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.