ICAR In The News
No to Nepotism
By Saira Yamin, ICAR Ph.D. Student
(Friday Times, March 21-27, 2008)
Asif Zardari may have been the late Benazir's better half but does that qualify him to be at the country's helm of affairs? Given the controversies surrounding Mr Zardari's persona it would behoove the PPP to field a chairperson who is trusted by the people. Zardari's lofty political aspirations do note bode well for Pakistan's image abroad. If the prospect becomes real the PPP would be culpable of a disservice to Pakistan and make a mockery of its leadership potential. READ MORE
Voice of America Interviews ICAR Professor Dennis Sandole
Armenian Service
(Voice of America, March 17, 2008)
In this interview with the Armenian Service of Voice of America, Dr. Dennis J.D. Sandole, ICAR faculty, responds to questions dealing with recent, post-presidential elections' violence in Armenia and its possible linkage with renewed hostilities between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh. LISTEN TO INTERVIEW
Washington Post Features ICAR Professor Marc Gopin
In the Middle East, Achieving What Seemed Impossible
(Washington Post, March 15, 2008)
Each week, more than 50 figures from the world of faith engage in a conversation about some aspect of religion in "On Faith," an Internet feature sponsored by The Washington Post and Newsweek. Below is an excerpt of a guest essay by Marc Gopin. READ MORE
The American Elections: Prospects for a New US Foreign Policy
By Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor
(Fokus Amerika, No. 2, 2008)
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
A Mufti, A Christian, and a Rabbi
By Marc Gopin, ICAR Professor
(Washington Post-Newsweek "On Faith", March 12, 2008)
In the West, "A Mufti, a Christian and a Rabbi ..." is often how a good interfaith joke begins. But I live inside this reality. I am a rabbi and my Syrian colleague, Hind Kabawat, is a Christian Arab. We have worked for four years with the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Ahmed Hassoun, in both Damascus and Aleppo. The three of us, along with many others of courage, have put on public events in Syria for four years that no one thought possible. READ MORE
A Debate That's Way Too Loud
By Marci Moberg, ICAR M.S. Student
(Washington Times, March 11, 2008)
Danish efforts to discourage the screening of Geert Wilders' film ("TV stations refuse anti-Muslim film," World, Friday) may diminish the risk for violence but miss the greater risk of growing intolerance. In recent months, Mr. Wilders has called for Dutch Muslims to renounce their religion or leave the country and has labeled the Koran a fascist book. Though the Netherlands has remained mainly tolerant, Mr. Wilders and his supporters threaten to shift attitudes toward a perception of mismatching values and identities between Muslim immigrants and the country's citizens. READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Professor Marc Gopin
By Kate Wheeler
(CTV News, March 7, 2008)
Marc Gopin, Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and Director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution discusses the seminary shootings in Jerusalem and the impact upon the peace process. Dr. Gopin explains that high level negotiations are vulnerable to cycles of violence when trust and confidence are lacking between the Israeli and Palestinian communities. Interview conducted on CTV, March 7th, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST
WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Interviews ICAR Professor Terrence Lyons
By Kojo Nnamdi
(WAMU, March 6, 2008)
Ethiopia is Africa's second-most populous nation and a key American ally. It's also one of the most difficult political landscapes to understand. Many observers and members of the Ethiopian diaspora complain that the government is suppressing democratic activities. At the same time, the opposition remains fractured. Kojo explores the politics of Ethiopia, from Addis Ababa to Adams Morgan, and speaks with two prominent opposition leaders currently in the U.S. LISTEN TO INTERVIEW
The American Magazine Features ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Christina Hoff Sommers
(The American, March/April 2008)
Women earn most of America’s Ph.D.’s but lag in the sciences. But fixing the ‘problem’ may do more harm than good. Math 55 is advertised in the Harvard catalog as “probably the most difficult undergraduate math class in the country.” It is legendary among high school math prodigies, who hear terrifying stories about it in their computer camps and at the Math Olympiads. Some go to Harvard just to have the opportunity to enroll in it. Its formal title is “Honors Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra,” but it is also known as “math boot camp” and “a cult.” READ MORE
CTV News Interviews ICAR Ph.D. Student Jana El-Horr
By Scott Laurie
(CTV News, March 3, 2008)
Jana El-Horr, conflict analyst with the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, gives context to the escalating violence in Gaza and the impact of military actions upon the peace process as well as the political options of Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority. El-Horr discusses the prospects for conflict resolution based upon meeting the security and human needs for the Palestinians and Israel. Interview conducted on CTV March 2nd, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV.ca.WATCH BROADCAST
Let Ralph Nader Run
By Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
(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]. I am as exhilarated by Sen. Barack Obama's moment and the strength of the remaining presidential candidates as the next person, but I found no other way to read this essay but as a gratuitous attack on Ralph Nader's eclectic style of activist politics mixed with a touch of ageism. READ MORE
Daily Nebraskan Features ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Teresa Lostroh
(Daily Nebraskan, February 29, 2008)
Since the 1950s, people have assumed professors are liberal. Or so claims Solon Simmons, a professor at George Mason University, whose recent study supports this theory. He concluded that 90 percent of professors identify as either being liberal or moderate. Professors' political ideologies has long been a popular subject for debate, but only recently has empirical research been conducted to answer the left-leaning controversy. READ MORE
A New Policy for Pakistan
By Saira Yamin, ICAR Ph.D. Student
(International Herald Tribune, February 28, 2008)
The article "U.S. plans a stealthy expansion in Pakistan" (Feb 27) outlines a new U.S. policy that is finally a step in the right direction. The Bush administration's plan for economic assistance to Pakistan for 2009 must be applauded. Counter-terrorism operations that fail to address the root causes could go on indefinitely. READ MORE
Let's Hear it for the New York Phil
By Tatsuaki Tomiyama, ICAR M.S. Student
(Financial Times, February 27, 2008)
Sir, Anna Fifield could be right to say it is naive to assume Pyongyang is preparing for change just because the New York Philharmonic Orchestra visits there (“Orchestra plays at ‘ping-pong’ diplomacy”, February 23). But, isn’t it just common sense in the field of international politics that governments, whether in a bitter or friendly relationship, pursue their own interests in diverse ways? READ MORE
Virginia Informer Features ICAR Professor Solon Simmons
By Bert Mueller
(Virginia Informer, February 27, 2008)
Who are your professors donating to this presidential election? Most professors attempt to keep politics out of the classroom, but thanks to campaign finance reform, students can learn about which candidates their teachers support without asking any tough questions. READ MORE
