The Rule of Law

1.    AMERICAN VICEROY: ZALMAY KHALILZAD'S MISSION

       Anderson, Jon Lee

       New Yorker, December 19, 2005

The author describes U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, as "the ideal envoy for Iraq," noting that although "Khalilzad is accredited to the new Iraqi government, but with the backing of a hundred and sixty thousand U.S. troops, he seems to be the one holding the government together. His position is more like that of a viceroy ... than that of a traditional diplomat." Khalilzad, born in Afghanistan, is a moderate Muslim with long experience in American foreign policy circles, and a former student of military strategy expert Albert Wohlstetter. Khalilzad has been at the center of the Bush administration's war on terror since September 11, with a reputation as a pragmatic and insightful strategic thinker; he sees himself as a "kind of diplomatic soldier." Anderson notes that Khalilzad "has a unique advantage in a part of the world in which the U.S. has become massively engaged and does not have many people at the top equipped to deal with it."

2.    DEVOUT DEMOCRACIES

       Gerecht, Reuel Marc

       Weekly Standard, vol. 11, no. 16, January 2-9, 2006, pp. 29-32

The author, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, writes that Afghanistan and Iraq are the Muslim world's most important democratic laboratories, and will have a great deal of impact on the Middle East as they wrestle with difficult questions of religion and governance. Americans can take pride in what the U.S. has done to improve life in Afghanistan, says Gerecht; although the country is poor, the economy is reviving, and an aesthetic sense is reappearing in architecture and public surroundings. In the Afghan parliament, representatives of different ethnic groups are conducting public affairs without violence, a major achievement. As in Afghanistan, we should not expect an Iraqi political system to be secular, Gerecht writes; the U.S. erred in supporting Muslim progressives and secular liberals in Iraq, all of whom fared poorly in the recent elections. What is important to recognize, notes Gerecht, is that political changes are now being made by the electorates of both countries. However, he fears that the recent increase in suicide bombings in Afghanistan threatens to distance Western forces and aid workers, who are indispensable to civil order and governance, from the local population.

3.    THE INFLUENCE IMPLOSION

       Cochran, John

       CQ Weekly, vol. 64, no. 3, January 16, 2006, pp. 174-179

The author, writing in the aftermath of the Abramoff lobbying scandal, says lawmakers on Capitol Hill will continue to value and listen to lobbyists who provide reliable, honest information. There are more than 27,000 registered lobbyists in Washington, and lawmakers and congressional staff members say the vast majority are ethical, and spend their days immersed in the serious details of policy for their clients, not high-flying socializing and deal-making. The most important lesson from the Abramoff scandal is that members of Congress should not allow lobbyists to involve them in deals that have no connection to their home districts, or to draw them into issues in which they have no longstanding interest or expertise. Cochran also adds that lawmakers and lobbyists agree that, in the wake of the Abramoff scandal, lobbying practices based largely on relationships with specific members of Congress will wane; legislators and other clients will look for lobbyists who can offer substantive knowledge rather than access or connections.

4.    NEW FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS

       Gibeaut, John

       ABA Journal, Vol. 92, January 2006, pp. 42-48

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is up for renewal and is expected to receive bipartisan support in Congress. However, it is the U.S. Supreme Court which will ultimately decide the future of the act, which appears less than certain, Gibeaut notes, as some states want to do away with the act's strict mandates. Under the Voting Rights Act, minority participation has increased but, although there is now little overt racism, civil rights leaders say that discrimination remains pervasive. In the article, Gibeaut chronicles the events that led up to the creation of the Voting Rights Act. Gibeaut notes that the Census Bureau predicts that the percentage of whites will drop to 50 percent of the nation's population by 2050, making the U.S. a truly multiracial society. As the Act's critics become more vocal, its supporters are grappling with whether it is still needed. Gibeaut writes that "the hope is that this act is going to be so successful that it no longer will be needed."

5.    TAKING CONTROL

       Gibeaut, John

       ABA Journal, Vol. 91, No. 12, December 2005, pp. 44-50

In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that private economic development satisfies the "public use" requirement of the Fifth Amendment's takings clause, Gibeaut discusses the controversy in Norwood, Ohio, where city officials are claiming it is legal to take property from citizens as long as the area in question is in danger of becoming a "blighted area." The city has "used the weapon of eminent domain in its attempt to reinvent itself" after several automobile plant closings, according to the author. Affected homeowners oppose the takings, arguing that the actions by the city are illegal because the area is not in disrepair, a condition for a legal taking. "Norwood's prayer for financial salvation doesn't provide much solace" for some homeowners, Gibeaut writes. The author interviewed several homeowners and city officials, highlighting contrasting interests, while also providing legal analysis of the case.

