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Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico? Source: Wyler, Grace. "How Mexico Can Stop Losing The Drug War." Politix. Business Insider, 5 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: Mexico is losing the war on the drug cartels and can't win its war unless the U.S does more to stop our drug addiction. More than 35,000 people have died due to drug related violence and this fight against drug traffickers is eroding Mexico's democracy. In the last decade, Mexico has made steps to fix their slow economic growth but still have a long, long way to go. Also, the Mexican military has captured drug kings and cartel cell leaders, which has helped destabilize cartel leadership and create smaller/regional gangs. Having smaller/weaker organizations will have less of an influence over local governments. Reflection: I agree with this article in the fact that the U.S needs to lose our greedy demand for drugs in order to help stop the drug war. The corrupt and ineffective judicial system as well as the underdeveloped infrastructure has made it basically impossible for the Mexican government to stop these drug gangs. I think if Mexico really wants this drug war to end, then they need to iron out their government so that they can become stronger on a democratic and judicial level.. Questions:  1) Is there any way the U.S can decrease their demand for drugs? 2) Can Calderon do anything to rebuild the corrupt government? 3) If Mexico's government was less corrupt, would their still be a drug war?

Bedwell, Helen. "Georgia Blames Border Shootout on Russian-Fueled 'Criminality'." Bloomberg News 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. .  Summary:  Georgia is claiming that Russia's melting pots of crime led to the deaths of a Russian border guard and two Georgians. This happened on April 8th in Abkhazia. The prosecutor's office in the local Abkhaz area opened up a case on terrorism for the incident, but Russia said the two Georgians that were killed were members of the Ministry of the Interior's special forces.   Reflections:  I think they are both still hot-headed countries, and need to reach a peace. What I mean is a peace that will last, and is imprinted in their minds. If they do not do this, things like this will keep on happening.  Questions:  1. Why do you think Georgia & Russia still show quite a bit of hostilities towards each other?  2. Out of the two countries, is one country in particular at fault for the conflict? Why or Why not?  3. When do you think a permanent resolution to this conflict will come? For how long will it last, if not permanent?

What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? "Israel and Lebanon trade gunfire and accusations." MEED Middle East Economic Digest 51.6 (2007): 3. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=EAIM&docId=A160166153&source=gale&srcprod=EAIM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: Lebanon and Israel got into another conflict in 2007. Lebanon said the IDF crossed their territory illegally, on the other hand, the IDF said it's Lebanon's fault that they crossed the border, and provoked Israel to trade gunfire. The IDF claimed that they found several bombs close to the border; however, Hezbollah said they didn't plant any new devices. The UN defended Lebanon by saying that "the border area is littered with explosive devices", and most of the devices were planted from last year's conflict. Reflection: Lebanon and Israel have been in conflict off and on for many years. Since both countries want to protect their "territory", I think the conflict will last for more years. As time goes by, the cause of the escalation of tensions will harm both of those countries in many ways. And this will never stop unless one country gives up. I think they have to find a peaceful way to solve the problem without any more trading of gunfire and accusations. Basically, the actions of Hezbollah are affecting not only Israel, but also Lebanon. Questions: What countries or organizations support Israel? What were the immediate reactions from citizens of each country? What other specific things does UN do for the

How does the conflict in Israel affect the future of Israeli children compared to Palestinian children? Halevi, Yossi K. Foreign Affairs. N.p., 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. . Summary: With the Muslim Brotherhood poised to gain control in Egypt, Israel sees itself as almost completely encircled by hostile forces. Is an Egyptian-Iranian alliance a possibility -- and where would this leave the future of a sovereign Palestinian state.  Reflection: This article has everything to do with the future generation of Palestinians & Israelis. Everything in the Middle East is changing and uncertain at the moment. The current state of Israel & the focus of its conflict is bound to change with these new developments. Especially given the actions of Iran after Mubarak's regime was dismantled. Israel, I am sure, is on high alert at the present, and we will have to wait and see if these new developments have an affect on Israel's borders and their status as an independent state. 

Source: Press TV: Iran seizes 400 tons of narcotics http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168770.html Summary: This is an article about how Iran is trying to stop drugs from afghanistan to come through Iran. Iran is the main root for afghanistan to smuggle drugs into europe. There has been a war on drug trade in afghanistan for the last 30 years and it has claimed the lives of 3700 people. Iran has spent 700 million to try to seal its borders from drug smuggling. Reflection: This was a very helpful article to read. I did not know that Iran had big problem with afghanistan. I also that it was insane on how much Iran has spent on there borders and also that this ongoing war has lasted over 30 years. You would think by now there should be some sort of agreement. Questions: What are the relations between Iran in Europe like? How much of afghanistans drug production goes to europe? Have there been any agreements at all between Iran and afghanistan?

