The Devil Made Me Do It

Do you know why Latinos are coming to America? It is not because of the jobs, schools, or great tv shows like Grey's Anatomy, but because the devil made them do it. It is all part of his insidious plan to bring down America from the inside. Nevermind that most Latinos are devoutly religious...And students ask why I study International Relations instead of internal domestic politics, I present exhibit number one.

Satan behind illegal immigration, Utah County Republican claims
"In order for Satan to establish his 'New World Order' and destroy the freedom of all people as predicted in the Scriptures, he must first destroy the U.S.," his resolution states. "The mostly quiet and unspectacular invasion of illegal immigrants does not focus the attention of the nations the way open warfare does, but is all the more insidious for its stealth and innocuousness."

RIP David Halberstam

David Halderstam just died and I wanted honor and support the work of a man who wrote on two subjects close to my heart, politics and sports. I will never forget reading the Fifties as an undergrad, one of the first 'textbooks' I ever enjoyed reading.

New Approach to Diversity in Faculty Hires

Typically when we seek to hire diverse candidates, a hiring committee adds a name to the short list of someone who might be a minority. This new approach sounds like the best option, instead department should seek to hire any minority they deem of suitable quality, regardless of field. In this way departments might be able to increase the numbers of minority profs (which is important if the student pool is diverse) who have a better chance at tenure.

New Approach to Diversity

"Which is more important — that a department have all of its disciplinary subfields represented or that it diversify its faculty?...But as a small liberal arts university in a rural setting, Colgate has a hard time holding on to minority professors — and so needs to keep hiring them as well as trying to encourage more of them to make their careers at the university. Roelofs has asked departments to flop the second and third criteria. Excellence will stay on top, but diversity would generally trump subfield choice."

Last time I picked on France so I guess its fair I pick on England now. I happen to like the country since lately I have been hooked on English tea, Manchester United, and the Kaiser Chiefs. In any case, I am definitely going to read this book.

The Evil Empire: 101 Ways England Ruined the World
"They invented slums. They invented child labor. They put Saddam Hussein in power. They burned Joan of Arc at the stake, and they enslaved the globe to get their tea fix. We're talking about England, of course, and the terrible evils they've set loose on the world. In The Evil Empire, American author Steven Grasse documents the 101 worst atrocities of Mother England everything from foxhunting to the invention of the concentration camp. With an irreverent mix of historical facts, smart commentary, and red-blooded American arrogance, Grasse offers a devastating critique of the country that gave us the machine gun, factory labor, and the metric system. Publishing just in time for the Queen's birthday (April 21), The Evil Empire is essential reading for true-blue Americans and others oppressed by the English throughout history."

Chomskey and Zinn on Vietnam, Iraq, and History

Seems like an interesting interview. Conservatives probably should not read this for fear of heart attacks.

In Rare Joint Interview, Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn on Iraq, Vietnam, Activism and History

Miss Mexico

I don't even know where to begin with this one.

Reading for Rivalry

Leskiw and Valeriano reading for next week is located here

The Hensel, Diehl, and Goertz article can be found here

Intro to IR Schedule

Here is our schedule for the rest of the semester:
April 19: International Law
April 24: Balance of Power
April 26: Democratic Peace
May 1: Concerts and Collective Security
May 3: Diplomacy

Final Exam: Thursday, May 10 10:30-12:30

Russia!

Russia threatening new cold war over missile defence

Mr Bean!

If you call me Mr. Bean, I swear I won't cry...maybe.

I'm sorry for selling my story, says Iran hostage Mr Bean

"Seaman Batchelor's claim that he cried himself to sleep after his Iranian captors likened him to the comedy character Mr Bean made him a laughing stock.
One serving soldier posted: "Batchelor didn't do the reputation of servicemen much good either! Being broken by being called Mr Bean FFS! - that must be on a par with Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition and the comfy cushions."

"Another angry contributor wrote: "They should be expelled from the Armed Forces. Maybe HMS Cornwall could make a series like The Loveboat or be used for Big Brother? The Royal Navy seems intent on becoming a complete laughing-stock."

Diplomat Event

Careers in International Affairs

Anthony Benesch

Diplomat in Residence

Come listen to the U.S. State Department’s Diplomat in Residence discuss career opportunities in government service. Internship programs and fellowship opportunities (language programs) will be also be discussed.

