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News Archive 2015

Iran deal is a step toward reimagining the Middle East (written by Stephen Kinzer)

July 14, 2015 The Boston Globe

Stephen Kinzer, visiting fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, writes an op-ed about the implications of the recent deal struck with Iran announced by the United States and five other world powers. The agreement focused on Iran's nuclear program, but it's true meaning is that "It is a step toward reimagining the Middle East and America’s role there," Kinzer wrote.

Gorbea mulls moving up R.I. primary (comments by Wendy Schiller)

July 13, 2015 Providence Journal

Wendy Schiller comments on Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea's expressed concern over the short time between the primary and general elections. In a state dominated by Democrats, Republicans would want a later primary to give them more time to persuade independents, while Democrats wouldn’t need or want that time because it shortens the time to build their base before the primary, said Schiller.

Is your smartwatch watching you? (comments by Ravi Pendse)

July 13, 2015 The Wichita Eagle

Ravi Pendse comments on how smartwatches leave users vulnerable to hackers and offers examples of how those devices can be trained to derive personal information about users.

China leaders oppose 'universal values,' but it may not matter (comments by Edward Steinfeld)

July 7, 2015 CNBC

Ed Steinfeld, professor of political science and the dean's chair in China studies, comments on predictions of a "clash of civilizations" between China and the West. "Clearly, there is a strong voice in the Chinese state today that celebrates authoritarianism," said Steinfeld. But he said China's future including democracy and personal liberty is "quite open-ended."

ObamaCare and the Reid rule (written by Richard Arenberg)

July 6, 2015 The Hill

Richard Arenberg on the Hill: "The filibuster has played a critical role for more than 200 years. It has been used to protect the privileges of the minority, particularly the rights to debate and to offer amendments."

Athens on the Caribbean (by Andrew Schrank and Deepak Lamba-Nieves)

July 6, 2015 Foreign Affairs

Andrew Schrank and Deepak Lamba-Nieves in Foreign Affairs: "A new approach is long overdue and could best be developed in conjunction with the U.S. federal government. "

Follow the Money: Blyth on the Greek Debt Crisis

July 6, 2015

Eastman Professor of Political Economy Mark Blyth discusses the Greek debt crisis.

On Turkey’s border, chaos looms (written by Stephen Kinzer)

July 6, 2015 Boston Globe

Journalist in Residence Stephen Kinzer in the Boston Globe: "Americans sometimes forget how difficult it is to live in a turbulent region. Turks know. Their country is a relatively stable democracy and NATO member. Near the border with Syria, though, chaos is literally just down the road."

Too many questions remain on train's safety, viability: Front Burner (John Friedman study cited)

July 3, 2015 Orlando Sentinel

Furthermore, a recent independent economic analysis conducted by John Friedman concludes that even under all optimistic assumptions, AAF will generate annual losses of more than $100 million and will be unable to service its debt burden.

Six key issues the US-Brazil climate change announcement could have addressed, but didn’t (written by Timmons Roberts)

June 30, 2015 Brookings Blog

Timmons Roberts on Brookings Blog, "As with the U.S.-China announcement in November 2014, the announcement today again shows how climate targets can be “differentiated” between countries. Developed countries can have more absolute targets, whereas developing nations have put forward targets of other sorts."

Greek woes exacerbated by demands not connected to debt (comments by Mark Blyth)

June 30, 2015 Al Jazeera America

Mark Blyth, professor of international political economy, comments on the current economic crisis in Greece and cautions against austerity as a solution. “The definition of a dangerous idea is it’s a zombie,” he said. “It keeps coming back, and it’s immune to critical evidence."

The Great Divide (Vazira Zamindar study cited)

June 29, 2015 The New Yorker

In The New Yorker, "Vazira Zamindar’s excellent recent study, “The Long Partition and the Making of Modern South Asia,” opens with an account of Ghulam Ali, a Muslim from Lucknow, a city in central North India, who specialized in making artificial limbs."

An Iranian nuclear deal likely to delay shale recovery (comments by Jeff Colgan)

June 29, 2015 San Antonio Express News

Jeff Colgan, assistant professor of international studies and political science, comments on the future of oil prices, as the market prepares for the return of Iranian crude: “Some people think the Saudis might reduce their oil production to try to stabilize the price while Iran is increasing theirs. I tend to disagree with that,” Colgan said in part.

Botched Enlightenment: A Conversation

June 26, 2015 E-Flux Journal

Leela Gandhi and Bhrigupati Singh do a Q&A together on the Enlightenment.

Event heralds closer ties for Naval War College, Brown University

June 25, 2015 DVIDS

In DVIDS, "Members of NWC’s faculty and Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies, Providence, met for a faculty research colloquium with the theme 'Promoting International Peace and Security: Challenges for the Next Decade.'"

Taking stock of 2015 session (comments by Wendy Schiller)

June 25, 2015 Providence Journal

In a recap of the 2015 state legislative session, Wendy Schiller, associate professor of political science, comments on how well key people — Gov. Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed — seemed to be getting along. “It appears, from the outside, that the three most powerful people at the top knew how important it is to work together,” she said.

Nina Tannenwald: How to pay for new AAA stadium

June 25, 2015 Providence Journal

Nina Tannenwald in the Providence Journal, "But, say, why shouldn’t the PawSox owners fund their skyboxes the way my daughter’s teachers fund their teaching supplies? The PawSox owners could put in a request for $120 million, the amount they initially requested from the state, through a crowdsourcing website."

John Friedman takes part in event at the Brookings Institute

June 24, 2015

On June 23, The Hamilton Project at Brookings hosted a policy forum on promoting financial well-being in retirement. John Friedman discussed his new paper on reforms to the landscape of retirement savings accounts.

Chafee takes on Clinton machine: At just 1% in N.H. poll, ex-R.I. governor still says he knows what it takes (Wendy Schiller quoted)

June 23, 2015 Providence Journal

Wendy Schiller in the Providence Journal, "Chafee wants to reclaim his legitimacy as a public servant. And I think he deserves to do that because he has been an honest, sincere participant in the public arena."

The power of Pope Francis in facing climate change (written by Timmons Roberts)

June 21, 2015 Brookings Blog

Timmons Roberts on Brookings Blog: "The pope’s statement puts it very plainly to those leaders of nations who might be laggards: it’s time to face climate change very thoughtfully, justly, and aggressively."

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