Georgia - Shootout in Abkhazia - NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/world/europe/09briefs-Georgia.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Georgia%20and%20Russia&st=cse Summary: A Russian border and two Georgians were killed according to the Russia's Federal Security service.  Russian border guards were finding an abandoned house when they were attacked.  The security said two Georgians were officer of the Georgian Interior ministry.  However, Georgian's ministry said one is the wanted by police and the other was an area resident.  Russia guards began patrolling the boundaries. Reflection: Even if this article is small amount, this news might be  important because this happening makes big troubles and broke their relationship between Russia and Georgia.  I think that Georgian people will be feared because Russia and Georgia will have war because of this problem. Question:1) Who killed them? 2) Why Russia and Georgia's opinion are different? 3) How to solve this happening and their peace?

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico? Source: "Introduction to Gangs: Opposing Viewpoints." Gangs. Ed. William Dudley and Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2011. Summary: Not only is the Mexican drug trade affecting Mexican citizens, but also those in America. The violence has crossed the borders and affected immigration patrol, gangs in the US, and other citizens. Mexico provides most of the cocaine and meth to the United States-about 90%. The expansion of the drug market has allowed for gangs to take higher risks for themselves, and thus higher risks for Mexicans and Americans. Because the United States is the main consumer of these drugs, we are fueling the violence. Politicians who were previously liberal on the border policy might become more conservative to protect their constituents. The US is giving money to Mexico to "help Mexico's military purchase weaponry and fund training" as well as "reform its judiciary system." Some believe that this money should actually be used to stop the government corruption instead. *the rest is on a sticky note on this page

South Ossetia News - Breaking World South Ossetia News - The New York Times http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/georgia/south_ossetia/index.html?scp=10&sq=south&st=cse Summary: South Ossetia is a small enclave in the Caucasus Mountains that falls within the borders of Georgia but has been all but independent.  Since 1990, South Ossetia and the rest of the regions declared independence from Georgia, and Russia were supported them.  In 2005, Georgia's president Mikhail Saakashvili would support them if it renounced independence but South Ossetia's president rejected.  Then in 2008, Georgia and Russia had a short war and their regions was invaded.  Then Russia pledged that they will support South Ossetia but the reconstruction has proceeded slowly.  In 2009, Russia president visited to South Ossetia after President Obama visited to Russia.  South Ossetia will be sidestepped by Russia and U.S. Reflection:  I think that South Ossetia and the other regions were really dangerous places between Russia and Georgia.  Also, this relationship between Russia and US would be affected because of Russia's president's visit.  If Russia really want to help South Ossetia, then they have to help the reconstruction of South Ossetia and the other parts which was invaded. Question:1) Why Georgia's president helped their economic problems and why South Ossetia's president rejected.                 2) Why Russia president surprise visit to South Ossetia?                 3) Why Russia did not help South Ossetia's reconstruction?

Research Question : What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? Kershner, Isabel, and Nada Bakri. "Israeli and Lebanese Forces Engage in Deadly Clash." New York Times 4 Aug. 2010: A9(L). New York Times. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary : Another clash happened; it is the fiercest clash since the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. Israeli think they need to protest with the Security Council this time. Lebanese are justifying themselves by claiming that they started the gunfire because the Israel troops crossed into their territory. However, Israeli forces says they were just in the Blue Line, the internationally recognized border. Israeli even hold their fire and allowed Lebanese to evacuate their wounded. Unfortunately, rocket-propelled grenade is what Israeli got for their generosity. Reflection : This hatred has been huge problem between Lebanon and Israel especially after the war in 2006. Lebanese has to take responsible for starting the clash this time; they should admit that their sudden furious toward Israel made this bad result of this attack. It has been about 5 years after they went through that war, and they now have to find some other peaceful ways to compromise instead of fighting against each other for forever, because their conflict affects both of them in a extremely negative way. Questions : 1) Is this clash affects other countries besides Lebanon and Israel? 2) What specifically the Security Council promised to do for the peace between two countries? 3) What methods are Israeli going to use to protest with the Security Council?