April 17^th

Noon, BSB 140

Presented by the UIC Political Science Department

Pizza will be served!

Next?

What goes up, must come down. But who will be the next world power. Cracked.com has a few ideas.

"Now, several other countries are poised to snag the title of “International Big Dog” from the reigning champ, so we've compiled an “it” list of the contenders. Only time—and World War III—will tell!"

War for Oil?

It is pretty hard to argue that the United States went to war in Iraq to grab oil if the United States fails to get any oil out of the deal. Also, don't forget the price of oil has jumped considerably because of the conflict in Iraq.

And Iraq's big oil contracts go to ...

"Despite claims by some critics that the Bush administration invaded Iraq to take control of its oil, the first contracts with major oil firms from Iraq's new government are likely to go not to U.S. companies, but rather to companies from China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia."

Why did Iran take the British hostage?

There is always a reason why things are done in the world of international politics. Apparently Iran was upset with American attempts to take a few Iranians hostage so they retaliated.

The botched US raid that led to the hostage crisis

"Better understanding of the seriousness of the US action in Arbil - and the angry Iranian response to it - should have led Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence to realise that Iran was likely to retaliate against American or British forces such as highly vulnerable Navy search parties in the Gulf. The two senior Iranian officers the US sought to capture were Mohammed Jafari, the powerful deputy head of the Iranian National Security Council, and General Minojahar Frouzanda, the chief of intelligence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, according to Kurdish officials."

South Park Rivalry

Last week South Park covered rivalry in that the British were behind the 'snuke' (suitcase nuke) that was, ummm, placed in Hilary. The point being that American's tend to forget their oldest enemy, British (which was an enduring rivalry.)

"An episode of South Park featuring the Queen committing suicide is provoking outrage. But if the show is famous for anything, it's for going too far."

Lecture on India-U.S.

I am delighted to invite you to an upcoming event that is part of our series, The Global Affairs Forum. Our guest speaker will be Indian Consul General, Arun Kumar. Consul General Kumar’s topic will be The Indo-US Relationship in the 21st Century. The event will consist of a presentation by Consul General Kumar, followed by a question and answer session with UIC students and faculty.

Consul General Kumar has served India as a career diplomat for more than 30 years. He has served in Italy, Tunisia, Ghana, Zaire, Dubai, and Yugoslavia. Mr. Kumar served as Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and has conducted international policy research in India and abroad. Consul General Kumar has always advocated building strong connections between the next generation of leaders in India and their counterparts in the United States.

This program will take place on Wednesday, April 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Fort Dearborn Room, on the 3rd floor of UIC’s Student Center East building at 750 S. Halsted Street. Light refreshments will be served.

Kindly confirm your attendance at The Global Affairs Forum by responding via e-mail by Wednesday, April 11th. Please address your e-mail to Katya Nekrasova at enekraso@uic.edu. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Borders and War

In addition to territory being a common cause of war, it might also be interesting to look at the proportion of border incidents that become international incidents.

A Deadly U.S.-Iran Firefight

"U.S. soldiers [and] Iraqi forces on a routine joint patrol along the border with Iran, when they spotted two Iranian soldiers retreating from Iraqi territory back into Iran. A moment later, U.S. and Iraqi forces came upon a third Iranian soldier on the Iraqi side of the border, who stood his ground. As U.S. and Iraqi soldiers approached the Iranian officer and began speaking with him, a platoon of Iranian soldiers appeared and moved to surround the coalition patrol, taking up positions on high ground. At that point, according to the Army's statement, the Iranian captain told the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers that if they tried to leave they would be fired on. Fearing abduction by the Iranians, U.S. troops moved to go anyway, and fighting broke out.

France Lecture

Friday, May 4, 2007 12:00 PM NEW!
France and the United States: Perspectives on the Past and Prospects for the Future
Jean-David Levitte, French Ambassador to the United States
The Chicago Club
81 East Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60605
Members: $35
Nonmembers: $45

Myspace Israel

Yup, diplomacy is dead. Israel is the hip-new cool place to be on Myspace. I only wish I had a page so I can make Israel, Mexico, and England my top three friends.

Israel goes on the virtual offensive
"We saw that we had a problem with the age group of 18 to 35, and the reason is that this group doesn't see Israel as relevant. So we have to talk to them in their language, in platforms that they are using, and the new media is one of the ways to do so." In addition to the MySpace page, the state of Israel also now has its own blog -- the first country-as-a-whole to have one, according to Saranga. The blog is called "isRealli" so as to incorporate the word "real." It also sports the slightly odd subtitle, "The New Blog of Israel."

