Foreign Policy in Focus 04/19/2007 By Michael Shank and Khadija Ali Imagine a reconciliation process in Iraq that fails to include militias or Sunni and Shia hardliners? How about a reconciliation process in Afghanistan that sidelines violent Pashtos in the south? The chances of either process succeeding would be slim. […]
News Outlet
Turning a Blind Eye to Egypt Gives U.S. a Black Eye in the Region
The Baltimore Sun 04/12/2007 By Michael Shank and Sam Rizk Parents and teachers know that consistent enforcement is critical. A child or student does not thrive with mixed messages; the policies of the home or classroom must be reliable to ensure effective management. Yet in adult relationships – and in […]
Interview with the Speaker of the Somali Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan
International Herald Tribune/Daily Star Egypt 04/11/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan was elected in 2004 as Speaker of the Somali Parliament and was allegedly removed from his post as speaker in early 2007, due to a conflict between Sharif Hassan and Somalia’s President over whether or not […]
Rep. Gilchrest: Stop Climate Change Now: An Interview with Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD)
Foreign Policy in Focus 04/10/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Wayne Gilchrest is a Republican Congressman from Maryland. He chairs the House Climate Change Caucus and has co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship Act designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to 70% below 1990 levels. Because of his reluctance to deny […]
Afghanistan’s Reconciliation Process Knocked Off Track By Karzai’s Immunity Deal
Washington Examiner 04/03/2007 By Michael Shank and Shukria Dellawar President Hamid Karzai’s decision to provide immunity for all war crimes in the last 25 years now makes reconciliation utterly unviable. Backed by Afghanistan’s lower and upper houses with tacit United States support (fearful warlord ties could surface in court), the […]
Rep. DeFazio: Don’t Attack Iran: An Interview with Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
Foreign Policy in Focus 04/02/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) has been in Congress since 1986. In April 2006, he wrote a letter to President Bush to remind him that he must seek authorization from Congress before launching any preemptive attacks against Iran. He also introduced Resolution […]
Rep. Kucinich: Stop Funding the War: An Interview with Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Foreign Policy in Focus 03/29/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Dennis Kucinich is a Democratic congressman from Ohio. He was one of only 14 Democrats to oppose the current Iraq supplemental bill, which sets a deadline for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The bill, the Iraq Accountability Act, did […]
Rep. Ron Paul on War, Peace, and the News Media: An Interview with Congressman Paul (R-TX)
Foreign Policy in Focus 03/21/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Congressman Ron Paul is a Republican from Texas. An obstetrician by profession, Paul is noted for never voting for legislation unless it is authorized by the U.S. Constitution. He is an advocate of limited government. He has also opposed U.S. military […]
Improving US and Arab World Relations: An Interview with Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser
International Herald Tribune/Daily Star Egypt 03/15/2007 Conducted by Michael Shank Michael Kaiser is the President of the John F. Kennedy Center and is the organizer of the 2007 Arab Arts Symposium scheduled for Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, and the 2009 Arab Arts Festival scheduled for the Kennedy Center […]
Going Green
Foreign Policy in Focus 03/13/2007 By Michael Shank Elected officials far and near are doing it. The European Union is doing it. U.S. governors are doing it. Even U.S. mayors are doing it. France’s Jacques Chirac calls it “revolutionary,” and California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger says “the time to act is now.” […]