Volume II, Issue I

Islamic State Developments OverviewThe Iran Deal: What You

Need to Know

Educational Crisis in Chile

Guatemala: Running Headless

Latakia: Russia’s Syrian Wager

Thousands Protest Corruption in Moldova

toward the area near my apartment where many demonstrations, both for and against the government, take place. The black represents mourning, as protesters believe their country is suffering.

While there were tensions over Correa’s controversial actions before my arrival, the large anti-government protests began when two bills regard-ing the distribution of private money were proposed: the inheritance and capital gains tax. “El Impuesto a las Herencias” puts restrictions on large transfers of money to family mem-bers, which can include stocks of busi-nesses. For Ecuador, where businesses are 95% family-owned, economists

believe this tax will hurt the coun-try’s economy. For one student’s host family, in which three generations live together, the family’s home could be at stake as a result of this tax.

The tensions between government supporters and protesters increased even more at the arrival of Pope Francis on July 5. In Quito, one could see hundreds of banners featuring Pope Francis and a number of biblical quotes. Some believe that these quotes about social inequality were specifically chosen in order to prove the Pope’s backing of the government’s leftist policies.

In order to prevent ongoing ten-sions from exploding upon the Pope’s arrival, President Correa decided to temporarily postpone his major tax

VOLUME II | ISSUE I

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Ecuador: ¿Ama la Vida?“Fuera, Correa, fuera! Fuera, Cor-

rea, fuera!”It’s another June night in Qui-

to and from my host family’s sixth floor apartment, my abuela and I hear sounds of protest outside. An hour before, I sat in a café with my friends watching Jose Nebot, the mayor of Guayaquil (the largest city in Ecuador), rally an enormous crowd to “stand together for democracy” on television. After Mayor Nebot finished his speech, I looked out the window to see a myriad of people dressed in black (the color of the protest) walk

Christina Johnson, Travel Writer

This summer, The Caravel col-lected travel guides, photo essays and travel journals from Hoyas who traveled around the globe. This picture was published along with the article “Yunnan, Show Me Your People”, on our website.

Within this issue, we present our snapshot of the world.

105-year old woman in a mountain village in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Yunnan.

(Courtesy of Samuel Boyne)

WWW. GUCARAVEL.COM

YUNNAN, SHOW ME YOUR PEOPLE

E. EUROPE & C. ASIA

Protests under the Scortching Sun in Japan

A Summer of Asian Economic Integration

WESTERN EUROPECatalan Secession:

Now or NeverGreat Britain’s Energy Pivot: From Sun to Sea

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAObama’s Visit to

East AfricaAre African Economies

Ready for Dipping Commodity Prices?

Commentary on India’s “Revenge Rape Scandal”Indonesia – A Model for

Moderate Islam?

proposals in order to “give the public time to debate.” However, the protests still continued as a result of his unpopular actions. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the protesters react to the Pope’s arrival. However, my host mother told me the prepared slogan before I left – “El papa, si! Correa, no!” According to my fellow students who stayed longer, the crowds cheered as the Pope passed but immediately booed as Correa followed. Obviously, it does not appear that the Ecuador will be quieting down anytime soon, and I hope the internation-al community is prepared to hear the noise of this small, “quiet” Latin American country.

THE ANCHORRelearning Male

Friendships from IndiaMy Uneasy Moment with European Nationalism

2 | SEPT. 10, 2015

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“No to War Legislation!” “Protect the Children!” Students called for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation, while mothers wrapped their arms around children and held up anti-war placards in front of the Diet Building on August 30. They were protesting against the bills that would open the door for Japan to participate in collective self-defense with its allies, particularly the United States. If the legislation is passed, which seems very likely, it would significantly alter the current military framework and move Japan far away from Article 9 of its pacifist constitution.

The Abe administration claims the rethinking of the constitution, particularly Article 9 which bans the right of belligerency of the state, is necessary as countermeasures against more severe security issues, including a more assertive China and burgeoning terrorist threats. However, amendments to the 70-year old document require the agreement of two-thirds of both houses of the Diet. This requirement poses a challenge to the Japanese prime minister, who wishes to return Japan to a more “normal” footing after 70 years of imposed pacifism. Part of this

PROTESTS UNDER THE SCORCHING SUN IN JAPANTomoyuki Shikata, Editor

process of normalization is the reinterpretation which would end the prohibition on the deployment of Japan’s military abroad.

In Japan, where people generally do not express their political views in public, it is rare to see demonstrations that gather thousands of people. The upsurge of public interest in the topic is spurred not only by opposition to war but also by the sense of national pride among the Japanese. The unusual qualities of Article 9 are seen as something that sets Japan apart from other major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China that seem to regard military measures as an integral part of diplomatic relations.

Protesters are in full cry for

a different approach from the Japanese government. Although much of the protesters’ ire has been directed at the security bill, some of them are engaged in a more general objection against Abe’s lack of commitment to democracy. They are demanding that the Abe administration starts listening to the majority of Japanese who do not want reinterpretations of their deeply valued and peaceful constitution. The division within Japan will certainly remain even after the legislation would be enacted, and is likely to come back to torment the Japanese government when it finds itself in the position of having to implement the new laws.

THE COLLEGE BREAKDOWN

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EDITOR’S COLUMN:

Unification Minister met with their North Korean counterparts and brokered a deal to peacefully end the confrontations. After negotiating for an unprecedented 43 hours, the countries announced a bilateral agreement.

This summer, tensions between North and South Korea peaked after a landmine explosion in early August along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) gravely injured two patrolling South Korean soldiers and triggered a military standoff. When North Korea refused to accept responsibility for the provocation, South Korea began broadcasting propaganda messages through loudspeakers near the DMZ. In response, North Korea fired anti-aircraft guns at inhabited South Korean mountains and declared a “semi-war” state.

However, two days into the standoff, the North Korean government proposed high-level negotiations. South Korea’s National Security Advisor and

The provisions included a North Korean apology, the retreat of South Korean loudspeakers, an increase in people-to-people exchanges, and promises of further high-level talks in the future to continue the process of

between developed and emerging economies, both remain mired in controversy.

Member nations of the TPP came together in Hawaii to negotiate the remaining aspects of the agreement. China, however, is noticeably absent from the participant list. Moreover, although the TPP attempts to cover everything from the pharmaceutical and automobile industries to food and dairy products and intellectual property, negotiations stalled in late July over various disputes in each of these realms. New Zealand sought to protect its

This summer, two major endeavors toward economic integration within East Asia and Oceania made headlines: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a potential free-trade agreement that would include countries across the Pacific Rim in Asia and North and South America, as well as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), led by China and other founding members across Asia and Europe, both saw major developments. While the projects represent a step toward greater cooperation

A Summer of Asian Economic

Integration

The sunrise in parts of China can be as late as 10AM because the country joined its 5 time zones into a single one.