Why Blog?

I keep getting this question, why blog when you are untenured? The reasons are simple:
I want to post news articles for my students to read.
I want to link to important and interesting research.
I want to highlight local talks and events that might be of interest to my students.
I like to be funny sometimes and AIM is boring now.
I won't quit because I never do that.

So its that simple. This whole blog thing does not take much time. Link an article, add a snarky comment, find a funny photo...done, 10 minutes tops.

Ninjas! Military!

I really got more excited about this article than I needed to be.
Angola sends 2500 'ninjas' to Zimbabwe

Speaking event

Speaking event for extra credit.

Solving the Darfur Equation

The past four years have seen hundreds of thousands of Darfuri civilians killed, and millions more subjected to displacement, starvation, and rape by the Janjaweed militia. The Sudanese government is accused of supporting this militia, so what are the real prospects for resolving the conflict in Darfur? Does the solution fall to outside forces? What are the consequences of the conflict spilling over Sudan’s borders?

Please join the GOAt audience in welcoming these experts to the Schubas’s stage to discuss this important issue…

Schubas

3159 North Southport
Chicago, IL 60657

6:30 p.m. – doors open
7:00 p.m. – talk/audience Q&A following discussion

$10 – members/nonmembers

Would the last NeoCon to leave Washington Please Turn Out the Lights

Moderation in foreign policy, what a shocking concept.

Sensing Shift in Bush Policy, Another Hawk Leaves

Robert Joseph is the latest to leave an administration that some conservatives say has lost its clarity of mission.

Facts on File

Here is the link to the Facts on File resource
*only for UIC students. Use this instead of Wikipedia or random newspapers of dubious quality.


And here is a pic of some dogs I have been wanting to put up just for the heck of it.

http://www.2facts.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/stories/digest-home-feature.asp

Our crazy North Korean Uncle

Lots of rivalry stuff in this article.

Cleaning Up the 20th Century

Asian history runs deep in the negotiations to disarm Kim Jong-il.
"History can be omnipresent or repressed in northeast Asia, but nearly everyone agrees it is festering and unresolved. Historic resentments and nationalist anger are volatile and easily inflamed, as evidenced by the outrage that followed recent comments by Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, about Korean “comfort women” in World War II. Yet, most often, that anger is compartmentalized to protect the hum of commerce. China and Japan conduct record bilateral trade even as public attitudes in both countries can range anywhere from mutual distrust to open loathing. North Korea is a bit like the crazy uncle whose refusal to stay locked and quiet in the region’s attic has forced everyone to the same table, with historic baggage and contemporary rivalries in tow."

French History of Warfare

France, not so good on the war thing. I have no idea if the following is a complete record of France's involvement in war. I could check but that is just putting way too much effort into this whole blog thing when I should be publishing.

France 4 - World 28
- American Revolution
- In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."

- French Revolution
- Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.

We Are Going to Hell

I knew I was going to hell for something, I didn't think it would be capitalism.

Chavez launches biting US attack
"Those who want to go directly to hell, they can follow capitalism," Mr Chavez said in the town of Trinidad in Bolivia. "And those of us who want to build heaven here on earth, we will follow socialism," he added"

PS: The Mayans are a little insulted that Bush came to town:
"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture,"

Diplomacy is not dead, it is just a little distracted

Morgenthau believed diplomacy was dead because we don't have good diplomats anymore. He may have been right.

Israel recalls 'naked ambassador'

"Israel has recalled its ambassador to El Salvador after he was found drunk and naked apart from bondage gear. Reports say he was able to identify himself to police only after a rubber ball had been removed from his mouth. "

China Speakers

All are extra credit options

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2007
Winter Quarter World Beyond the Headlines
The China Fantasy: How Our Leaders Explain Away Chinese Repression
James Mann, author
University of Chicago International House, Assembly Hall
1414 E. 59th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
Free Registration

Monday, April 9, 2007
ASIA IN CHICAGO
Beneath the Superpower Façade: China's Deepest Fears and the Avoidable Conflict with the United States
Susan L. Shirk, Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China
Hilton Chicago
720 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
Members: $20
Nonmembers: $30

300 the Politics

For as much as I talk about this movie, I should get free tickets.

