For those who don't know the number, 419 refers to the section of the Nigerian penal code related to fraud. Unfortunately, Nigeria has become famous worldwide for scams, the abuse of oil money and endemic corruption. As always, the reality behind the image is much more complex.[...]
Archive for the ‘Foreign Affairs’ Category
July 6th, 2011 - 23:58 § in Foreign Affairs, Politics
When to Go In
A brutal dictator crushes dissent. As freedom loving people try to improve their lot, tyrants in Syria, Libya, Burma, Zimbabwe and elsewhere respond with deadly force. When we see the tragic images of citizens fighting for their future, we want to do something about it. When there is a rebelli[...]
June 29th, 2011 - 23:50 § in Foreign Affairs, Politics
“Asian Values” RIP
It is often said that people from diverse cultures want different types of government. While this is undoubtedly true to some extent, defenders of authoritarian political systems often exaggerate this argument to defend non-democratic governments. Once upon a time, the “Asian Values” m[...]
April 27th, 2011 - 05:20 § in Foreign Affairs
A U.S. Peacekeeping Force
In the near future it will happen again: We will see a crisis unfolding in a distant country and will ask ourselves what we can do to help ‑‑ or even whether we should be involved. As our television screens fill with scenes of human despair, we will ask if this is the time to [...][...]