Many couples in East Asia celebrate Christmas like Valentine’s Day. Eating KFC as a Christmas meal is a widely practiced custom in Japan.

In South Korea, blood is a big deal. It doesn’t just deliver oxygen to your body—it determines your personality. People are automatically stereotyped thanks to their blood type.

Normally, trucks that play music are associated with ice creams and kids running behind them. In Taiwan, the garbage trucks play Beethoven’s Für Elise to prompt people to bring their garbage to the truck.

FACTS OF THE REGIONdairy industry, North America and Japan were concerned with the TPP’s potential impact on their automobile industries, and lobbyists worldwide fought for the inclusion of stricter provisions for environmental concerns and workers’ rights. In an era of unprecedented global integration, the TPP shows the limits of globalization, as national leaders continue to seek protection for their own workers and key industries and sign only those international agreements that their governments will ratify.

The AIIB, on the other hand, is a financial institution that aims to promote and fund infrastructure development across Asia. It has been in the works since 2013, and 57 prospective founding members participated in a ceremony in late June to sign the Articles of Agreement, formally establishing the Bank. The United States was not one of them. American media outlets often portray the AIIB as

ClubsAsian American Student Association (AASA)Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA)Truth and Human Rights in North Korea (THiNK)Chinese Students and Scholars AssociationKorean Student Association (KSA)Chinese Student Alliance (CSA)Japan Network (J-Net)GU Aikikai

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normalizing relations. While reaching a deal was

a victory for both sides and the wider region, it is too early to celebrate. Long-term peace will depend on the outcome of further high-level talks between the two countries. The question also remains as to whether North Korea will keep its promises in this latest agreement; some

South and North Korea Reach a Deal Amidst a Standoff suspect North Korean leader

Kim Jong-un’s government may test missiles again in October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of North Korea’s Communist Party. If the deal is broken, South Korea will also have to consider its own response.

The East Asia & Oceania section of the Caravel will continue to follow developments in the peninsula, so check back frequently in our print and online editions.

a Chinese project to rival other U.S.-led financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. Other critics worry about the Bank’s transparency, given the Chinese government’s lack thereof.

Ultimately, both projects have the potential to boost global trade and benefit emerging economies, if successful; however, participating nations will have to transcend domestic interests, deal with a new generation of lobbyists with contemporary concerns about labor rights and the environment, and make sure to incorporate these aspects in their negotiations.

Both agreements are still pending; keep up with East Asia and Oceania section of The Caravel for the latest updates on both.

After negotiating for an unprecedented

43 hours, the countries

announced a bilateral agreement

Andrea Moneton, Associate Editor

Lynn Lee, Writer

4 | SEPT. 10, 2015

Once part of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was home to nuclear testing sites and a sizeable arsenal of nuclear weapons, all of which it relinquished after the USSR fell in 1991. While the environmental impacts of mass nuclear testing are still felt, the government has since pursued a modern and sophisticated nuclear energy infrastructure. Since 2009, it has become the world’s leading exporter of uranium, and has seen an explosion in its mining industry. For Central Asia in particular, a region heavily dependent on oil exports, and the Russian economy, nuclear power is emerging as a viable energy and economic alternative.

However, in the eyes of many, even the peaceful pursuit of nuclear energy is cause for alarm. Nuclear reactors constructed in conflict zones and/or by countries without an adequate security infrastructure pose serious geopolitical, not to mention environmental, risks. Sites that are attacked, or poorly guarded can become sources for terrorists to acquire uranium for use in a nuclear weapon, or to sell to rogue governments. However,

NUCLEAR FUEL BANK OPENS IN OSKEMEN, KAZAKHSTANMorgan Forde, Editor

to categorically deny sovereign countries the right to pursue nuclear energy is politically untenable.

Over the summer, a solution was reached that may allow for the safe spread of nuclear energy, without the added risk of nuclear weapons proliferation. In August 2015, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), established a Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Fuel Bank in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. The bank is set up as a last resort for countries to receive LEU, the primary fuel for most nuclear reactor types, in the event of a supply chain disruption (due to conflict, a terrorist attack, etc.). This is important because many

developing nations pursuing nuclear power are developing domestic enrichment capabilities (a process that could lead to the development of weapons-grade material) as an insurance policy against these kinds of events. Having access to a secured and internationally monitored source of uranium could reduce or even eliminate the need to enrich domestically, and resolve a major proliferation risk at its source.

The opening of the bank in Kazakhstan is the culmination of careful diplomatic work and technical verification, and may go a long way towards improving the energy security and economy in the region.


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national account. Inexplicably, no one was held responsible despite the fact that the sum reduced the total national purchasing power by nearly one-fourth.

In addition, the protesters are calling for the president to be On September 6, nearly one

hundred thousand protesters assembled in Chisinau, Moldova, forming a tent city. Thier goal: to remain in front of the capitol building until their demands are met, namely the resignation of President Nicolae Timofti and many other high level officials within the government. The protests, the largest since those that brought down the Communist regime in 2006, have reached critical mass over charges of financial and political corruption, in addition to escalating tensions with Russia.

In 2014, the government privatized the Chisinau airport, and in the process, 1 billion dollars went missing from the

directly elected, a departure from the current system in which the president is elected by a two-thirds majority in parliament. Timofti has been in power since 2012 and rose to power on a platform of democracy and increased engagement with the European Union. However, accusations of corruption have plagued him since his election,

the last four years, Moscow has provided Assad with money, weapons, and diplomatic cover within the United Nations, and against American airstrikes to his regime. The breach between Moscow and the West over Syria

Four years on, and Moscow continues to back beleaguered Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his struggle to defeat a diverse insurgency against his rule. For

Latakia: Russia’s Syrian Wager

Russia has roughly the same surface area as Pluto. 17 million km2 vs. 16.6 million km2

Poland has been invaded and/or fought for its freedom 43 times between 1600 and 1945

The Uzbeks believe turning bread upside down will bring you bad luck

The deepest known cave in the world is Krubera cave in Georgia. It has only been explored as far as 2,197m

FACTS OF THE REGIONhas trampled any attempt to resolve the conflict through the United Nations.

Opposing sides have been betting for an ultimate military victory, but the outcome of the conflict remains cloudy, at times appearing as though Assad’s downfall was “imminent” or that his victory would come comfortably. Since the rise of the

Islamic State, however, Bashar al-Assad has suffered serious setbacks from both the Islamist-to-moderate opposition and ISIS in Syria. Given Assad’s precarious position, it appears that Moscow has finally decided to lend him a hand by mobilizing Russian jets in Syria.

Several news outlets have reported a serious Russian

ClubsTurkish Student AssociationEuropean Club

ProgramsInstitute of Turkish StudiesTachika: Insights on EurasiaDepartment of Slavic LanguagesMcGhee Center for Eastern Mediterranean StudiesCenter for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (CERES)

as his association with Moldova’s notoriously corrupt judicial system came to light.

