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Economics

The Geopolitics of Oil

February 9, 2013

Molly Williamson, former Foreign Service Officer with the rank of Career Minister, is an expert on energy, economic and demographic factors affecting foreign policy formulation, US-Middle East relations, especially the Israel-Palestine conflict, Iran and nuclear challenges, and the inter-agency process

How do energy, economic and demographic factors affect US foreign policy decision-making as they relate to America’s relations in the Middle East and especially the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Iran and its nuclear challenges as well as their roles within the US government’s inter-agency policy making process?

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The Geopolitics of Oil2019-05-01T14:20:27-07:00

Fish vs. Cattle: Conflict Mitigation in South Sudan

September 24, 2012

Patrick Murphy, was the “fisheries expert” for the USAID project in South Sudan under the direction of AECOM

South Sudan gained its independence from Muslim (North) Sudan in 2011 after decades of hot and cold Civil War.  The world rejoiced.  The Arab North would no longer be oppressing the non-Arab, non-Muslim South.  Unfortunately the regions and tribes of the newly independent country had been united mostly by their opposition to the North.  The new country, unfortunately, is still riven by tribal and other sub-national rivalries, some  older than the bloody conflict with the North.  Other questions arose.  How would the new country define itself?  How could it reconcile its jealous components?  How could it redirect its peoples’ energies in a manner consistent with the modern world? (more…)

Fish vs. Cattle: Conflict Mitigation in South Sudan2019-05-01T14:20:28-07:00

Rebuilding Iraq: What worked? What Didn’t? What Next?

November 17, 2011

Richard S.D. Hawkins, led an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team of 40 subject matter experts in the rural and conflict laden eastern and southern zones of Baghdad Province from February 2008-April 2009

Central to the U.S. effort to help Iraq rebuild were the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, civilian-led groups of experts in governance, economic development, urban planning, basic services, agriculture, elections, women’s and family issues, and other specialties, some of which were embedded with US military units.  With the U.S. Government scheduled to withdraw all troops from Iraq by December 2011, the Iraq reconstruction effort has come under intense scrutiny. What was it like to live in rural Iraq trying to create jobs, help widows, rebuild water and sewer systems, and foster reconciliation among tribal enemies? Do the results justify the many millions spent? Can or should the U.S. seek continuing benefit from its investment of money, time and talent? What have we learned about trying to provide development assistance in the midst of conflict? (more…)

Rebuilding Iraq: What worked? What Didn’t? What Next?2019-05-01T14:20:28-07:00

Crisis in the Eurozone: Germany and the PIGS

September 30, 2011

Christine Sauer, Professor of Economics and Director of the International Studies Institute at the University of New Mexico. A native of Germany, she received her undergraduate training at the University of Kiel

Fear of contagion from the 18-month old Greek debt crisis grips other Eurozone countries with high fiscal deficits, large public debts and/or weak banks.  Financial markets are on edge.  Public discontent is at an all-time high.  How did we get here?  Is the Eurozone doomed? What should Germany’s role be?  And who are the PIGS? (more…)

Crisis in the Eurozone: Germany and the PIGS2019-05-01T14:20:28-07:00

Thailand: Prosperous but Divided

December 6, 2010

William Itoh, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand (1995-1999) and currently currently Director of Washington International Programs for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

In May 2010, Bangkok erupted in flames.  Some 91 Thai were killed, over 2,000 were  injured and 400 were arrested in a military crackdown resulting in  emergency rule after a nine week siege by the Red Shirts, a populist political movement consisting largely of farmers and factory workers from the country’s rural areas. They supported the ousted and exiled prime minister and former telecommunications magnate Thaksin Shinawatra. Although the opposition Yellow Shirts representing the Bangkok establishment and the Thai military regained control the government, large anti-government protests erupted in September, suggesting potential trouble ahead, especially since the country’s revered 82 year old King has been in the hospital for over a year.  Despite the turmoil and uncertainty, the country’s GDP rose 7.2{fe681502a50b39155a3ca75d1ea8a550fe0ee8275f6f89ef466f508ac0f80879} last year.

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Thailand: Prosperous but Divided2019-05-01T14:20:30-07:00
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