U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 7

August 17, 2013

1. "Out of precaution, Marines on ready to go to Egypt to protect U.S. Embassy, citizens"

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/28/out-of-precaution-marines-on-ready-to-go-to-egypt-to-protect-u-s-embassy-citizens/?iref=allsearch

          With the large demonstrations and unrest in Egypt, marines were ordered to protect the U.S embassies. The U.S expects Egyptian officials to be able to hold back and protect the embassies, but the U.S will go in precaution. Among this, it shows how the  U.S and Egypt are able to hold their position and ally themselves together in times of crisis.

          The U.S took precaution for their embassies, sending marines to protect them, even though Egyptian officials were able to do so. The U.S and Egypt will have to work together to control the crowds in Egypt. It shows the relationship of two countries to serve the country’s own interest.

2. "All nations collect intelligence, Obama says"

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/01/world/europe/eu-nsa/index.html?iref=allsearch

         Amidst the Snowden scandal, Obama responded to outraged European leaders over allegations of the U.S. spying on them. Obama defended the U.S saying that all nations collect some sort of knowledge from other countries. Through this, Obama aims to calm down tensions started from misunderstandings.

          Countries want anonymity with themselves, as well as with their people from other countries. European officials were primarily outraged from this violation. Obama is hoping to piece things together and not to spread the fire any more through meetings and speeches. 

U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 6

August 10, 2013

1. "China's forced labor camps: One woman's fight for justice"

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/world/asia/china-labor-camps/index.html?iref=allsearch

          Liu was a woman in China who had a property dispute with her neighbor, and with much argument, the neighbor, on multiple occasions, sent people to vandalize her property and beat her up. She had enough and brought to up to the local police, but they ignored her pleas for help because the neighbors of hers were wealthy. She started to display signs with slogans like "power and money rules in China" and "in China there is no justice and no equality" in public, but it landed her into trouble in one of China’s labor camp; and now, she is hoping to spread the word of injustice to people around the world and hopes someone could help her in her fight.

          It is quite unfortunate that Liu had to go through so much but received so little assistance just because of money and power. China’s actions caught many peoples attentions and sparked outrage with the unjust treatment. The U.S hopes to spread the ideology of a more humane treatment of all people, whether in domestically or in working labor camps.

2. "Obama's goal in Africa: Counter China"

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/26/opinion-obamas-goal-in-africa-counter-china/?iref=allsearch

          Some of the U.S’s major trade partners are in China, Latin America, and Africa, but China is also spreading their influences to other countries. Africa is a destination for many products and materials that served the U.S well, but China is stepping up their game to take a great majority of it. Obama still supports the free trade but wants to gain more trading control of Africa.

          Trading could from partnerships among countries, but it can also be very competitive. China is spreading their trade to more countries as the U.S has, but the U.S wants to gain more trading control with Africa, since the connection over there is more advantageous to China. Obama now want to trade with Africa more and gain more sustainable relationships.

U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 5

August 3, 2013

1. "The danger of talking with the Taliban"

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/28/the-danger-of-talking-with-the-taliban/?iref=allsearch

          In making talks with the Taliban, there is increased danger in what may transpire when we are on their grounds. With an abundant amount of bombs and guns, it makes soldiers more wary and more alert in incoming events. Through everything, U.S has tried to make truce with the Middle East, especially the Taliban, hoping to promote peace.

          Stepping on the ground of the Taliban U.S soldiers exposed to much danger, especially when the Taliban decides to attack. In making peace with the Middle East, the U.S hopes to get through the Taliban in hoping to make peace with the people. These peaceful talks and actions are toward to nonviolence and to not to recruit more Taliban members.

2. "Why Taliban would talk as U.S. withdrawal looms"

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/18/world/asia/taliban-talks-qa/index.html?iref=allsearch

          As U.S soldiers slowly withdraw from the Middle East, the Middle East hope to gain influence through the region. The Taliban has promoted violence throughout the region, and it was up to the U.S soldiers to take action. The U.S and many countries throughout the Middle East have had talks to promote peace between the two countries, yet the Taliban stands between them.

          In talks with the Middle East, the U.S questions the Middle East leaders in their actions when the Taliban does violence. The Taliban with the U.S soldiers withdrawing, have gained more influence, recruiting more and more members to promote violence, especially jihad. These influences are dangerous, especially to the future peace between the U.S and the Middle East countries.

U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 4

July 27, 2013

1. U.S. troops in Africa focus on humanitarian missions

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/06/10/us.africa.mission/index.html?iref=allsearch

          U.S troops continue to send aid to continents overseas, such as Africa who are in need of help. These acts are to further the relationships with other countries and draw ties with them. Places like Africa are in much need, especially since they are places with high poverty, mortality, and crime rates.

