ICAR In The News
McCain's Irresponsibly Rosy Outlook on Iraq, Afghanistan
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
(The Hill, May 21, 2008)
That Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cavalierly quips about first-term presidential accomplishments is not only deeply disconcerting, but also morally irresponsible (article, "McCain vows unprecedented transparency," May 15). Half-baked heroism has handily usurped the Straight Talk Express. The only unprecedented part of McCain's presidential pitch is the level of delusion embedded in his benchmarking. READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Marcia MacMillan
(CTV News, May 20, 2008)
Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian TV analyzing the Democratic primary process as elections are winding down and the nomination approaches. Simmons discusses the case that Obama and Clinton are making for the nomination in light of the pledged and super delegates and the rules of Democratic Party. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Marc Gopin
By Scott Laurie
(CTV News, May 18, 2008)
Marc Gopin, Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and Director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution addresses the likelihood of a mid-east peace deal by the end of this year. Gopin considers the legacy of the Bush administration and what could be done in its remaining time. Interview conducted on by Scott Laurie on May 18th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Israelis Are Talking to Hamas
By Marc Gopin, ICAR Professor
(Middle East Times, May 16, 2008)
There are Israeli Jews who have been talking to Hamas for years, especially Rabbi Menahem Frohman. In fact, even more Israeli Jews – official and unofficial – would be talking not only to Hamas, but also to Syria and Iran were the White House not pressuring them against dialogue with enemies of Israel. This is unprecedented: a third party, supposedly mediating for peace, that forbids two parties from talking to each other. READ MORE
Why Not Firm Call for UN Reform?
By Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
(Financial Times, May 16, 2008)
Sir, Heavy on protestation, light on substance, Robert Kagan's call for a concert of democratic countries begs a hypothetical test run ("The case for a league of democracies", May 14). Test three of the globe's burning blisters - genocide, climate change and human rights violations - to determine how a league might more effectively lean on such ills and the results hardly generate momentum. READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Kate Wheeler
(CTV News, May 15, 2008)
Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian TV evaluating the impact of former presidential candidate John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama. Simmons believes that Edwards support may help demonstrate that Obama can win over the "class and the common man side of the Democratic Party." Interview conducted by Kate Wheeler on May 15th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Victory for Forces of Serb Enlightenment - But More to Do
By Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor
(Financial Times, May 15, 2008)
Sir, Serb voters have confounded the pundits by favouring the pro-European Union Democratic party of President Boris Tadic over the nationalist Radical party (“Tadic defeats hardliners in Serbia's elections”, May 12). What is particularly surprising to many observers of the Balkans is that this turnaround – the Radicals were expected to come out on top as they had in last year's parliamentary elections – occurred even though Serbs in Kosovo were allowed to vote. READ MORE
Congratulations to Hu for Seeking Sino-Japanese Detente
By Tatsuaki Tomiyama, ICAR MS Student, and Fei Fan
(Financial Times, May 15, 2008)
Sir, As citizens of Japan and China, we were quite surprised that your article "Hu makes friends with old foe" (May 9) missed the fact that the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations at the official level is the result of decades-long efforts at the popular level. As your article understandably says, the Japanese must learn about and make clear apologies for their past wrongdoings, and China's extreme nationalists must recognise that calls for revenge will prove neither constructive nor realistic. READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Dennis Sandole
By Jacqueline Milczarek
(CTV News, May 11, 2008)
Dennis Sandole, Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University on CTV following the election victory of the pro-western party over the nationalists. Sandole examines the impact of potential EU membership on this vote and calls for more engagement from the next US president. Interview conducted on May 11th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV.WATCH BROADCAST
Canada AM Interviews ICAR PhD Student Sam Rizk
By Seamus O'Regan
(Canada AM, May 9, 2008)
Sam Rizk, conflict analyst at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian AM discussing the recent violence in Lebanon. Rizk examines the relationship between political structures and the various identity groups, given changing demographics. Interview conducted by Seamus O'Regan on May 8th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Bridging the Gap
By Stacy Stryjewski, ICAR Adjunct Faculty
(Higher Education Consortia, Spring 2008)
When I first sat down to write this column, I did what most experienced writers do…Google® the topic. After several rounds of search criteria, I came upon links that highlighted “Academia vs. Industry” and “Academia vs. ‘The Real World’.” I was surprised to see it in writing—“the real world.” The artificial battle sounds a bit like a scene from The Matrix, where professors and scholars have mistakenly settled for the red pill and now live in a world where classrooms hold pods disguised as students. I exaggerate the point but it does seem like a statement of challenge that places academics in a position of self-justification and alienation. READ MORE
Morocco a Stable East-West Bridge
Vanessa Noël Brown, ICAR M.S. Student, and Andrew Kessinger
(Washington Post-Newsweek "On Faith" Blog, May 7, 2008)
Between Afghanistan and America, situated at the crossroads of Eastern-Western civilization, lies a low-key ally in the fight against religious intolerance and extremism: Morocco. Despite the headlines painting this region as the new front on terror, Moroccans object to their country becoming a base for western-focused extremism and are determined to prevent Al Qaeda from securing a foothold in this corner of the Maghreb. READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Dan Matheson
(CTV News, May 6, 2008)
Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian TV the day of the Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Simmons discusses blue collar politics, super delegates, and the lasting impact of Jeremiah Wright. Interview conducted by Dan Matheson on May 6th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Scott Laurie
(CTV News, May 4, 2008)
Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian TV analyzing tension and uncertainty surrounding the Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Simmons discusses the role of the super delegates and the need for healing inside of the Democratic party before the convention. Interview conducted by Scott Laurie on May 4th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Journal of Peace Research Features ICAR PhD Student Anam Gnaho
Book Review by Anam Gnaho
(Journal of Peace Research, May 2008)
[Review: Smith, Hazel & Paul Stares, eds, 2007. Diasporas in Conflict: Peace Makers or Peace Wreckers.] Contemporary international conflicts are increasingly becoming unrestricted, involving non-state actors such as refugees and other diaspora groups. Thus, it would no longer be enough to try to understand global violent conflict dynamics without incorporating the migrant community. Edited by Hazel Smith, a professor of International Relations at the University of Warwick, UK, and Paul Stares, director of the Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention at the United States Institute of Peace, Diasporas in Conflict: Peace Makers or Peace Wreckers examines the political mobilization of diasporas and their roles in their homeland peace and conflict. READ MORE
