Chinese Soft Power 2.0: The Politics of Fashion
Chinese soft power must be understood in light of China’s domestic politics as much as its international standing. The case of Peng Liuyan – better known as China’s First Lady – shows that this remains as true as ever.
Opportunity and Peril in the North Korean Standoff
Most pundits have determined that Kim Jong Un has consolidated power and is now about to, irrationally, strike out against South Korea and her allies. But, what if this assumption is an error?
Setting the Scene for Crisis
This week marks the beginning of a three-class-long Crisis Simulation. Through these simulations, students can learn about the complexity of international security and the difficulty of managing crises.
Understanding US Foreign Policy: It’s All About the Pinto Beans!
Are USAID’s beans the culturally neutral beans of the world? Do they ‘do no harm’? Or, are they grown in excessive numbers by US farmers?
The Power Politics Game
Games allow professors to show students that knowledge does not only have to come from a lecturer, but can also be experienced. Through games, students appreciate the complexities of international politics.
Acquiring a Bomb Does Not an Aggressor Make
In yet another example of its limited abilities to impact international outcomes, the UNSC again this week agreed to sanction North Korea in an effort to deter threats of nuclear war.
Iraq: The Mistake Was Staying
With tens of thousands dead, it is easy to have regrets when reflecting back on the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The real policy mistake was staying there beyond the destruction of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
What Does the Zombie Apocalypse Reveal About Canada-US Relations?
Pat Martin’s jokes about emergency measures to combat a potential ‘zombie invasion’ are rich with subtext, challenging the conservative Americanisation of Canadian political culture.
What Would Happen If We Did Negotiate With Terrorists?
Designating and even vilifying actors with the label of ‘terrorist’ is a highly subjective matter. So how do we address the issue of negotiating with ‘terrorists’ without drowning in a quagmire of subjectivity?
Global Faculty, Not Yet Global Citizen
I might feel like a global citizen sometimes, but it takes only a few hours of flying to remember that the crest on the front of your passport can still make all the difference in the world.