          America’s assistance of other nations are very commendable, and they strength ties with them; however, with assistance, there is a cost factor to consider, such as from vaccines, food, and transportation. At the end, money continues to preserve peace.

2. Obama meets with Mandela's family in South Africa

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/29/world/africa/south-africa-obama-visit/index.html?iref=allsearch

          As a dying leader in South Africa, Mandela has been commended by many with even Obama visiting. With his presence, mystery looms on what it means for the future of South Africa and America’s relationship with them. As of right now, people can just wish Mandela his best through his last peaceful days as the leader of South Africa.

          With Mandela missing out of the picture, will South Africa be able to preserve the same relationship with America when Mandela was the leader. Obama has given Mandela his blessings, as with many people around the world from Mandela’s bravery in freeing his country. South Africa, hopefully would have leaders who follow Mandela’s way of peace and are able to stitch friendships with other countries.

U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 3

July 20, 2013

1. "Marine reservist kidnapped in Mexico, FBI seeks public's help"

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/03/marine-reservist-kidnapped-in-mexico-fbi-seeks-publics-help/?iref=allsearch

          A marine reservist Armando Torres was kidnapped by armed men in Mexico while on his mission. The FBI now seeks the public’s help in finding more information about the incident. This puts in more emphasis in the international disputes between the US and Mexico.

          Along with the FBI’s endeavor in seeking for assistance for more information, disputes arose in what Mexico can do to help. A marine from the US has just been kidnapped, and the US wants international leaders to help in resolving the issue. These type of incidents, most of the time, depend on the cooperation with international leaders.

2. "4 plead guilty in murder of U.S. immigration agent"

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/us/mexico-slain-us-agent/index.html?iref=allsearch

          With a US immigration agent dead, the ringleader Julian Zapata Espinoza with 3 of his men avoided the death penalty with an agreement made. He is part of the Los Zetas Cartel where murders aren’t uncommon. The US still wants to know what Mexico can do to prevent future incidents.

          This case brings up international disputes between the US and Mexico in what the other country could do to bring justice on violent criminals. To avoid future incidents, the US pushed for further change in the justice system when it comes to overseas incidents. The US made a smart move in thinking about long term solutions with US-Mexican issues, such as this. 

U.S Foreign Policy Pt. 2

July 13, 2013

3. "Kerry: US, China and others 'absolutely united' in calls for North Korea's nuclear disarmament"

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Kerry+China+others+absolutely+united+calls+North+Koreas/8601447/story.html

          Many countries along with the U.S have grown very aware of North Korea’s nuclear program. In the sense of impending crisis, many countries have gathered to talk, as well as deal with North Korea’s situation. A disarmament has been called with hopes that North Korea would comply.

          Throughout North Korea’s nuclear situation, it has been very bewildering with what North Korea’s intentions are. Whether it is to test something or to make a threat, such actions would not be tolerated. Many countries are aware and have gathered to stop further actions.

4. Why is North Korea cooling it?

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/30/why-is-north-korea-cooling-it/?iref=allsearch

                              

          North Korea’s hostile situation dealing with nuclear power have been simmering down. In calls from many countries to disarm themselves, North Korea have followed but have not fully complied. North Korea have slowed down their nuclear testing from the uproars from other countries.

          It is good for North Korea to stop their nuclear testing any further. Other countries could have taken actions themselves if North Korea would have took it more further. Though they haven’t fully stopped their program and still possibly testing, they have cooled it significantly.

U.S. Foreign Policy

July 6, 2013

1. "The 'Edward Snowden Aviation Club' and other ways to beat US persecution"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/01/edward-snowden-aviation-club-nsa-whistleblower

          After Snowden leaked strictly confidential US information to the general public, he fled to seek asylum. A lot of people support his endeavors to do so and even some countries are open for Snowden’s safe arrival. If Snowden is caught by the U.S., he faces charges of espionage.

          This case is quite bewildering in the sense that we have to go against the first amendment in thinking how limited information can be when it comes to government. Usually, other countries are the ones that hunt certain people down and prosecute them, but now it is the America’s who is personally hunting down an American for leaking information. Although so many people and countries (more than 1.5 million people) support Snowden’s actions, America is still on the hunt

2. "Barack Obama seeks to limit EU fallout over US spying claims"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/01/barack-obama-eu-fallout-us-spying-claims

          Through Snowden’s leaked information, there were claims that the US was spying on the EU. Barack Obama tried to abate the allegation and tried to set in harmony. The EU members are furious and are surprised to see how much information was leaked.

          In this story, the US seems to be patching up the damage from the information leaked by Snowden. Through the release of information, there seems to be a loss of trust between the US and other countries. America is still looking for Snowden to prevent him from releasing any more damaging information.