That Film’s Real Message? It Could Be: ‘Buy a Ticket’

"Three weeks ago a handful of reporters at an international press junket here for the Warner Brothers movie “300,” about the battle of Thermopylae some 2,500 years ago, cornered the director Zack Snyder with an unanticipated question.
“Is George Bush Leonidas or Xerxes?” one of them asked."

"Some attendees walked out of a screening there, while others insisted on seeing its presentation of the Spartans’ defense of Western civilization in the face of a Persian horde as propaganda for America’s position vis-à-vis Iraq and Iran."

No Plan B

Were here one way not to fail, don't have any other options. This should go well...oh, and that dirty word containment is coming up again.

No U.S. Backup Strategy For Iraq

"Pace had a simple way of summarizing the administration's position, Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-Tenn.) recalled. "Plan B was to make Plan A work."
Most options involve partial or complete U.S. redeployment from Baghdad and other violent urban centers, followed by containment of the civil war within Iraq's borders -- keeping out meddlesome neighbors such as Iran and preventing a wider, regional conflict. Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, a former chief of Central Command, the U.S. military headquarters for the Middle East, said Congress is "drifting toward containment" and predicted that option will soon begin gaining popularity."

China's Military Buildup

Lots of China News lately. Just remember - they are not our enemy unless we make them our enemy.

Beijing Accelerates Its Military Spending

The increase prompted the U.S. to renew calls for more transparency about the intent of China’s arms buildup.


A review of recent news from Asia Times:
A Healthier - Better Armed - China
"In an apparent effort to placate the public and implement President Hu Jintao's plan to build a "harmonious society" and put "people first", Premier Wen Jiabao said he will sharply increase government spending on education and medical care to help the needy and to strengthen efforts to bring down housing prices. At the same time, the Chinese government also plans to increase its national-defense budget by 17.8% this year to step up the modernization of the country's military. "

But war could happen if Taiwan declares independence:

China Slams Taiwan's Independence Talk
"Seeking independence is not a dangerous step backward," he said. However, Chen has stopped short of formally declaring independence, a move that would cross the United States, which fears involvement in any potential cross-strait clash."
"Don't listen to local leaders," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told Taiwan reporters in Beijing, a reference to China's view that Taiwan is a mere province. "Whoever wants to split away will become a criminal in history."

Rivalry Class

Sorry I have been MIA with the blog lately, ISA ate up a lot of time.

For the rivalry class, we will be wrapping up last weeks notes on Rivalry Beginnings and finishing Rivalry Endings also. Remember we have a short answer test coming up soon and I have really been disappointed with the level of participation based on readings lately. If things do not change, the test will be made a lot harder than I anticipated (ie. random questions from the readings not referenced in class).

Venezuela vs. the United States

Developing rivalry, maybe...to be settled on the soccer field.

Arms Race 2007
Venezuela Spending on Arms Soars to World’s Top Ranks

"Venezuelan military and government officials here say the arms acquisitions, which include dozens of fighter jets and attack helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, are needed to circumvent a ban by the United States on sales of American weapons to the country. They also argue that Venezuela must strengthen its defenses to counter potential military aggression from the United States."

Complex Rivalry? US-Venezuela-Bolivia?
Venezuela Rivals U.S. in Aid to Bolivia

"Since Mr. Morales became president little more than a year ago, Venezuela has quickly come to rival the United States as Bolivia’s main patron. It has provided assistance for the army, cattle ranches, soybean cultivation, microfinance projects, urban sanitation companies and the oil industry."

It is a good thing there has been so much tension lately because the United States will be playing the Copa America this summer. Its going to be held in Venezuela so that should be fun for America's players, I hear a cell phone battery to the head doesn't hurt that much.

We are out of Iron

I have always liked the famous Bismarck quote about diplomacy and force - "The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and resolutions of majorities - that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood."

Which leads to the United State's current problem, we are running out of men and tanks to shuttle around the world to scare people. Shame, we might actually have to use diplomacy in the future.

More Sabers to Rattle, Perhaps Fewer to Thrust
"These moves seemed like perfectly logical geopolitical responses to heightened dangers. But they also helped mask another reality. Because the military today does not have enough available ground troops to use for intimidation, the moves were pretty much the only options rather than choices among several."

Iran and Pro-Israel Lobby

So the Pro-Israel Lobby seems to be pushing for confrontation against Iran.

