News
Should English Become the United States’ Official Language?
The question of whether or not English should become the official language of the United States has been debated by Congress for many years. While the debate dates back as far as the 1750s, members of Congress are still attempting to pass bills regarding this today. Unlike the majority of the countries in the world, as of now, the United States does not have an official language. There are several advantages and disadvantages of making English the official language of the US. On one hand, making English the official language could help to unite the American population. The law...
The Bumpy Road To Rio
In a few days, over half a million people will descend on Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. As the Summer Games get closer, however, there has been concern over a variety of issues that may stand in the way. Rio de Janeiro has experienced a number of setbacks that have caused many people to shift from asking the classic question of whether or not the athletes are ready for Rio, and now ask if Rio is ready for them. The main concerns surrounding Rio include security, Zika, and lack of money: Security: Every 4...
“Equal Play, Equal Pay”
In July 2015, the US Women’s Soccer Team made history when they defeated Japan and won a third World Cup title in front of 53,300 spectators in Vancouver, Canada. This game, which was seen on TV by more than 25 million viewers, became the most-watched soccer match in United States television history—men’s or women’s. Ever since their record-setting World Cup victory, the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) has been fighting for US Soccer to acquire the same playing conditions, travel arrangements, and financial compensation as the US Men’s National Team (USMNT). The effort stretches beyond just the field....
Why Lifting Vietnam’s Arms Embargo is a Smart Choice for the United States
On May 23 2016, President Barack Obama kicked off a weeklong visit to Asia by visiting Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. While there, he negotiated a commercial deal between Vietnam and aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Pratt & Whitney that is worth $16 billion. Obama also made the historic decision to lift a long-standing arms embargo on the country. Human rights groups argue that keeping Vietnam’s arms embargo allows the United States to send a message to the country about protecting civil liberties. The Communist Party of Vietnam maintains a political monopoly over the government and is known to restrict basic freedoms...
Should UN Peacekeepers be Able to Engage in Offensive Operations?
The practice of United Nations peacekeeping began in 1948 when the Security Council deployed observers to the Middle East to monitor the 1949 Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Since then, UN peacekeepers have been deployed in around 70 different operations. The peacekeeping practice has historically proven to be one of the UN’s most effective tools. The peacekeepers provide both security and political peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult transition from conflict to peace. The limitations of these peacekeepers’ power, however, have recently come into question. Specifically, should the United Nations give peacekeepers the power...
The Asian Glass Ceiling: America’s Diplomatic Dilemma
For the past decade, United States foreign policy has been characterized by its relationship with the Middle East. That relationship’s roots began in 1919, when Woodrow Wilson made the United States a key player by using his League of Nations to establish the now defunct Ottoman Empire’s colonial boundaries. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s hosting of Ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, on the USS Quincy in 1945 was another watershed moment. It forged an influential partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States, where the Saudis sold inexpensive oil worldwide in exchange for American protection. Middle Eastern oil still dominates US-Middle...
Role of Women in Japan
Japanese culture has historically emphasized gender roles. Expectations for men and women have traditionally aligned with societal obligations in the private and public sector. Women dominated the household but outside of the home, their families dictated their behavior. Although ancient philosophies like Confucianism and feudalism laid the foundations for the status of women, turning points like WWII allowed them to break through the glass ceiling and defy gender expectations. The evolution of Japanese society has caused women to acclimatize to new customs and responsibilities. Various waves of change introduced new philosophies that guided Japanese lifestyles. Women were instilled with values...
Brexit: The Pros and Cons
On June 24, 2016, the people of the United Kingdom made a decision that reshaped their country’s place in the world. In a stunning vote of 52 percent to 48 percent, they voted to leave the European Union. Around the globe, people reacted with shock as news of this historic decision, known as ‘Brexit’, filled newspapers, magazines, and television channels. But what does all this mean? What are the implications of Brexit? Those who support Brexit argue that there are numerous advantages to Britain’s exit from the European Union. The country’s departure from the EU will result in...