6.    TRIBAL RELATIONS: HOW AMERICANS REALLY SORT OUT ON CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ISSUES--AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR POLITICS

        Waldman, Steven; Green, John C.

        Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 297, No. 1, January/February 2006, pp. 136-142

In analyzing the impact of religion and values on American politics, the authors move away from the simplistic "right versus left" stereotype, and categorize the U.S. public into what they call "the twelve tribes". On the Republican side are the Religious right (12.6 percent of the electorate), Heartland culture warriors (11.4 percent), and Moderate evangelicals (10.8); on the Democratic side are the Religious left (12.6), Spiritual but not religious (5.3), Black Protestants (9.6), Jews and Muslims and Others (1.9 and 2.7 respectively), and non-religious or Seculars (10.7); and the "Swing Tribes" are White-bread Protestants (8.1), Convertible Catholics (7), and Latino Christians. As the names suggest, the beliefs and attitudes of the "twelve tribes" are diverse and complex, especially in the "moral middle," which is comprised of the "swing tribes" and a few of the tribes within each party's base." The authors note that the size of the "moral middle" limits how much public policy can change after an election, but that cultural conflict will be a continual part of American politics for the foreseeable future.

7.    WHY THE CULTURE WAR IS THE WRONG WAR

       Dionne, Jr., E. J.

       Atlantic Monthly, vol. 297, no. 1, January/February 2006, pp. 130-135

Syndicated columnist E. J. Dionne suggests positively that debates surrounding culture wars can be used to present ideal visions or fierce criticisms of the United States. Dionne, citing election exit polls, claims the country is not as polarized on important issues as journalists and political activists might contend. The real division in the nation, Dionne writes, is between those who want to have a culture war and those who don't. At election time, for example, politicians are either rallying the base or appealing to the center, preempting any real discussion of what "ails" American culture and society. Dionne says that Americans would be better off trying to find common ground by challenging the culture-war metaphor and, in the process, deflating the partisan posturing of liberals and conservatives.

Economics and Trade

8.      AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN DEVELOPING    
         COUNTRIES

         Qaim, Matin

         American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 87, No. 5, December 2005, pp. 1317- 
         1324

Qaim, an agricultural economist, says there are three main differences between agricultural biotechnology and previous crop technologies that influence availability and access to farmers. First, genetically modified (GM) crop developments are driven by the private sector, and therefore involve intellectual property rights (IPR). Second, GM crops are associated with new environmental and health risks that entail new and often cumbersome regulatory procedures at the national and international level. Third, GM traits can be incorporated into different varieties and adjusted to local conditions. The private sector's leading role means IPR and technical use restrictions impact GM seed prices, explains Qaim, but farmers retain the option to use conventional seed, so GM seed demand is price-responsive, which limits the companies' monopoly power. Additionally, he notes, since the private sector focuses on large and lucrative markets, poorer countries do not have the same opportunities to adopt GM crops as the more advanced developing countries. Biotechnology holds great potential for developing countries, he writes, but realizing the benefits on a larger scale requires complementary public endeavors to ensure wider dissemination.

9.    INTERNATIONAL PATENTS AND INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION

       Sharer, Paul; Simpkins, Martina

       Biopharm International, vol. 18, no. 9, September 2005, pp. 58-63

The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) plays a key role in bilateral trade negotiations among international partners, according to the authors, both lawyers with the Washington, DC law firm of Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw. Strong U.S. patent laws have long fueled innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, they note, and the U.S. government has consistently used bilateral and regional negotiations to improve IPR standards worldwide. These have helped establish U.S. biopharmaceutical companies as leaders in the world but these same companies still face the counterfeiting of patented products. In today's increasingly global markets, they say, new innovations and the development of the new, cutting-edge medicines depend on a better harmonization of patent laws and stronger protection for biopharmaceutical products. Markets such as China and India are important to the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, so many U.S. companies will try to enter these challenging markets and IPR will be important to bringing new and better medicines to patients. Much progress has been made through implementation of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and other patent standards, they say, but strong patent protections on par with those in the United States will require more effort by both the U.S. government and the industry.