Moldova’s recent election saw a narrow victory for pro-EU parties who went on to formalize an EU Association Agreement last year. However, the country is deeply divided as to its future political direction: The main opposition parties, the Socialist Party and

Thousands Protest Corruption in Moldova the newly founded “Patria” Party

favor closer ties with Moscow. The two parties have endorsed the protests, as have other civil society leaders. If the protests escalate, and the government topples, Moldova’s geopolitical future might be put up to the ballot yet again, though nobody is sure about which direction.

military escalation in Syria with the intention to bolster Assad, sparking worries in the United States. Syria’s port city of Tartus is home to Russia’s only military base outside the former Soviet Union. Moscow used this port to deliver a steady supply of weaponry for Assad’s forces throughout the conflict. However, the current activity is taking place in an airfield in Latakia, an Assad-stronghold. Reports infer that Russia sent manufactured housing units to potentially house 1,000 military advisers. This would indicate that Moscow is preparing to accelerate its arms deliveries to Assad’s forces and potentially take on a stronger role in Damascus’s war plans. While Moscow has repeatedly signaled its favor for a political power-sharing deal to unite the opposition and the regime against ISIS, these actions imply that Russia is not going to stand idly by its premier ally in the Middle East.

News outlets have reported a serious Russian military

escalation in Syria

Timofti has been in power since 2012 and rose to power on a platform of

democracy

Luis Joy, Associate Editor

Morgan Forde, Editor

6 | SEPT. 10, 2015


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In Venezuela, supermarket shelves are empty, hyperinflation runs rampant, and political prisoners sit behind bars, with no sign of President Nicolás Maduro’s government freeing them any time soon; yet, the Venezuelan opposition still holds an ounce of optimism for December 6. That day, parliamentary elections will be held with candidates that have been registered since the beginning of August.

According to major polls, the ruling coalition is losing ground due to the economic crisis that all Venezuelans are living, and the opposition’s chances for victory surpass those of the Socialist Party for the first time in 16 years. A majority in Congress could enable the opposition to pass a referendum to impeach Maduro and call for new presidential elections.

President Maduro and his ruling coalition are aware of the threat posed by an angry and revitalized opposition in the runup to the parliamentary elections. In response, the Socialist Party has enlisted its own candidates for all of the 167 seats in Congress, among which figures the First Lady of Venezuela, Cilia Flores. The Comptroller

BORDER CRISIS BETWEEN VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA: SIMPLY A DISTRACTION?Sylvia Cesar, Writer

General’s Office also did its part in early August by barring major opposition leaders from holding any public office for a set period of time, all of whom were therefore disqualified from presenting their candidacy in the parliamentary elections.

Much of the political pressure building up in Venezuela seems to have burst towards its neighbors. President Maduro has ordered a border shutdown with Colombia under the justification that he is preventing violence on the border by crime gangs, whom he claims also traffic Venezuelan subsidized goods to Colombia. He has also deported hundreds of Colombians without judicial hearing.

The border crisis with Colombia has led the opposition, notably ex-presidential candidate

Henrique Capriles, to state that President Maduro is staging a conflict with the bordering country to distract from the economic situation in Venezuela and to avoid the elections in December. President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia has demanded respect for the deported Colombians’ human rights, and for their ability to retrieve their belongings, many of which now lie under demolished houses throughout Venezuela.

Capriles warns President Santos not to fall for Maduro’s “provocations,” which could lead to armed conflict between the two countries, a scenario which the Venezuelan opposition hopes can be avoided in a potential meeting between the two presidents.

SEPT. 10, 2015 | 7

for free university education. Current president Michelle

Bachelet included education reform as part of her 2014 campaign platform, but her reforms are currently facing criticism. One large pillar of

Chile had an emotional winter in 2015 (summer in the United States). Not only did the nation host and win the Copa América soccer tournament, but it also underwent significant policy reform. Most notably, the recent educational reform stirred several student protests.

Chilean students and professors took to the streets this winter to demand education reform. A June to July strike by university professors that resulted in academic calendar delays coincided with several student marches held on June 10, June 17, and August 27 that reached as many as 200,000 participants. The Confederation of Chilean Students (Confech) led most of these marches, which mirrored similar movements in recent years, such as the 2011 marches

Bachelet’s education reform changed the teaching profession salary system by encouraging professors to be individually evaluated by performance and then receive a 28% pay raise. The local Professor’s Union was outraged and responded with a fifty-seven day strike. The second pillar was accessible education

in early June, revealing a stream of corruption scandals that shook the nation.

The former president has been accused of controlling a criminal group known as La Línea, which collected bribes from importers in exchange for safe, tax-free entrance to Guatemala. On September 3, Perez Molina resigned the presidency in response to pressure from outraged protestors and the U.N.-sponsored International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). Congress appointed a new Vice-President, Alejandro Maldonado, to serve as an interim leader during the ongoing elections.

The recent crisis has brought politics to the center stage

Guatemala has been running without its head of state for about a week. The former president, Otto Perez Molina, was forced to retire following a wave of resistance against his administration after the Guatemalan Supreme Court ordered investigations against him

Guatemala: Running Headless

More than 80% of Latin Americans live in cities, making their region the most urbanized in the world.

Colombia was the birthplace of world-renowned singer Shakira. Most of her hits are available in both English and Spanish.

Latin America’s largest trade partner is the United States, the second is Asia.

Although Spanish and Portuguese are predominant in the region, there are nine different official state languages in the region.

Venezuela is home to the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall: El Salto del Angel. The top of the waterfall bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Fredricksen’s destination in the Pixar movie Up.

FACTS OF THE REGIONof Guatemalan life. The first round of elections took place on September 7, only a few days after Perez Molina’s resignation. Voter turnout for this first round reached 70.4%--the highest in the nation’s history—proving that the outraged population is eager to participate in the democratic process to prevent a repetition of

the Perez Molina regime. Only two of the original 14

presidential candidates will move on to the definitive second round. Despite his poor performance in pre-election polls, Jimmy Morales, a former comedian and theologian, gained the greatest share of first round votes. His non-political background gave him a leg up with voters frustrated

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with reforms to payment systems of Chilean universities, and President Bachelet promised free university education by 2020. Recently her government announced that as of 2016, 60 percent of the poorest students would be able to attend university free of charge.

However, Chile’s education system faces a structural problem. Since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet saw the privatization of the university system in Chile, one recurring complaint is that universities in Chile operate primarily as businesses rather than institutions of higher education. In 2012, Chilean universities had an annual average enrollment fee of $3,045 (in 2015 dollars), but roughly 70% of Chilean workers earn $617 or less per month. Poorer students who might not be able to pay the full tuition costs are provided with

Educational Crisis in Chile

scholarships from the Chilean government in the form of credits, but these rarely cover full costs and are not widely available.

