Charge It or Lose It: TSA Bans Uncharged Devices from Flights to the US
America / Europe / Foreign Policy / Gov. Officials / National Security / Technology

Charge It or Lose It: TSA Bans Uncharged Devices from Flights to the US

Travelers everywhere, we need to add yet another thing to our international travel checklist: charge your mobile devices. While likely already part of a flier’s to-do list, it is now far more imperative; earlier this month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the US Department of Homeland Security, announced that powerless devices will not … Continue reading

Why Is The EU Running Off With Our Chianti And Parmesan?
Culture / Economy / Europe / Foreign Policy / Regulation

Why Is The EU Running Off With Our Chianti And Parmesan?

Ladies and gentlemen, our champagne and charcuterie are in danger. Bubbling to the forefront of the upcoming round of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations is the controversial U.S. usage of regional European names for food and drinks manufactured by U.S. companies. Many EU members demand that U.S. wine, spirits and food companies … Continue reading

Obama’s Foreign Policy Ratings Dwindling
Foreign Policy / Gov. Officials / Middle East / National Security / Presidency

Obama’s Foreign Policy Ratings Dwindling

As of June 18th, President Obama’s foreign policy approval rating stands at a dismal 38%, a new low for the President. Shortly following the Bengdahl exchange, a measure that caused President Obama’s foreign policy approval ratings to fall to a staggering 41%, President Obama is faced with “renewed violence in Iraq.” Undoubtedly, the Bergdahl Exchange … Continue reading

An ‘Endgame’ to the Ongoing Afghanistan Conflict
Foreign Policy / Middle East / Politics

An ‘Endgame’ to the Ongoing Afghanistan Conflict

On May 27th, 2014, President Barack Obama announced a formal “endgame” to the thirteen-year war in Afghanistan.  He declared  there will be less than 10,000 troops by the end of 2014, and a near complete withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of Obama’s presidency in 2016. Shortly after the President’s announcement on Tuesday, Republican representatives … Continue reading

On Ukraine: US Strength is Putin’s Demise
Foreign Policy / National Security / Politics / Russia / Sanctions

On Ukraine: US Strength is Putin’s Demise

Since the collapse of the USSR, Russia has felt backed into a corner and neglected by the international community and, indeed, has been. First, there was the quick snatching-up of post USSR states into the EU with no chance of admission for Russia. Next, there was the absolute refusal of Russian integrity by NATO, and … Continue reading

Ukraine: The New Cold War Battleground
Dpt. of State / Europe / Events / Foreign Policy / National Security / Politics / Russia / Sanctions / UN

Ukraine: The New Cold War Battleground

Tensions in Ukraine have been running high since ousted president Viktor Yanukovych brokered an economic deal with Russia in November, spurring month-long protests that eventually led to the overthrow of the government. A new, pro-West Ukrainian government was installed last week, naming Oleksandr Turchinov as president and opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister until … Continue reading

Forever War: How Autonomous Technologies Challenge Morality and the Nature of War
Foreign Policy / National Security / Other / Politics / Technology

Forever War: How Autonomous Technologies Challenge Morality and the Nature of War

Major technological innovations in artificial intelligence are making worlds envisioned in sci-fi flicks like I, Robot a possibility. Humans and advanced, artificially intelligent technology are already working together to accomplish tasks, especially in the military sector. The U.S. is a leader of military artificial intelligence (AI). In 1953, the U.S. launched “computer-guided missiles,” the precursor to the Talos missile … Continue reading

Senate’s Iranian Sanctions are Self-Interested
Foreign Policy / Iran / National Security / Politics / Sanctions / U.S. Senate

Senate’s Iranian Sanctions are Self-Interested

Recently,  a new piece of legislation has hit the senate floor; one that entails expanding current sanctions on Iran as well as creating new sanctions for the purpose of impeding Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.  This bill comes at a time when talks and a Joint Plan of Action (JPA) have already been made in … Continue reading