10.    IT'S THE ILLICIT ECONOMY, STUPID

         Naim, Moises

         Foreign Policy, Vol. 84, No. 6, November/December 2005, pp. 95, 96

The anti-money-laundering laws that many countries enacted after September 11, 2001, have done little to stem the global flow of illicit funds, says Naim. In fact, he points out, money launderers face only a 5 percent chance of being convicted; governments have failed to stop a wide range of illegal commerce, which today is valued at $400 to $600 billion a year. Three of the most profitable of these enterprises are the illegal arms trade ($10 billion), international human trafficking ($10 billion) and stolen art ($3 billion). In the last decade, Naim reports, all of these illegal international trades have grown in size and scope. Since 1990, money laundering has grown at least twofold, reaching $1 to $1.5 trillion today as the criminals become more sophisticated. As illicit industries become big business, the criminals adopt the strategic thinking of big businesses: diversify, politicize, legitimize. Also like big businesses, he writes, they invest in lobbying, government relations and philanthropy. The difference is that now they are able to do it on a scale and with consequences that are without precedent.

11.    THE NEXT GREAT PYRAMID GAME

         Whalen, Christopher

         International Economy, Vol. 19, No. 4, Fall 2005, pp. 22-25, 56

Whalen says the financial bubble in Chinese stocks is the next great paper pyramid waiting to fall. The China Construction Bank has gained support from the New York banking community, he notes, despite misgivings from the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. But Chinese banks are little more than a facade, he explains, and these "banks" only lend money to Communist-controlled state-run enterprises, where lending to private enterprises at inflated interest rates is actually controlled. More importantly, Chinese banks don't even know how to lend or price risk; implementation of international accords will do nothing to strengthen the weak links in the Chinese financial system, he writes. Until the Communist Party actually allows truly independent private economic activity -- clearly a contradiction in terms -- reforms are meaningless and corruption remains the status quo, warns Whalen.

12.    OIL FOR WHAT? ILLICIT IRAQI OIL CONTRACTS AND THE U.N. SECURITY              
          COUNCIL

          Heaton, Paul

          Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 19, No. 4, Fall 2005, pp. 193-206

Heaton analyzes the Oil-for-Food program, which generated USD 64 billion in revenue over its lifetime, for correlation between illicit contracts for underpriced oil and pro-Hussein votes on the Security Council, as well as other support. He says his findings demonstrate a positive association between contracts and pro-Hussein votes, and Russia, France, Turkey, Italy and China received the highest value in total contracts. Further, he states, the timing of contracts given to a number of nations strongly suggests a connection between contract receipt and Security Council membership. Individuals also received contracts which appear to be tied to support, notes Heaton. For example, a U.S. businessman who financed Scott Ritter's anti-sanctions documentary received contracts for 7 million barrels. Despite these unfortunate abuses, he writes, a significant proportion of the Oil-for-Food program revenues generated humanitarian benefits. He says future economic sanctions need to be designed to ensure similar abuses cannot occur.

13.    PAYING FOR TERROR

         Kaplan, David; Fang, Bay; Sangwan, Soni

         U.S. News & World Report, Vol. 139, No. 21, December 5, 2005, pp. 40-54

Although the motives of terrorists and crime syndicates differ, write the authors, both groups now thrive in the same subterranean world of black markets, drug trafficking and laundered money. Counterterrorism efforts, which suffer from the same kind of bureaucratic turf battles and cultural barriers that still plague intelligence agencies, must grapple with this nexus between organized crime and terrorism. Terror attacks and support operations are being funded by increasingly sophisticated criminal activities, the authors note. This global shadow economy of dirty money, crime and black markets in which terrorism is operating has annual revenues of over $2 trillion, according to United Nations estimates. The article says that taking on this worldwide plague of crime and corruption may be more than the public bargained for. Ultimately, successful crackdown on these underground activities means imposing order where there is instability, good governance where there is corruption and crime, and economic growth where there is poverty.