Despite the government’s attempts at reform, Chileans continue to protest for further changes. Nonetheless as Chileans head towards summer, it is unlikely that the issues of educational reform will resolve themselves before the end of the academic or calendar year.

with the traditional ruling class. Two candidates tied for second

place: Sandra Torres, a former first lady, and Manuel Baldizón, the pre-election favorite. Both candidates received about 19% of the votes, and will compete over the course of this week to reach the second round of elections.

Guatemala’s political crisis is one of several presidential corruption scandals that have emerged in Latin America over the course of this summer. In the north, Mexico’s Peña Nieto struggled to deny state involvement in El Chapo’s spectacular prison escape. In the south, Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff has lost much popularity due to her involvement in a corruption scandal in the state-owned oil giant Petrobras. While this rise in scandals highlights how corruption remains entrenched in the region, it may also constitute an opportunity for civil society to demand a cleaner rule from its leaders.

Only two of the original 14 presidential candidates will move

on to the definitive second round

One recurring complaint is that

universities in Chile operate primarily

as businesses

Daniel Sandoval, Editor

Madeline Sposato, Writer

8 | SEPT. 10, 2015


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ISIS Developments Overview: May-August 2015

The Iranian nuclear negotiations, which have officially ended after negotiators reached an agreement last July, has the potential to dramatically alter the state of affairs in the Middle East.

The talks between Iran and members of the P5+1 group, comprised of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, China, and the U.S. began in 2013 following secret meetings between Iranian and American officials.

Negotiations revolved around reducing the size of the Iranian nuclear program, a program that Iran has always maintained exists for civilian purposes whilst the discovery of secret enrichment facilities lead many, including the U.S. and Israel, to believe that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement, which was reached on July 14 of this year, relieves Iran of economic sanctions that were placed on its banks and principal commercial institutions in response to evidence of Iranian plans to produce a nuclear bomb. The lifting of sanctions will occur following Iranian compliance with the terms of the deal.

THE IRAN DEAL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWMatthieu de Gaudemar, Writer After five years of the deal’s

implementation, the U.N. arms embargo imposed on Iran will be lifted. After eight and a half years, Iran will be allowed to resume testing on 30 of its most advanced centrifuges. After 10 years, Iran will be allowed to enrich increasing amounts of uranium at or close to weapons-grade, and five years later, most of the restrictions on enrichment and production of nuclear materials will expire. Prior to year 15, Iran

will be required to reduce its uranium stockpile by 98% and limit its enrichment to 3.67%, concordant with civilian nuclear necessities. Certain measures relating to inspections and transparency will remain in place until 25 years after the beginning of the JCPOA.

Reactions to the deal have been divided, particularly in the U.S where many have criticized its effectiveness. Republicans in

Congress have said they would oppose the Iran deal in a vote set to take place in September. Certain Democrats have crossed partisan lines by saying they will also vote against the deal. However, opponents of the deal are not expected to have enough votes to overturn a veto of any legislation attempting to block its implementation.

A majority of the international community has come out in support of the deal, including many of the U.S.’s allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Israel is one major exception and Prime Minister Netanyahu quickly announced his opposition to the deal, describing the agreement as “a historic mistake.” Yet not everyone within Israel shares the same opinion; in fact several former key government figures have announced that the Iran deal could achieve positive results.

In the upcoming months, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will issue a pivotal report on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and if it is satisfactory, the deal will proceed.

Certain measures relating to

inspections and transparency will

remain in place for 25 years

SEPT. 10, 2015 | 9

saying that Iraq should concern itself with “what is going on in their own country.”

At the center of the controversy is the role of Iran in the conflict in Yemen, a role that is viewed differently by Iraq than by Saudi Arabia. The Saudis believe that

As sectarian violence rages in the Middle East, causing destruction and chaos, the Sunni-Shiite divide is widening in the region. The conflict is creating tension between the major powers involved in the area and among members of the U.S. led coalition against the Islamic State (IS).

In a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi criticized Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Yemen, specifically denouncing the airstrikes against the Shiite Houthi tribes who have overthrown the government and are attempting to take control of the country.

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, responded to Abadi’s criticism by

Iran is seeking to gain greater influence in the region by supporting the Houthi tribes. For its part, Iraq does not believe there are any connections between Iran and the Yemeni uprising.

Abadi’s visit was the first time he travelled to the U.S.

initial victory, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the creation of an Islamic caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria and declared himself its leader. Since then, more than 60 countries have joined an international coalition to fight IS. However, the Islamic State’s success this year in terms of expanding territory, carrying out attacks, and bolstering support through social media calls into question the effectiveness of the coalition’s campaign.

Early this summer, Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province, fell to the Islamic State as hundreds of police, soldiers, and tribal fighters fled the city. This scene, reminiscent of IS’s sweeping advances in Mosul and Tikrit last year, dealt a huge blow to Iraqi forces. However, their advance did not stop there. After

This June marked one year since the Islamic State (IS) leapt onto the international stage by seizing Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city. Just weeks after this

Islamic State Developments Overview: May-August 2015 MENA, or the Middle

East and North Africa, is made up of 18 countries and one territory. The Caravel subdivides MENA into four sub-regions: North Africa, the Levant, the Gulf, and Iran.

The region has a total population of 355 million people. About 28% of the total population is aged between 15 and 29.

Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the three most prominent religions in the region. In addition, there are a large variety of other religions being practiced on a smaller scale.

Economic wealth is centered upon petroleum and natural gas reserves. It holds 60% of the world’s oil reserves and 45% of its natural gas reserves.iregional powers.

FACTS OF THE REGIONseizing control of the historic Syrian city of Palmyra, IS militants destroyed two 2,000-year-old temples, demolished half a dozen ancient statues, executed 25 Syrian soldiers on an amphitheater stage, and publicly beheaded Khalid al-Assad, Palmyra’s retired chief of antiquities.

IS also boasted successes

outside of Iraq and Syria this summer, as it claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks on a Tunisian beach resort, a Shia mosque in Kuwait, and the Italian consulate in Cairo. A suicide bomber also carried out an attack in the Turkish city of Suruc, killing 34 people and prompting Turkey to take part in coalition airstrikes for the first time.

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in his role as Prime Minister of Iraq. He met with President Obama and with other members of the government, requesting additional funding and support in the fight against IS. After the meetings, both President Obama and National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey reaffirmed their support for Saudi Arabia, but Abadi harbored different opinions.

“The problem with Yemen is within Yemen,” the Iraqi prime minister said. “And here comes Saudi Arabia, intervening and bombing in Yemen and trying to destroy the capability of Yemen. We don’t know what the Saudis want to do after this. To build a region of power where they will intervene in any place they want? Is Iraq within their radar?”

Tensions Rise Among Key U.S. Allies in Fight Against IS

Saudi Ambassador Jubeir relayed the words of King Salman, who declared, “This operation will continue until the objective is achieved. There can be no half measures, and there will be no half measures.”

