ICAR News Network
2008 U.S. Elections
FEATURED COMMENTARY
Dear Mr. President: Mason Experts Offer Foreign Policy Advice
Analysis by Susan Allen Nan and Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professors
Posted: 09/18/08
[Published, Mason Gazette, September 18, 2008] In a weekly series running from now until the election, the Mason Gazette will present the views of Mason faculty experts on a variety of important campaign issues. This week's focus is on foreign policy. Susan Allen Nan,
Assistant professor, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution: "America needs to stop thinking short term about our interests in oil and markets and start thinking long term about our need to build respectful relationships of reciprocity and trust with partners around the world. READ MORE
RECENT COMMENTARY
CTV News Interview: Joe Biden Selected as Obama's VP
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/23/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, August 23, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV before Obama's announcement that Joe Biden was selected as the Vice Presidential running mate. Simmons examines the selection of Biden and the demographics which he should shore up for Obama including older voters, Catholics, and the white working class. Interview conducted by Jacqueline Milczarek on August 23rd, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: US Presidential Forum
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/16/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, August 16, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV after the appearance of McCain and Obama at the Civil Forum hosted by evangelical leader Rick Warren. Simmons notes that values issues important to evangelicals are shifting to include things like the economy and observes the significance of Obama's admission that evil does exists. Interview conducted by Scott Laurie on August 16th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV.WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Oprah to Accompany Obama to the Convention
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/14/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, August 14, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV discusses the effect of Oprah Winfrey's support for Obama's campaign and the signals she sends to voters, particularly those that would not have participated otherwise. Simmons also examines the significant role that Hillary Clinton will have at the convention and John McCain's strong response to the crisis in Georgia. Interview conducted by Jacqueline Milczarek on August 14th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Nader Campaigns with Americans Living in Canada
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/12/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, August 11, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV discussing Nader's candidacy in the context of the American political left. Simmons also comments on the negative turn the McCain campaign has taken by invoking celebrity and gender by using Paris Hilton, as well as the subdued responses of President Bush and both of the major candidates to the war between Russia and Georgia. Interview conducted by Dan Matheson on August 11th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Canada AM Interview: Obama's Speech to 200,000 Germans in Berlin
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 07/25/08
[Television Interview, Canada AM, July 25, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canada AM discussing Obama's Berlin speech to over 200,000 Germans. Simmons comments on the increase in global engagement that Obama's foreign policy promises and describes the candidate's aptitude as a pre-persuader, framing events in such a way as to create new realities. Interview conducted by Seamus O'Regan on July 25th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
Game Emblematic of Party Politics
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 07/23/08
[Published, Roll Call, July 23, 2008] Last week's 47th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park, between the Republicans and the Democrats, could not have been more emblematic of the state of American party politics ("GOP Wins Trophy in Nail-Biter," July 18). That the Republicans won for the eighth straight year, taking 11 of the last 12 games, is not insignificant. Despite this year’s nail-biter, the recent record implies that Republicans know how to do "America" - in this case, baseball, a favorite American pastime - much better than the Democrats. READ MORE
CTV News Interview: Obama in Iraq
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 07/22/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, July 21, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV discussing the reception of presidential candidate Barack Obama in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simmons says that the citizens of former colonies like Afghanistan and Iraq are aware that Obama has a chance to become the first person of African descent to lead a great power. Simmons also discussed McCain's response to Obama's trip and the upcoming selection of running-mates. Interview conducted by Kate Wheeler on July 21, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Clinton Suspends Campaign, Backs Obama
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 06/07/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, June 7, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University on CTV following Hillary Clinton's suspension of her campaign and support for Obama. Simmons anticipates that Clinton's supporters will vote for Obama over McCain and observes that Obama is embracing a 50-state strategy or "Dean's Gambit." Interview conducted by Jacqueline Milczarek on June 7th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Obama is the Nominee