14.    POVERTY AND GLOBALIZATION

         Singham, Shanker; Hrinak, Donna

         National Interest, No. 82, Winter 2005/06, pp. 117-122

Poverty, often cast as the fault of multinational corporations or "imperialist" governments, is the most virulent killer on the planet, say the authors. Trade "liberalization" has not lived up to its promise to relieve poverty, primarily because the liberalization reforms have not been accompanied by the domestic economic reforms required to create a true competitive market, they explain. Additionally, trade negotiations are conducted with a strong bias toward producers rather than consumers. As long as producers' interests continue to trump those of consumers and elites protect their own interests, say the authors, true competition cannot take place and poverty will continue to lead its victims toward the false promises of radical leaders. They propose that trade negotiators should adopt a stronger stance in favor of consumer welfare by finding ways to link the level of competition in markets to the liberalization processes. For example, they note, trade agreements that reward internal reforms which support competitive markets will lead to the economic growth that alleviates poverty and desperation.

15.    REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

         Ghemawat, Pankaj

         Harvard Business Review, vol. 83, no. 12, December 2005, pp. 98-108

Ghemawat, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, says the most successful global companies tailor their strategies for diffeent regions of the world. He notes that leaders of global powerhouses such as GE, Wal-Mart and Toyota have already recognized that globalization is highlighting regional distinctions rather than erasing them. Trade, foreign direct investment, and sales are examples of data that are showing clear regional patterns that the astute companies need to recognize in their strategic planning, writes Ghemawat. In a world that is neither truly local nor truly global, companies need to assess both their regional and global strategies in order to maintain their competitive edge.

16.    SUNRISE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY?

          --

         Economist, Vol. 377, No. 8456, December 10, 2005, pp. 18-20

Environmental concerns, higher energy prices, a desire for greater energy security and improved technologies are converging to create the best investing environment ever for renewable power, as renewables become more cost-competitive with conventional energy sources. Regulatory incentives such as taxes on carbon emissions or tax credits for renewables are impacting cost of use. Improved technologies such as larger wind turbines, simplified solar panel installation, "smart" meters that make it possible for power companies to charge more during peak hours, and new materials are providing new energy options that make renewables more competitive. Additionally, the price fluctuations in oil make the comparatively stable prices for renewable energy look very attractive. Although there are still nay-sayers, this article notes that the investment levels indicate strong confidence in the future of renewable energy.

Global Issues

17.    50 BEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL JOURNALISTS

         Graff, Garrett

         Washingtonian, December 2005, pp. 50-58

In a year in which journalists have taken as many hits as plugs, the author notes, the journalism field in Washington is as cutthroat as ever. An increase in the number of news outlets means an increase in journalists, and quantity does not necessarily translate into quality. This article outlines, in the opinion of journalists, who the fifty best and most influential reporters and writers are; the author notes that journalists who may be popular are not necessarily the most influential in Washington. Some names have been on the list since 1973, including Robert Novak (Chicago-Sun Times) and Bob Woodward (Washington Post). Many are newcomers, including Steve Coll (New Yorker), who recently won the Pulitzer for his book on terrorism, and Judy Miller (New York Times), for her commitment to ethical reporting and influence on the media. A companion section looks at the "up-and-comers", who are reporting through the Internet, blogs, and other non-traditional media, and ruffling lots of government feathers in the process.

18.    ADDING A PRICE TAG

         Robertson, Lori

         American Journalism Review, Vol. 27, No. 6, December 2005/January 2006, pp. 52-57

The New York Times last year created a controversy when it began charging a fee for readers' online access to some of its top opinion columnists as well as to the Times' article archives. The paper was bucking the widespread presumption that web information should be free. At the same time, a number of big media companies are busily acquiring popular Internet sites, some of which the companies offer at no cost. Driving the fee controversy is a not-so-simple question: can newspaper stay in business if they give their work away? In this article, media publishers, marketing managers, and advertisers weigh in on the pros and cons of fee-based content and where it's headed. Although policies on paid content are in flux, the question inevitably will assume growing importance to media owners and readers in the future.

19.    THE FLU HUNTER

         Rosenwald, Michael

         Smithsonian, vol. 36, no. 10, January 2006, pp. 36-46

Robert Webster of Memphis, Tennessee is not your typical microbiologist -- he is a prominent American scientist who has been researching the deadly avian flu string H5N1 since its human form was discovered in Hong Kong, 1997. Webster believes that this virus is "The One", capable of starting a pandemic that could kill millions worldwide. The question remaining is not how but when the virus will mutate so that it is easily spread from human to human. Webster and his team are on the forefront of developing a vaccine, researching every human outbreak of the disease, and tracking migration of infected birds. He believes that the virus will become deadly when it swaps genetic material with the human form of the flu virus in a host animal, such as a pig. Webster's work can only help the US government's dedication to stopping the virus in this country before it starts.