Divisions along sectarian lines are making it difficult for the Obama administration to fulfill its objective to defeat IS. The U.S. and some of its allies are worried that the Shiite militias backed by Iran in Iraq and Yemen may put the stability of the region at greater risk.

Since last year, the United States has been periodically stepping up its participation in the fight against IS. On May 16, in the first successful raid by American ground troops since the military campaign against IS began. American Special Operations forces entered eastern Syria and killed Abu Sayyaf, a mid-level leader in the organization. About a month later, on June 10, President Obama authorized the deployment of 450 additional military advisors to Iraq to help train Iraqi forces battling IS. For the first time, on August 12, the U.S. also began launching manned airstrikes against IS forces in Syria from a base in Turkey.

Despite an international effort to degrade and destroy the Islamic State, the organization appears perhaps even stronger than it was a year ago. If developments this summer are any indication, the military campaign against IS is only just beginning.

The Islamic State appears even

stronger than it was a year ago

At the center of the controversy is the role of Iran in the conflict in

Yemen

Kelli Foy, Writer

Matthieu de Gaudemar, Writer

10 | SEPT. 10, 2015


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Thein Sein of Myanmar signed a monogamy bill into law, criminalizing people “who have more than one spouse or live with an unmarried partner other than the spouse.” A week later, the president signed two additional laws, the Religious Conversion Bill and the Interfaith Marriage Law. Earlier in May, the Population Control Healthcare Bill was approved, requiring “women of certain regions” to have children no more than once every 36 months. Although target populations have not been clearly specified, religious and ethnic minorities are most likely to be impacted.

The Religious Conversion bill mandates the establishment of Religious Conversion Scrutinization and Registration Boards at the township level consisting of local officials and elders. Changing religions will require an application and the approval of the board, followed by an interview and a 90-day study period for the applicant to observe the “essence of the religion, marriage, divorce, and division of property practices.” Some expressed concerns that members of the local boards will be composed of predominantly

MYANMAR: ULTRA-NATIONALISM FUELS CONTROVERSIAL RACE AND RELIGION PROTECTION LAWSYuzana Khine Zaw, Writer

Buddhist officials with biases against conversion from Buddhism to other religions.

The monogamy bill applies to all citizens in Myanmar and abroad, as well as foreign nationals married to citizens of Myanmar. The Interfaith Law requires Buddhist women and men of other faiths to request for approval for their marriage from the local authorities. Objections can be raised against the marriage, and the government retains the ultimate power to halt the union.

The four bills are part of the “Race and Religion Protection Laws” introduced in November 2014 by the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha) led by nationalistic Buddhist monks. Opponents have accused controversial bills of “legalizing discrimination” and repressing ethnic minorities, specifically the Rohingya population. Human Rights

Watch condemned the laws as violating the right to privacy and freedom of thought, conscience, and religion as indicated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.4

However, supporters have argued that such laws serve to act as an immediate protective measure for women in Myanmar—a target population susceptible to forced religious conversions and marriages and unhealthy childbirth practices in a largely patriarchal and unstable society. Others have also interpreted the signing of the bills as a political strategy to distract the populace from the hallmark 2015 elections. The National League of Democracy led by Aung San Su Kyi will be running against the current Union Solidarity and Development Party in the country’s first general election since the introduction of a civilian government.

SEPT. 10, 2015 | 11

is “worse off than ever.” Amnesty International even received over 250,000 signatures defending the family and asking for justice on their behalf.

In the past few weeks, there has been an explosion of articles coming from India concerning the “revenge rape” of two young Indian girls. In the initial story, a young man living in rural India and a member of the “untouchable class” had eloped with a married woman from a higher caste. In response, the Khap Panchaya, the all-male council of the village, decreed that the man’s sisters, ages 15 and 23, should be raped to “avenge” the misconduct of their brother. Luckily, the family managed to escape from their village and contacted the media, leading to an outpouring of outrage at this perceived injustice. Western media sources reported that the situation of India’s girls

However, in recent days, new evidence has raised doubts about the allegations of “revenge rape.” The family’s lawyer admitted that he has not gone to the village nor spoken with any members of the council. In addition, the council has been confirmed to be 80% female and has denied that it made such an order. Bala Devi, the head of the council and

Widodo attended the openings of the Indonesia’s two largest Islamic organisations, Nadlatu Ulama and Muhammadiyah, respectively, calling on both to continue their brand of moderate Islam. Speaking at Muhammadiyah’s 47th Congress, whose theme was “Progressive Islam,” he described “Progressive Islam” as part of a “renewal process” in which one was to understand a religion which was rational, open, and civilized. His visits to the openings of both organisations follow an announcement by Mr. Widodo in June earlier this year that his administration would work more closely with moderate Muslim

With a population of more than 200 million Muslims, the world’s largest, and a track record of relatively moderate Islamic influence, Indonesia has often been scrutinized by pundits looking for a “model” for moderate Islam. While Indonesian President Joko Widodo appears to have demonstrated his commitment to more tolerant, inclusive, and even traditional form of Islam, Indonesian society and the state as a whole face considerable conservative pushback.

On August 1 and 3, President

Indonesia – A Model for

Moderate Islam?

MYANMAR: ULTRA-NATIONALISM FUELS CONTROVERSIAL RACE AND RELIGION PROTECTION LAWS

The demographic dividend is real! South and Southeast Asia constitute approximately one third of the world’s youth population with youth comprising 20% and 18% of the populations in South Asia and Southeast Asia respectively.

Holy Water redefined. Southeast Asia has the greatest concentration of water festivals where the dousing of others is welcome annually in Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

Capitalism never dies. 9 out of the 15 largest shopping malls in the world are found in South and Southeast Asia, 3 of which reside in the Philippines.

More than wool and tea. Nepal is the oldest and only country in South Asia which does not have an independence day because it was never colonised.

FACTS OF THE REGIONgroups to promote a moderate brand of Islam in order to combat radicalisation.

Conservative Influences

Despite Indonesia’s reputation as a champion of moderate Islam and Muslim opposition to Indonesia becoming an Islamic state, there remains significant pushback

against moving away from a more conservative interpretation of Islam. In February this year, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Indonesia’s top clerical body, held the sixth Congress of Indonesian Muslims. At the end of the session, the Congress announced seven recommendations, among which were calls for the development

ClubsVietnamese Student Association (GUVSA)Asian American Student Association (AASA)Georgetown Buddhist Meditation SanghaMuslim Students AssociationHindu Students AssociationSouth Asian SocietyGU India DialogueClub SingaporeClub FilipinoGU Jawani

ProgramsAsian Studies Program

a woman, said that “there was no meeting … we spend our time discussing mundane thing like fixing roads.” Even the family itself was unsure on the ruling and the girls’ father based their decision to leave on village gossip. In subsequent interviews, Reuters recorded conflicting reports of the situation and found no evidence that the “revenge rape” decision was ever handed down.