Here is a recent AIPAC report on Iran and nuclear capabilities.
"A second resolution including an arms embargo, enforced travel bans, asset freezes and other economic sanctions could bring more pressure to bear on an Iranian government and further stimulate internal forces already pushing the regime to abandon its nuclear pursuit."

Which now lets me link to a set of papers by Mearsheimer and Walt about the Pro-Israel Lobby. I make no judgments regarding the substance of their arguments, that is for you to decide on. My main problem is the lack of systematic analysis. This is typical ransacking of history to get results you want to support an argument.

"The Israel Lobby," London Review of Books, Vol. 28, No. 6 (March 23, 2006)

Full paper, long
"The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy," Faculty Research Working Paper No. RWP06-011, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, March 13, 2006.

Realism in the Middle East

Might makes right...so this should work out well for everyone because everyone knows the best way to protect yourself and prevent violence, is to have weapons. Makes sense, sure.

Arab States, Wary of Iran, Add to Their Arsenals but Still Lean on the U.S.

"As tensions with Iran rise, many Persian Gulf countries have come to see themselves as the likely first targets of an Iranian attack."

“We believe there is a need for power to protect peace, and strong people with the capability to respond are the real protectors of peace,” said Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, at the exposition. “That is why we are keen to maintain the efficiency of ourarmed forces.”

Latinos and the Military

Apparently Ken Burn's new WWII documentary fails to mention the contributions of Latinos during World War II. I know my own grandfather was proud of his service and medals. Here is a paper on Latinos and the military, comments to follow.
The U.S. Military and Latino Populations: Accommodation and Resistance

Coalition of the Willing, No Longer Willing

Our allies are dropping like flies. Next thing you know, the important state of Togo will be gone.

First, Britain...gone

Then, Denmark

Its ok, Cheney is fine with it. He is going to go shot people over there himself if he has to. Soon its just going to be this bear fighting in Iraq.

"In fact, I talked to a friend just the other day who had driven to Baghdad down to Basra, seven hours, found the situation dramatically improved from a year or so ago, sort of validated the British view they had made progress in southern Iraq and that they can therefore reduce their force levels," Cheney said."

ISA 2007

So I mentioned that I will be at the International Studies Association Meeting in Chicago. All events are at the Hilton Hotel, 720 S. Michigan. You can use these events for extra credit. This is a registration event so someone might ask for a badge, but I doubt it. Here are my events, more details to come:

>>>>
Persistent Insecurity
WD18 Wednesday 3:45 - 5:30 PM
RM: Lake Ontario 8th FL

International Intervenors’ Theories of Change and the Implied Intermediary Stages of PeacebuildingThe Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Susanna P. Campbell

Regional Causes of Persistent Insecurity: State-centered International Interventions and the Challenge of RegionalThe Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Christof P. Kurz

The UN Security Council’s Response to the “Privatization” of Contemporary TerrorismConflict Systems
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Monika Heupel

Understanding the Role of Non-state Armed Actors in the "Limbo" of Post-Conflict State BuildingThe Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Dipali Mukhopadhyay

University of Illinois at Chicago
Brandon Valeriano
Discussant(s)

>>>>>
FA34 Friday 8:30 - 10:15 AM
International Rivalries
RM 4E 4th FL

Avalanches and Olive Branches: Natural Disasters and Peacemaking between Interstate RivalsUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Seden Akcinaroglu
Canisius College
Jonathan M. DiCicco
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Elizabeth Radziszewski

Dyadic Conflict and Rivalry CreationUniversity of Kentucky
Daniel S. Morey

Fatal Attraction: Rivalries and Third Party InterventionUniversity of Alabama-Birmingham
Renato Corbetta

Modeling Complex Interstate Rivalries
University of Illinois at Chicago
Brandon Valeriano

>>>>>>
SB14 Saturday 10:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Recent Theory and Research on Conflict Resolution
RM: Lake Ontario 8th FL

From Peacekeeping via Peacemaking to PeacebuildingUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Paul F. Diehl

Negotiation and Conflict ResolutionJohns Hopkins University
I. William Zartman

Territory as a Source of Conflict and a Road to Peace
University of Illinois at Chicago
Brandon Valeriano
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
John A. Vasquez

The Relevance of Mediation in the 21st Century
University of Canterbury
Jacob Bercovitch