20.    GREEN DAWN: IN CHINA, SUSTAINABLE CITIES RISE BY FIAT

         Hvistendahl, Mara

         Harper's Magazine, vol. 312, no. 1869, February 2006, pp. 52-53

In the next few years China will build Tangye New Town, a seven-square mile "eco-effective" environmental urban design city that will house 180,000 people and support a million more. China has granted Western architects opportunity to bring their most avant-garde visions for a sustainable future. The five- and seven-story apartments will house villagers who were relocated during the demolition process as well as new residents. Tangye New Town will draw energy from the sun, turn waste into fuel and return its water to the ground through natural drainage and irrigation. Bike paths will promote emissions-free transportation and rooftop gardens will insulate buildings and produce oxygen. Even the lower-income areas will be a short walk away from public fields. Although other eco-developments around the world have had trouble attracting residents, the Chinese government will use its imposing will to ensure that its eco-cities are filled. Final approval on Tangye has not been granted yet, however, the central road has been paved and reports state that a first phase of construction will be completed by July.

21.    THE INTERNET IS BROKEN

         Talbot, David

         Technology Review, vol. 108, no. 11, December 2005/January 2006, pg. 62-69

The Internet's fundamental flaws -- its lack of security, decreased ability to accommodate new technologies, and that it is hard to manage -- cost companies billions, impede innovation, and threaten national security. It's time for a clean-slate approach, says MIT's David Clark. Nearly 1 billion people use the Internet and critical industries like banking increasingly rely on it. But the originally simple communications technology has become a complex patchwork of plugs and workarounds; it's difficult to manage and increasingly fragile. Clark says it's time to rethink the Internet's basic architecture -- to potentially start over with a new design that involves putting existing pieces together in a different way. The article describes Clark's specific recommendations for a future design.

22.    THE NEW WORLD OF GLOBAL HEALTH

         Cohen, Jon

         Science, vol. 311, no. 5758, January 13, 2006, pp. 162-167

Support and funding for improving public health in developing countries has increased sharply in recent years with the realization that improved health of a population can be a key factor in speeding development and sustainability of a nation as a whole. As increasing sums are being earmarked for public health campaigns and more governments and organizations are taking part, questions arise about the effectiveness and methods of the efforts. "There's no architecture of global health," said one expert quoted in the article. Cohen examines the arguments surrounding the proper means for delivering aid to the developing world and the debate over how to spend assistance to achieve the greatest gains in overall health.

23.    POWERING THE FUTURE

         Parfit, Michael

         National Geographic, vol. 208, no. 2, August 2005, pp. 2-31

The author notes in this cover story that, as global demand for energy keeps increasing and a plateau in global oil production is expected to occur in the years to come, there will be no "silver bullet" that will solve humanity's growing energy needs. Some experts believe that "this pursuit is even more important than the war on terrorism." Parfit describes various programs to develop renewable technologies such as biomass, wind and solar, as well as conservation efforts and conventional technologies such as nuclear power and coal, as a bridge to a new "energy future" as supplies of oil begin to wane later in this century.

Regional Security

24.    DAVID'S FRIEND GOLIATH

         Mandelbaum, Michael

         Foreign Policy, No. 152, January/February 2006

The author, professor of American foreign policy at The Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, notes that "the rest of the world complains that American hegemony is reckless, arrogant and insensitive ... [but] the world's guilty secret is that it enjoys the security and stability the U.S. provides." Mandelbaum notes that, historically, other nations have banded together to provide a check on world powers, yet no such anti-American alignment is taking place. Unlike past empires, U.S. overseas interventions have been few in number, and generally have not been with idea of complete control. Because of America's open political system, any country is able to gain access to Congressional committees with oversight over international relations and foreign policy. In that sense, the U.S. government has become a world government, and has in effect become a mediator over regional conflicts. He also notes that the U.S. taxpaying public is bearing the expense of maintaining a military that ensures the free flow of international trade, even for those countries hostile to the U.S. If anything can safely be said about much of the world's attitude toward the U.S., notes Mandelbaum, it is that "they will

continue to criticize it, and they will miss it when it is gone."

25.    IRAN AND AMERICA: IS RAPPROCHEMENT FINALLY POSSIBLE?

         Katz, Mark N.