The significant factual inaccuracies in the story highlight the sensationalist attitude of Western media sources that ultimately hurt the advancement of women in India. The “revenge rape” scandal became so widespread not only because it was horrific, but also because it fit into the narrative of India’s poor treatment of women. And to be clear, India’s historical treatment of women has been horrendous, as documented by the New Delhi gang rape case in

Commentary on India’s “Revenge Rape Scandal” 2012, the frequent harassment of

women, and continued gender inequality. But having these cases, like the “revenge rape” scandal, become major news before the truth of their claims is verified does nothing for the women in India. In fact, having these cases with significant factual gaps will damage the progress made by women in India by casting doubt on any future allegations they may make.

of a Sharia-based economy and for government and society to be “on the alert and keep oneself away from cultures incompatible with Islamic sharia and the nation’s noble culture.” Amidst this expression of conservatism in Islam, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah managed to play only minor roles, demonstrating the dominance of conservative voices in the Congress.

In spite of Indonesia’s moderate tendencies, a 2012 cross-national study published by the Pew Research Center indicated that Indonesia was one of the world’s most religiously restrictive states. In 2013, the Sertara Institute recorded 220 cases of violence against religious minorities by Islamic militant groups. While it might be tempting to emulate Indonesia monolithically as a model of moderate Islam, underlying tensions between moderate and conservative elements within Islam remain unresolved.

Indonesia was one of the world’s most religiously restrictive states

It fits into the narrative of India’s poor treatment of

women

Yaonian Ho, Co-Editor

Kevin Chen, Co-editor

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Nigerian Elections: On March 28, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party in Nigeria defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in a pivotal election in the spectre of increasing terrorist activity from Boko Haram. This peaceful transition of power between not just presidents, but also opposing parties, in the presence of a brutally violent terror organization, marks one of the biggest steps the country has made toward democracy in recent years.

President Buhari, a former general, proposed an ambitious campaign agenda, including a promise to end corruption, defeat Boko Haram, and end Nigeria’s oil struggles. By the beginning of June, Buhari had still not chosen a single advisor or minister to tackle these huge promises. As of July, Buhari made the decision not to choose a cabinet until September; the time has come, and many are still unaware of who will be advising the president and running the country. Buhari says his reason for the delay is“to root out corruption” before deciding the people whom he could trust. As The Caravel went to print, Buhari still lacked a cabinet.

Cameroonian Security Threats:

UPDATES ON WEST AFRICA Airton Kamdem, Writer

Cameroonians continue to receive increasing threats of terrorist activity as millions of children are returning to school in September. During the 3 month break, many parents moved children, including Ahmidou Moussa, far from the conflict zones along Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria. But now that school is back in session in a country in which affordable quality education is rare, many children like Ahmidou are forced to return to their schools in towns like Mora, which borders Nigeria, in the crosshairs of the conflict between Boko Haram and the Cameroonian Military. Many teachers are refusing to return to their schools along Cameroon’s northern border because of increasing terrorist activity.

Justice for Chad: The 72-year-old former Chadian Dictator Hissène Habré was carried into

court by security officers this past Monday after his refusal to take part in a trial concerning his war crimes. During his 8-year presidency, Habre was responsible for the death of about 40,000 people until he was forced out of office by a coup in 1990.

Ebola in Sierra Leone: Ebola seems to be largely under control in West Africa. In Sierra Leone, after a summer of scrupulous medical and political calculations, the last Ebola patient was released from a hospital in Freetown last week. The country must have no new cases of the disease for the next 42 days to be considered officially free of Ebola. Controlling the disease marks a huge improvement in a country and a region where just a year ago, burial teams were struggling to keep up with an overwhelming death count.

SEPT. 10, 2015 | 13

world’s fastest growing economies. However, growth had largely been underpinned by rising commodity prices. This demand was primarily fueled by China’s economic engine.

The slowing of the Chinese economy and oversupply of producers have caused a widespread decline in commodity prices since the second half of last year. Iron ore, oil, and coal are now trading at less than half their 2011-value.The devaluation of the yuan in August and reports of slowing economic figures indicate that Chinese demand for commodities may only continue to decline in the coming months. As a result, African currencies have plummeted in value: the South African rand and Zambian kwacha have already hit all-time lows.

Financial markets this summer were tumultuous to say the least. African markets, which passed through the financial crisis relatively unscatheded, have now become a major area of concern. The collapse and ongoing slump of commodity prices has threatened to destabilize African currencies and government finances. With no end in sight to diminishing global commodity prices, many African policymakers must brace themselves for difficult times ahead and begin planning for serious economic reform.

For over a decade, Sub-Saharan Africa has been dubbed a development success story generating economic growth of nearly six percent from 2000-2010 and boasting many of the

It also illustrated U.S. efforts to counterbalance China’s strong ties with many African nations, although America appears to be late in the game.

Before this visit, Obama had only visited a handful of African states on two trips. One took him to Ghana in 2009, while the other one in 2013 included Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. Obama’s most recent voyage demonstrated U.S. interest in supporting East Africa, one of the most politically tumultuous regions on the continent.

The problems faced by Kenya and Ethiopia are illustrative of the security concerns common across East Africa. Kenya displays high levels of corruption. According

For the first time since becoming president, Barack Obama visited Kenya, the birthplace of the President’s father, and Ethiopia, the country with the second-largest population in Africa. The trip, which took place in late July, marked the latest of U.S. attempts to reinforce and promote security in East Africa.

Obama’s Visit to East Africa

The world’s second-largest continent in size and population

Home to 54 countries (or 57, depending on how you count)

SSA region boasted an average annual GDP growth rate of 4.8% from 2007-2012. The world average in the same time period was 2.9%. (Advanced economies 0.5%, Euro area -0.3%)

Home to at least 6 megacities: Accra, Johannesburg-Pretoria, Khartoum, Kinshasa-Brazzaville, Lagos, and Nairobi

34 cities in SSA are projected to grow at a rate of more than 3.82% between now and 2020

FACTS OF THE REGIONto a study carried out in 2010 by Transparency International, 45 percent of those interviewed reported paying bribes sometime that year. Likewise, in Ethiopia, political corruption represents the main issue: the recently elected president won over 99 percent of the votes in parliamentary elections; the opposition party did not receive a single seat.

Moreover, in both countries, the threat of Islamic terrorism, perpetrated by the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab, which controls large swaths neighboring Somalia, presents a constant threat.

In several speeches during the visit, Obama advocated for improvements in the level of

ClubsAfrican Society of Georgetown (ASG)The Africa Forum (MSFS)

ProgramsAfrican Studies Program (ASP)Alternative Spring Break: RwandaSummer in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

The commodity slump poses serious threats to the finances of many African governments. The allure of growth formerly compelled investors to buy large amounts of dollar-denominated African government bonds to support infrastructure projects. The fall in commodity prices has emptied state coffers due to collapsing commodity export earnings, lowering their ability to pay off debt; moreover, the depreciation of African currencies will make bonds even more expensive to repay. Bond yields have soared as a result, posing the risk of debt downgrades that can scare away investment.

