Blogs Spring 2016

 

Blood Feud: The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
04/22/2016
By Justin Tomczyk

The surge in fighting betweenNagorno_Karabakh_Current_encame as a surprise to many. Tucked between Iran and Russia and flanked by the Caspian and Black Seas, the Caucasus is a region few associate with American foreign policy. To some, Nagorno-Karabakh is simply one of many frozen conflicts peppered throughout the former Soviet Union…Read More

 

Saving South Sudan Through Arms Reduction
04/18/2016
By Kyle Devry

Theret1larg.south.sudan.soldiers - Edited are growing concerns that the civil war in South Sudan will escalate to new levels of violence in the near future. Similar to previous civil wars in East Africa, such as Rwanda, the conflict has led to large numbers of South Sudanese to flee their homes. Over the past two years, there have been wide allegations of crimes against humanity between the two major warring parties…Read More

 

Regional Secession to Euro Breakup: How an Independence Movement Can Threaten European Union Integrity
04/14/2016
By Patrick Moses
euro-banner-300x148 - EditedRecent independence movements in Catalonia and other European regions have brought up concerns about European Union member states breaking apart[1]. One concern is the question about applicability of Euro convergence criteria to a newly independent region.  Another concern is the uncertainty about dividing up the sovereign debt of the parent and daughter countries…Read More

 

Government vs. Tech Companies: Over­ Encryption Crippling Safety
04/02/2016
By Chris Szul

On Decemencryptionber 2, 2015, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik killed 14 civilians at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Both of the perpetrators were killed in an ensuing shootout. Three hours later, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the house where the couple lived. During the search, they had discovered an iPhone 5C that belonged to Syed Farook….Read More

North Korea: Loyal Chinese Vassal State or Political Headache?
03/17/2016
By Gabe Wacks

On January 6th, 2016, North Korea condunkcted its fourth nuclear test, claiming to have detonated a thermonuclear weapon underground. In response, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have all pushed for an increase in sanctions on North Korea. However, for the first time in this nuclear conflict…Read More

 

An Apple a Day Keeps the FBI Away
03/01/2016
By Aline Sredni & Amy Radlinski

Followinapplefbig the San Bernardino shootings in December 2015, a court order required Apple to aid the FBI in unlocking the encrypted iPhone of shooter Syed Farook. While Apple released all data from the iCloud to the FBI, a court order to break the encryption was opposed by Apple. In response, Apple released a letter to the public stating that… Read More

 

The Trans-Pacific Partnership—Explained
01/27/2015
By Jonas Murphy

The Trans-Pacific Parttppnership (TPP) is the largest regional trade accord in history that sets out to deepen economic ties between the United States, Canada, and 11 other Pacific Rim nations, setting new terms for trade and business investment among signatories.  Some of the largest, most dynamic, and fastest growing economies in the world are included in the …. Read More

 

Through the Looking Glass: A Brief Note on the Evolution of Security
12/10/2015
By Leah Matchett

31278-Through-The-Looking-GlassSecurity studies is a field that has traditionally grown by punctuated equilibrium, in response to new developments in the international system. Before World War I, civilians were generally not encouraged to participate in military strategy or analysis of the use of military force….Read More