         Middle East Policy, Vol. 12, No. 4, Winter 2005

The author, a professor of government and politics at George Mason University, lectured in Iran and interviewed a wide variety of Iranian public figures. This article summarizes their views on a range of topics, including the Bush administration (they supported U.S. intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq), democratic revolutions (many fear such an upheaval in Iran), and the nuclear issue (they see the United States as unfair). Many supported a visit by the Secretary of State, along the lines of Nixon's visit to China, and several thought that increased academic and cultural exchanges would improve relations. Even after the recent "reprehensible" statements by President Ahmadinejad, Katz remains convinced that Washington and Tehran face the common threat of Sunni fundamentalism, an important incentive for Iranian-American cooperation. However, Katz does not believe that mutual recognition by both Washington and Tehran of the need for Iranian-American rapprochement is imminent; during the Cold War, it took several years for Washington and Beijing to recognize that it was possible for them to cooperate against the Soviet threat. He believes that the current face-off with Tehran "may have to get worse before America and Iran recognize ... the necessity for rapprochement."

26.    ON THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICAN SOFT POWER

          Nye, Joseph S.

          New Perspectives Quarterly, vol. 22, no. 3, Summer 2005, pp. 75-77

Harvard Professor Joseph Nye assesses the record of the Bush administration in terms of "soft" power. The neglect of public diplomacy in Bush's first term may be reversed in the second term, as indicated by requests in the administration's new budget. However, if our policies do not fit the values we espouse, an increased investment in public diplomacy will be undercut. President Bush should combine hard with soft power in order to make America a smart power again.

27.    THE PENTAGON PLAYS ITS CHINA CARD

          Nolt, James H.

          World Policy Journal, Vol. 22, No. 3, Fall 2005, pp. 25-33

The author, a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute who writes about China and Taiwan, argues that the July 2005 Pentagon report on China's military capability presents "an exaggerated case for a Chinese military threat" in order to make a case for funding advanced and expensive weapons systems." In an article with informative subheadings such as "China's Relative Military Decline," China's Weakness in Air Power," Impossibility of an Invasion of Taiwan," Reciprocal Dangers of a Naval Blockade," "A Nuclear Option?," and "Robust Deterrence," he stresses the "incentives against war in East Asia" and contends, "By pretending that China could use force with impunity ... the report actually encourages reckless action by China."

28.    THE POLITICS OF POWER: NEW FORCES AND NEW CHALLENGES

         Haas, Richard N.

         Harvard International Review, vol. 27, no. 2, Summer 2005, pp. 60-65

In this interview with Richard Haas, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, the politics of power is discussed. According to Haas, there are several types of power, including, military, economic, diplomatic and cultural. No matter what type of power is involved, though, it should not be confused with influence. Haas points out that the various forms of power are also interdependent; nation-states no longer have a monopoly on power. There are also many other non-state actors in the power arena today, such as, NGOs and international organizations. Haas feels the goal of U.S. foreign policy should be to mobilize international cooperation in tackling global problems.

29.    SYMBOL AND SOVEREIGNTY IN NORTH KOREA

          Medlicott, Carol

          SAIS Review, Vol. 25, No. 2, Summer 2005, pp. 69-79

The author, assistant professor at Dartmouth College and former counterintelligence analyst, notes that the very name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conjures an "Orwellian image of grim dystopia where the repressed population struggles under poverty that is as appalling as the dogma is rigid." The author notes that the Pyongyang regime uses symbols and symbolic activities to convey to the world, and to its people, the appearance of legitimacy and sovereignty. North Korea employs two distinctive categories of "symbolic state practice" -- its pattern of foreign policy interaction, which the author calls "mutual visitation diplomacy," and its ritual of "on-the-spot-guidance visits." She relates these ideas to pre-modern Confucianism, which views the state as an extended family with the leader as father, and to the vision of North Korea as "the cultural and political center of a constructed universe," along the lines of the ancient Chinese world system. She concludes that "no real progress can be made towards understanding the goals and aspirations of [this] puzzling state without the painstaking work of assessing these practices."