What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel?  Wall, James M. "War plan." The Christian Century 123.18 (2006): 61. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=EAIM&docId=A152196094&source=gale&srcprod=EAIM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: In 2006, Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, and took them to Lebanon. Hezbollah expected Israel to negotiate with them for the return of their prisoners; however, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert didn't even bother to negotiate. Israel attacked bridges and "Hezbollah's posts" in Lebanon, and killed many Lebanese civilians. Israel was actually trying to attack not only Hezbollah, but also the entire country of Lebanon. Reflection: The capturing of two Israeli soldiers, a small event, triggered this big 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war, which explains the later conflicts between Lebanon and Israel. I was surprised that Israel was actually waiting for Lebanon's provocation. According to what I have learned, Israel has been in the middle of a lot of problems with many countries; the tension between Lebanon and Israel is one of them. I think I need more articles that explain further information about the conflicts that happened recently. Question:  Is Hezbollah in the process of planning another war recently? What are the main conflicts that happened after the 2006 war? What is the reaction of the leader of Hezbollah towards the Israeli prime minister?

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico?  Source: Hidalgo, Oscar. "Mexican Drug Trafficking." New York Times. N.p., 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: The U.S has been helping Mexico train their military to an increasingly professional federal police force, which have captured or killed more than half of the 37 most wanted crime bosses. However, the people of Mexico believe the country's security is getting worse. In October 2010, the government announced it was going to change it's national police forces in hope of gaining trust from the public. This strategy was later revised. Reflection: This article talks a lot about the relationship between the U.S and Mexico and how they are trying to end this drug war. However, it also talks about how the U.S and Mexico are trying to prove that they are making positive changes in Mexico's security. I think that if they are in this situation where they are trying to convince the public then this crisis is not on the right path to stopping. Questions: 1) Why does such a large portion of Mexicans believe that even after the U.S and Mexico's strategies, that the country's security is getting worse? 2) Are the billions of dollars the U.S is investing in this drug war helping or changing anything? 3) Has border enforcement and people screening at crossing points help decrease the amount of drug trade with the U.S?

Regions and territories: Abkhazia  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3261059.stm Summary: Abkhazia already had a independent country in 756 AD and it was invaded by Russia and Georgia.  After Georgia declared independence in 1991, Georgia invaded Abkhazia in 1992.  So, Abkhazia had declared independence in 1999 and Georgia did not agreed the independence of Abkhazia.  In 2004, Georgia president Saakashvili tried to restore Georgia's land like Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.  In 2008, Georgia attacked Abkhazia and Russia attacked Georgia for protecting Abkhazia. Reflection: Even if Georgia did not accept their independence, Georgia needed to have conversation each other.  Also, Russia should not attack Georgia because it was huge damaged to Georgia.  If Russia was really willing to help them, Russia should be a neutral for both countries. Question:1) Why Russia interrupt between Georgia and Russia?2) Why Georgia did not accept Abkhazia as a country?3) How every country will be peaceful?4) Are both Georgia and Abkhazia safe?

Research Question: What is the cause of all the violence associated with the Mexican drug trade? Source: Caistor, Nick. "Mexico's drugs gang 'death squad' ." BBC News. N.p., 4 Sept. 2010. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11189017 Summary: The Zeta drugs gang, formed around seven years ago, is known as the most ruthless and threatening death squad in Mexican history. Ten members of the Zetas are on the DEA's most-wanted list with rewards reaching $50m. As a result of the Zetas trying to take over more territory, there have been a rapid increase in murders of rival gang members. "President Felipe Calderon has drafted nearly 50,000 members of the security forces into the fight against the cartels, but is facing increasing criticism because of the surge in deadly violence throughout Mexico." Reflection: To be honest I didn't know a lot about the Mexican drug trade, and had never heard of the Zetas. It's unfortunate to see how influential and dangerous this group has become over the course of just seven years. It disgusts me to read about how ruthless this gang is; particularly for beheading their victims. Also, I read about what Mexico's president is trying to do, however he is being criticized because of the increase in violence. Thinking more about President Felipe Calderon makes me want to look more into what Mexico is trying to do to stop such violence. This article helped me understand more about the Zeta gang but didn't specifically help answer the cause of my research question. Questions: 1) What is the most effective way of trying to reduce violence throughout Mexico? 2) Are the Zetas targeting certain areas or specific gangs? 3) Why do the Zetas want to conquer more territory so badly? 4) Because the Zetas committed some murders in the US, is the US doing anything to stop this from happening?