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 06/03/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, June 3, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University on CTV discussing the conclusion of the Democratic Primaries and Obama's apparent clinching of the nomination. Simmons analyzes the historic significance of this outcome, the role of the Clintons in the Democratic party, the need for Obama to tell the story about his relationship with Pastor Wright and Trinity, as well as potential running mates. Interview conducted by Marcia MacMillan with guest Avis Jones-Deweever from the National Council of Negro Women, on June 3rd, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Democratic Decision: Florida and Michigan Delegates
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 05/31/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, May 31, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University talking about the Democratic Party's decision on the seating of delegates from Florida and Michigan. SImmons describes the process as a "smoke filled room without the smoke," suggesting that deals may be made and the outcomes are uncertain. Interview conducted by Scott Laurie on May 31st, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
McCain's Irresponsibly Rosy Outlook on Iraq, Afghanistan
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 05/21/08
[Published, 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 Interview: Obama Captures Majority of Pledged Delegates
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 05/20/08
[Television Interview, 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. Interview conducted by Marcia Macmillan on May 20th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
CTV News Interview: Edwards Boosts Obama Campaign
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 05/16/08
[Television Interview, 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
CTV News Interview: Democratic Battle in NC and IN
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 05/06/08
[Television Interview, 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 Interview: Democrats Split 50-50 Heading Into Final Primaries
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 05/04/08
[Television Interview, 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
CTV News Interview: Jeremiah Wright Speaks Out on Race in America
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 04/28/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, April 28, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on Canadian TV analyzing the recent statements of Reverend Jeremiah Wright at the NAACP conference in Detroit and at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Simmons identifies the issues which have brought Jeremiah Wright into the national spotlight and examines the impact of Wright upon the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. Interview conducted by Dan Matheson on April 28th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
The American Elections: Prospects for a New US Foreign Policy
Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor
Posted: 03/13/08
Predicting the foreign policies that American presidential candidates will embrace after attaining power is rather like trying to foresee the course of a marriage by analyzing the wedding ceremony. Where domestic issues like health insurance or tax reform are concerned, the candidates are accustomed to outlining programs which, however vague or impractical they may be, give at least an inkling of what they might attempt to accomplish once in office. READ MORE
Let Ralph Nader Run
Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 03/01/08
[Published, Washington Post, March 1, 2008]
Harold Meyerson has long been one of the Left's most trenchant and interesting political analysts, but his artful juxtaposition of Ralph Nader and Fidel Castro was unfair ["Winter of the Patriarchs," op-ed, Feb. 27]. READ MORE
CTV News Interview: Ralph Nader and the Third Party Role in US Politics
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 02/24/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, February 24, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, talks to CTV about Ralph Nader's announcement that he is running fro President. Simmons discusses the role of third parties in American politics, Nader's attempt to pressure the Democrats to shift to the left, and the negligible impact of Nader as a spoiler.
Interview conducted by Jennifer Ward on February 24, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV NewsWATCH BROADCAST
To An Aspiring President
Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor
Posted: 02/17/08
[Published, Washington Post, February 17, 2008] James Mann's review of Samantha Power's Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World (Book World, Feb. 10) suggests to me three reasons to recommend the book to, among others, the first post-Bush president of the United States. The first is that the United Nations can only be as effective as its members allow it to be. READ MORE
CTV's The Verdict Interview: Post-Super Tuesday Analysis
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 02/07/08
[Television Interview, CTV News' The Verdict, February 6, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, interviewed on CTV following the "Super Tuesday" presidential primaries. Simmons discusses the simmering class conflict in the Republic Party between the social and economic conservatives. Simmons also addresses the perspectives of women, Latino and African American voters on the remaining Democrat contenders, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
US Primaries After South Carolina: Analysis by Solon Simmons
Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 01/27/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, January 27, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution interviewed on CTV in following the South Carolina Presidential Primaries. Simmons discusses the role of race, former President Bill Clinton, and the position of the candidates moving ahead to Florida and Super Tuesday. Video courtesy of CTV.ca. WATCH BROADCAST
Looking Presidential on Pakistan
Saira Yamin , ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted: 01/16/08
[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, January 16, 2008] As the race for the White House heats up, Presidential candidates are using the turmoil in Pakistan to show off their foreign policy credentials. Unfortunately few of the candidates have demonstrated a clear understanding of the complexities Pakistan presents, including the political situation, nuclear safeguards, al-Qaeda, and terrorism.READ MORE
McCain's Two Wars
Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted: 01/15/08
[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, January 15, 2008] For many Democrat voters, John McCain represents the least bad Republican presidential candidate on the ballot. Democrats not wanting the Bible in the White House are disinclined toward southern Baptist Mike Huckabee, and those not wanting a doubled-in-size Guantanamo or an immigrant-free America find Mitt Romney completely unlikable. McCain seems to be the most willing to build bipartisan coalitions, the most willing to give detainees legal representation, and the most willing to tackle global warming - all of which makes many Democrat voters fonder of McCain than any other Republican candidate. READ MORE
New Hampshire Primaries: Analysis by Solon Simmons
Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 01/06/08
[Television Interview, CTV News, January 6, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, analyzes the New Hampshire Presidential Primaries, putting the New England state primary in context with previous presidential campaigns, the Iowa caucus, and upcoming nationwide primaries. Video courtesy of CTV.ca. WATCH BROADCAST
Huckabee: Heroic Conservative?
By Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 12/26/07
[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, December 26, 2007] Standing in prime position in the final weeks of pre-primary campaigning, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee seems poised to potentially rout his two major contenders, candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney in the upcoming caucuses. There is reason for Huckabee's recent rise to Republican stardom. The former Arkansas governor combines an unmistakable realism with both heroic and social conservatism. This unique combination plays well among a broad Republican base, and its implication for foreign policy is noteworthy. READ MORE
Pakistan Tempts the Democrats
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted:11/18/07
[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, November 18, 2007] The Democratic presidential candidates have been salivating for a situation like Pakistan to come along the campaign trail. Eternally looking soft on security and stuck with no road map for Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan offers the candidates an opportunity to brandish new security strategies. With President Pervez Musharraf's violent crackdown on opposition parties, human rights organizations, media, lawyers, and the general populace, they have the perfect opportunity to posture. Trouble is, however, with Democratic White House hopefuls Obama, Biden, Clinton, and Edwards slating new strategies for Pakistan: they all have got their analysis flat wrong. READ MORE
Talking Tough: How Obama Can Fight Extremism in Pakistan
By Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 08/15/07
[Published, International Herald Tribune/Daily News, August 14, 2007] For those of us who believe in diplomacy, Senator Barack Obama’s recent pledge to dialogue with Cuba, North Korea and Iran offered a much-needed ray of hope. Amidst the security tough-talk by Democratic presidential hopefuls, at least one leading candidate was committed to a conversation. Ironically, undermining her own campaign slogan (“Let the Conversation Begin”) Senator Hillary Clinton quickly dismissed it as naive.READ MORE
America's Next Foreign Policy: How Can CR Fit In?
By Rephael T. Houston, ICAR Certificate Student
Posted: 08/01/07
In the July/August 2007 issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, presidential candidates, Barack Obama, a Democrat, and Mitt Romney, a Republican, presented their respective views on “America’s next foreign policy”. Although their views differ, vis-à-vis the scope of threats to the U.S., there seems to be consensus on the need to increase military ground force levels and spending overall. On this matter, conflict resolution theory can inform their policies. Practitioners should make every effort to ensure that - no matter whom wins - conflict resolution theory informs the next President’s policies. Thus, an understanding of how the candidates frame the challenges to U.S. security is necessary in order to map out points of entry. READ MORE
Clinton vs. Obama: A Revealing Picture?
By Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 03/01/07
[Published, New York Times, February 28, 2007] To the Editor: Re ''Mud, Dust, Whatever'' (column, Feb. 26):
I was happy to see Bob Herbert's comments on the scuffle between the Clinton and Obama camps. Reviewing the coverage over the last week, I find that most professional commentators seem to suggest that both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton came through equally scathed. I surmise that marquee media cycles hurt candidates only when they highlight a weakness. READ MORE
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