30.    THIN RANKS

         Vest, Jason

         Government Executive, Vol. 38, No. 1, January 2006, pp. 33-34

The author writes that the United States' ability to collect intelligence on terrorists is "startlingly weak" -- the U.S. intelligence community has too few spies in the right places, and post-Sept. 11 reforms intended to beef up human intelligence have not done the job. Vest notes that a recent trend within the CIA is the creation of specialized centers and task forces focusing on specific topics -- but many intelligence veterans worry that they are not staffed with knowledgeable people, are focused on the quantity, not the quality of the intelligence, and add extra bureaucratic layers between the case officers and policymakers. Although there has been the creation of a new National Counterterrorism Center under the director of national intelligence, the CIA still uses its own counterterrorism center. Many long-time intelligence officers have left as a result of the low morale and turf battles. All that has happened is a renaming and theoretical reorientation of the CIA's Operations Directorate, Vest notes, not the fundamental philosophical change within the intelligence community that many feel is required.

U.S. Society and Values

31.    BRIDGING TWO WORLDS: A CONVERSATION WITH BETTE BAO LORD

         Cole, Bruce

         Humanities, November-December 2005, pp. 6-9, 51-54

The magic of America, novelist and essayist Lord observes in this interview, is the idea that Americans can be as different as sisters and brothers are and still be part of the same family. Reflecting on the immigrant experience, Lord, who came to the United States from China when she was eight, discusses how she personally educated her newly-arrived parents about America, from a youngster's perspective, and how becoming an American does not mean forsaking one's own heritage and traditions. Lord is married to longtime U.S. diplomat Winston Lord, who was posted as Ambassador to China for several years in the mid-1980s; she recounts her experience returning to China in that different role, as the wife of the envoy. She has not returned to China, however, since shortly after the incidents in Tienanmen Square, which she witnessed first-hand and describes vividly.

32.    HONORING OTHERS HONORS OURSELVES

         Johnson, Jean

         American Indian, Winter 2005, pp. 16-22

Various age-old traditions and rituals that celebrate life's passages and achievements serve to demonstrate to Native Americans who they are and their origins. The author offers an adage: "Tell me how you honor and are honored, and I will tell you who you are." She cites a number of these tangible tributes -- eagle feathers, star quilts, blankets -- as well as intangibles, such as the creation of songs and stories, naming ceremonies and other festivities that enable the younger generation of Native Americans to realize their honored place in the world. A sidebar describes the accomplishments of seven Native Americans whose figures in bronze are present in the National Statuary Hall, in the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C. 

33.    PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION: MANAGING THE WORKLOAD

         Draper, Lee

         Foundation News and Commentary, vol. 47, no. 1, January/February 2006, pp. 12-19

The author, president of Draper Consulting Group, offers a number of tips for grantmakers (as well as for everybody else) who are doing more work with smaller staffs. Based on interviews with leading professionals, this article addresses meeting increased demands, maintaining high standards, seeking technological solutions, balancing work with life outside the office, and focusing on priorities. Sidebars provide strategies for handling major time wasters, e-mail, self-care, and workload. "If [a task] is not relevant and essential to carry out the mission, eliminate it," Draper concludes.

34.    A VERY LIVING PAST

         Gibson, Christine

         American Legacy, vol. 11, no. 2, Summer 2005, pp. 34-42

Over the past several years, photographer Sarah Hoskins has been documenting African-American hamlets in the counties around Lexington, Kentucky, known as the Inner Bluegrass Region. Founded by newly-freed slaves after the Civil War, several dozen communities are believed to have once existed in this area; 29 of them remain, and many are threatened by suburban expansion around Lexington. Most are still populated with the fifth- and sixth-generation descendants of the original residents. The hamlets came about when former slaveowners gave, or sold at a low price, land to their former slaves; as recently as the early 1970s, many of them still worked on the same estates where their great-grandfathers had been slaves. Hoskins, who has taken about 11,000 pictures, notes that these villages had never before been the subject of a photographic survey, saying that "African-American history has been so neglected in this country ... and has been literally bulldozed over."

35.    VIDEO GAMES AND THE FUTURE OF LEARNING

         Williamson, David Et Al.

         Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 87, no. 2, October 2005, pp. 104-111

Video games are commonly looked upon as "merely entertainment," within the academic community, but corporations, the government, and the military have already recognized their value as educational tools, and schools need to catch up, say the authors, who are faculty members at the University of Wisconsin, and founding members of the Games and Professional Practice Simulations Research Group. The authors contend that video games are an important learning tool because they let people participate in virtual communities -- where learners can understand complex concepts without losing the connection between abstract ideas and the real problems they can be used to solve. Educators face the challenge of developing games that provide a learning experience that will prepare students for "meaningful activity in our postindustrial, technology-rich, real world," say the authors.