African governments have largely failed to use the commodity boom to diversify their economies. Even though exports from Sub-Saharan Africa

Are African Economies Ready for Dipping Commodity Prices?

have quadrupled since 2011, manufacturing has only made up 13% of this growth, making the region particularly vulnerable to the recent slump.The coming months will be a reality check for many African leaders who have become complacent in assuming the commodity boom would last forever. They will have to make tough choices, but certain actions would be a step forward: un-pegging their currencies, restructuring their debt, and cutting excess spending are a start. Until drastic changes are made, volatility will continue to be an obstacle for growth.

democratic governance in both countries, lauding transparency as the only way to gain legitimacy, and reinforcing this support with strong commitments against terrorist efforts.

The topic on the minds of global commentators was the Obama administration’s underlying geopolitical strategy in counterbalancing Chinese influence in the region. In Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and home to the African Union’s headquarter, which was built by a Chinese company, Obama called for more commercial and economic partnerships between the African nations and the U.S.

Despite some domestic criticism toward Obama’s visit, the U.S. continues to forge closer ties with the continent. This visit marks a follow-up to the American efforts that began with the U.S.-Africa Summit in August 2014 when Obama hosted most African heads of state in Washington, D.C..

Before the visit, Obama had only

visited four African states on two trips

Nicolás Alonso, Writer

Anirudha Vaddadi, Writer

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For almost three months now, the small town of Ventimiglia on the Italian-French border has been at the epicenter of Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis. Upon arriving on the coasts of Italy, thousands of illegal immigrants have attempted to pass through Ventimiglia aboard trains directed toward Northern Europe. Wary of the growing influx of refugees, the French military has denied them entry into France. Since then, a humanitarian crisis has emerged as hundreds of refugees remain trapped in slum-like camps in Ventimiglia.

The Ventimiglia crisis exemplifies the legal ambiguities in the European Union’s immigration policy and Western Europe’s ongoing struggle to accommodate immigrants. Technically, agreements between France and Italy allow France to deny illegal immigrants entry into French territory.and deport them back to Italy but only in cases where there is concrete proof of Italy being the refugee’s place of origin. Italy’s failure to comply with its duty of properly registering immigrants upon arrival from North Africa means that hundreds remain trapped in limbo between the two countries:

LETTERS FROM EUROPE: THE VENTIMIGLIA CRISIS AND THE EUFrancesca Maviglia, Guest Writer

France will not allow refugees to enter French territory, but they cannot be legally sent back to Italy either.

Refugees remain in Ventimiglia for other reasons, most notably northern Europe’s refusal to accept them. A number of southern European countries have proposed a system of quotas that would more equitably distribute the growing refugee population among all European Union countries. Indeed, most asylum seekers aspire to reach Germany, the Netherlands, or other northern countries with traditionally higher standards of living. Despite the opportunity to accommodate hopeful refugees and alleviate the burden on southern European countries, northern European countries have

remained steadfast in their refusal of refugees.

Thus far, the crisis in Ventimiglia has revealed not only the self-contradictory, legally ambiguous treaties that regulate immigration policy in the EU but also the inability of leaders to generate viable answers to the problem. Meanwhile, migrants are still camping in Ventimiglia. After having escaped dictatorship-torn countries in Africa, crossed unbearable deserts filled with human traffickers, and reached Italian coasts in provisional, overcrowded boats, refugees continue to see their dreams of a better life shattered at the French border.

Note: This article is part of our Letters From Europe series, and has been shortened for print publication.

SEPT. 10, 2015 | 15

government in northeastern Spain, headed by Artur Mas, held a referendum asking the citizens of Catalonia a two part question: “Do you want Catalonia to become a State?” and “If yes, do you want that State to become independent?” Although the referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish judiciary, the Catalan government proceeded to hold it, with participation nearing 40% of Catalonia’s population. The final results showed that 44.3% favored independence while 55.7% wanted to remain in Spain. Notwithstanding the lack of legal mechanisms put in place to ensure impartiality, many both in and out of Catalonia praised the referendum as an act of civic protest against the uncompromising resolve of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s government.

With less than a month left until the Catalan parliamentary elections, every relevant party is

Secessionist movements within Europe have gained significant traction over the last few years as international media outlets and the Internet have magnified the voices of those seeking independence. The Catalan movement is a germane example, as the repercussions of an eventual “divorce” with Spain have been discussed by the New York Times, Le Monde, and Business Insider alike. This spike in media coverage will continue to grow as Spain dives fully into election season, with the Catalan parliamentary elections set to take place on September 27 and the national elections, tentatively, on December 20. The outcomes of these elections will undoubtedly shape the future of Catalonia, Spain, and Europe as a whole, for years to come.

In November 2014, the Catalan

minister determined that although Great Britain’s solar energy capacity was quickly becoming the most advanced of any country in Europe, the government subsidies that enabled the growth were too great of a tax burden on Great Britain’s residents. Rudd’s new plan, which proposes a 90% cut to the government subsidies, will control what many have described as erroneous spending by the Liberal Democrats and instead appropriate a portion of the money towards funding hydraulic fracturing and shale gas exploration off of the island’s coasts.

This decision has sharply divided members of Great Britain’s energy contingent. Proponents of the new plan cite significant economic advantages, stating that solar energy is one of the more

Great Britain will not be moving ahead with proposed expansions to its solar energy program, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd announced in mid-August. The country’s top energy

Great Britain’s Energy Pivot: From Sun to Sea The Greek debt crisis:

Greece accepted an 86 billion Euro bailout after intense negotiations with European financial leaders. PM Tsipras has since stepped down from office and called for new elections.

The Swiss Central Bank reported a first-half loss of 50 billion francs at the end of July: Value of the Swiss franc skyrocketed after ending its currency peg to the Euro in January, but Swiss exports suffered.

Iceland legalized blasphemy: Iceland passed legislation repealing the nation’s ban on blasphemy. One can now freely criticize the government and promote full accountability and transparency.

France’s top constitutional court upheld a new surveillance law: France’s intelligence services now have powers to spy domestically and abroad, sparking controversy.

FACTS OF THE REGIONexpensive options for generating electricity, particularly in contrast to fossil fuel and gas options. Rudd has noted specifically that British taxpayers incurred a £7 annual tax burden per household under the previous subsidies.

Many private businesses, however, have voiced opposition to Rudd’s changes. Daniel Roca,

the U.K. country manager for the solar division of Panasonic, a Japanese company and the leading supplier of solar panels in Great Britain, has urged the British government to strongly consider the “proposed cuts and the substantial damage they

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under the microscope. Just last week, police entered the offices of Mr. Mas’ party, Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC), under a judicial warrant claiming the CDC had received illegal commissions from a construction company. This scandal is likely to further maim the secessionist movement and undermine Mr. Mas’ argument that an

Catalan Secession: Now or Never

independent Catalonia would be less corrupt than a unified Spain.

