colonel Vladimir Putin’s background in the intelligence service. [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:11+02:00May 13th, 2014|America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Regions|0 Comments

America strikes out (again!)
America strikes out (again!)

America, Blogs, Global Governance, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

America strikes out (again!)

Two writers as different and diverse as Charles Dickens and Carl von Clausewitz set the context for American politics in the 21st century. More Americans would agree that the worst is getting the better of the best of times at home and internationally. The U.S. economy is sputtering and from Afghanistan to Ukraine chaos and violence have displaced peace and stability as the leading edge indicators. Against this rather bleak outlook, theoretically viable and even straight-forward solutions exist. To deal with the economy, reform of the tax code and regulatory and immigration systems and creation of a national infrastructure bank are self-evident actions that should be easily implemented. And likewise, [...]