In a few weeks, Catalans will cast their ballots and decide their future. If the CDC achieves a parliamentary majority, Mas has stated, Catalonia will secede from Spain within six months. For him, independence is now or never.

Note: This article was abridged for print publication.

will inevitably and irreversibly cause.” British Photovoltaic Association chair Reza Shaybani has criticized the new plan, saying that it contradicts Rudd’s earlier promises of a “solar revolution” and will cost 22,000 jobs. Many critics touting the absurdity of Rudd’s plan cite estimates, released by the Solar Trade Association in July 2015, which indicate that solar energy was providing a record 15% of the U.K.’s electricity under the subsidy program.

Great Britain’s energy pivot represents what many consider to be a startling departure from a remarkably successful program. In an age where many nations are promoting policies that provide financial incentives for private citizens to invest in solar energy, Rudd’s decision to take an alternate approach will certainly have significant implications--whether positive or negative--for the future of Great Britain’s energy market.

British taxpayers incurred a £7

annual tax burden per household

under the previous subsidies

Brandon Greenblatt, Editor

Tomas Alvarez Belon, Associate Editor

16 | SEPT. 10, 2015

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RFrom an early age, I’ve always had

more girls as friends than guys,an in-evitable outcome from being awful at sports and joining a children’s theater group. My friendships with other guys have always existed, yet have paled in comparison to the friendships I’ve had with girls.

In India, almost all my friends were guys.

I was puzzled when I first saw guys walking down the street holding hands, as friends. Sitting next to each other at a restaurant, one guy rested his arm on the back of the other’s chair as they chatted. Working with some students in a local NGO, I’ve seen thirteen-year-old boys sleeping on the bus while embracing each oth-er. Male friendships in India allowed a much more intimate physical and emotional connection than those in the West.

Initially, I hypothesized that a gen-eral failure to acknowledge homosex-uality meant that Indian men weren’t

Undoing Preconceptions: Male Friendships in India

Patrick Drown, Guest Writer insecure about being called “gay,” allowing them to openly showing affection. In the United States, men often feel uncomfortable expressing their affection for other men because of restrictive social norms. Exposed to ideals of hypermasculinity while also dreading being labeled “gay,” American men feel the pressure to show a stoic façade.

As the millennial generation continues to dominate acceptance of same-sex marriage in the U.S., I’ve noticed straight men showing affec-tion for each other in unprecedented ways. Two guys sleeping in the same bed or one guy walking with his arm around another isn’t weird anymore. For most, one man saying something sentimental to another man no longer warrants the words “No homo.”

Contrary to my preconceptions, the closeness of male friendships in India has little to do with a nar-row-minded view of sexual orien-tation. While many men might be able to stay out later at night, many women feel pressured to socialize

exclusively with other women and adhere to a stricter curfew. A woman is more likely asked uncomfortable questions if friends or family see her hanging out with the opposite sex.

The friendships that I have with the opposite sex in the U.S. were much harder to nurture in India. The sometimes flirtatious but always more emotional conversations I was accus-tomed to with female friends in the U.S. happened only with other men. Since sharing physical affection is less frequent with Indian women, men have turned to other men for this role, resulting in a culture filled with male friendships that feel more complete.

I believe that the nature of oppo-site-sex friendships are fascinating. I look forward to catching up with the female friends I’ve been lucky to have. I’m equally excited to catch up with my male friends. India has taught me that friendships with men and women can be different; still, I shouldn’t expect anything less from friendships with men as compared to those with women.

ClubsMinority Association of Pre-

Health StudentsGeorgetown Journal of

International AffairsStudents Stopping the Trafficking

of PeopleInternational Students Association

World Percussion EnsembleGU Global Medical BrigadesInternational Relations Club

GlobeMed at GeorgetownGU Roosevelt InstituteAmnesty InternationalUNICEF-GeorgetownMulticultural Council

UNA-GeorgetownThe Caravel

ProgramsBerkeley Center for Religion,

Peace, and World AffairsMortara Center for International

StudiesInstitute for the Study of

DiplomacyOffice of Global Services

Linguistics Department

74% of the world’s arms are from just 6 countries: China, France, Germany,

Russia, the United Kingdom and the US.

The global illicit drug trade was valued at approximately 322

billion USD in 2007.

If all of the world’s ice cap melt, Haiti, Zimbabwe and the Philippines are all countries deemed most likely to be submerged.

Belarus, Mongolia, Sri

Lanka and Brazil all have their own space

agencies.

In 2013, 96% of the world’s population

had mobile cellular prescriptions, 77%

of which came from developing countries.

FACTS OF THE WORLD

Working an internship in Germa-ny at Putzmeister Concrete Pumps this past summer, I noticed how a duality of European integration and European nationalism dominated the day -to- day work in every depart-ment of the company. Working with the purchasing department, I ended up calling around forty different companies, and noticed certain trends emerge as a result of the faceless communication. Before I even began, I was told not to bother with Turkish companies: Unless you speak Turkish, your German area code will leave you with an exercise in customer service futility. The French do not know Ger-man and refuse to conduct business in English, while the English force my German colleagues to describe their orders in labored English. However, my colleagues cannot always play the victim card. They have no patience for the Spanish and Italian companies that allegedly struggle to put forth

My Uneasy Moment with European Nationalism

Max Fiege, Associate Editorconsistent effort in producing and shipping their parts. Unsurprisingly, contact between Germans usually proceeds without a hitch. The vacuum of information created by a phone call with a stranger, in conjunction with the stress involved with corporate work, opens the door for prejudice to settle.

My experience with the assembly line could not have given me a more different impression. Over the course of a week, I forged a strong friendship with three middle-aged men who spoke vernacular German (Swabian dialect). I was surprised to learn that only one of them was German: one was Kosovan, and the other Croa-tian. As I grew more comfortable and started going on breaks with them, I found ourselves joined by Russians, Italians, Spaniards, French, Greeks, Austrians, Turks--and some Germans, of course. They all proudly identified as these various nation-alities, but a true aura of national-ist tension was absent from their

interactions both with me and with each other. These conversations often strayed far from political correctness, but they demonstrated just how weak our prejudices are in the face of genu-ine human interaction.

Whereas structural discrimination has left minorities in the United States to fend as second- class citizens, it has resulted in the creation of second- class states in the EU. Poorer countries govern at the mercy of their richer neighbors, while their citizens pay the price of simply living in the wrong state, a reality made inescapable by the permanence of their passport. When they try to pursue better living and working conditions, these “citizens of the EU” find that they are viewed as foreigners regardless, leaving them feeling marginalized and disempowered. Much like in the Unit-ed States, the discrimination lingers as a subtle vestige of bygone times, one that remains engrained into culture and simply gets accepted as the status quo.

Documents

Volume II, Issue I