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico? Source: Gootenberg, Paul. "Blowback: the Mexican drug crisis." NACLA Report on the Americas 43.6 (2010): 7+. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. Summary: There is a lot of history behind the drug cartels in Mexico. It all started with the "blowback" which means that the longer war on drugs has "unintended consequences" like an "escalation of violence" (Gootenberg). Cocaine originally came to the US through Florida from the Columbians; however, after the government began stopping this trade, most of the cocaine came to the US through Mexico. The amount of drugs, specifically cocaine, that come through Mexico has increased drastically over the last 40 years. This industry takes in more money than Mexico's largest export, oil. In addition to the drug cartel increasing, government officials have also been pulled into this money making industry. In 1997, General Gutierrez Rebollo was found to be helping the Juarez cartel.

Barry, Ellen. "Georgia Poses Hurdle for U.S.-Russia Ties." The New York Times 7 Mar. 2011 [Moscow] . Web. 8 Mar. 2011. .  Summary:       The issue facing russia and the World Trade Organization, is the fact that Georgia is already a member. With Russia wanting to join the W.T.O., Georgia has the power to deny Russia's passage into the organization. Georgia is trying to use this as leverage to make deals with russia so it can get peace and get the russian troops out of it's borders. The rest of the World Trade Organization views this as annoying but expects it to be solved and done with.  Reflections:       The fact that Georgia is using this as leverage is great. If I was in control of America I would also block Russia from joining in. I probably would not give up my denial of Russia until I got recognition of Georgia as a NATO member, a country that owns itself, and  get protection from attacks from Russia. I also would think that the rest of the world, just like me, would see this stupid, unneeded, bloody conflict as completely one sided. Questions: 1. What do you think Georgia should negotiate for? 2. Do you think it is fair to Russia to be denied by a country they oppress? 3. Do you think America should support them? Explain? 4. Do you think georgia should be completely supported by  America and its allies.? Why or why not?   

Research Question: How does the conflict in Israel affect the future of Israeli children compared to Palestinian children? Summary: This article states that the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank is planning on holding general elections by September. This has been brought about as a response to the TV leaks, and the unrest in the surrounding Arab countries. This is an attempt to end the conflict between the Hamas and the West Bank. However, this article does not think that the Hamas will respond favorably to this call for democracy. But with the unrest in the surrounding nations, they might be pushed into cooperation.  Reflection: If these elections do in fact take place, this would mean a dramatic change for the future generation of Palestinians and Israelis alike. If Palestine could become an independent state, this would mean that there would hopefully be an end to the conflict that is associated with the borders. However, this is not certain. The Palestinians best hope would be to get the recognition of the UN. Unfortunately, this could be a challenge due to the relations held between the US and Israel, and the veto power that the US holds. This would also have an effect on the future generation of Israeli citizens. As the conflict would almost certainly dissolve to an extent or reach a boiling point that would inevitably lead to military action. The occurrence of these elections -- or lack thereof -- has the potential to entirely reshape the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

Research Question: Citation: Doherty, Brian. "War in Juarez: anthropologist Howard Campbell on Mexico's increasingly violent drug war." Reason Feb. 2010: 46+. Student Edition. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. Summary: Reflection: Questions:

On Friday, January 14 President Obama announced that he plans on easing trade and travel relations with Communist Cuba, including making it easier for U.S. citizens to travel directly to the island from American airports. The President added that he had instructed the relevant government departments to allow religious groups and students to travel to the communist-run island. For almost half a century, the debate has been raging over the United States' policy towards Cuba, which has been communist since Fidel Castro's coupe de etat in 1959. Free travel from the U.S. to Cuba was halted in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy. The explanation at the time for why Americans could visit the Soviet Union but not Cuba was that the communist government in Moscow was permanent but that Fidel Castro was temporary. In 1977, with Cuba still unchanged, President Jimmy Carter relaxed the travel ban. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan restored it. n 1998, with the Soviet Union "gone," Clinton loosened it and in 2004, with Cuba still unchanged, President George W. Bush tightened it again. Now President Obama is going back to the Clinton policy, which will make it easier for churches and universities to sponsor trips to the communist state. Obama's announcement calls for changes in policy at the Departments of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security, as both travel and remittances are involved in the changes, and the new regulations will be promulgated as modifications of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and the Customs and Border Protection Regulations. The new policies call for the following reforms to Cuba-United States relations. According to the BBC, Obama's new proposals: * Allow religious organizations to sponsor religious travel to Cuba under a general license; * Allow accredited institutions of higher education to sponsor travel to Cuba; * Allow any U.S. person to send remittances (up to $500 per quarter) to non-family members in Cuba to support private e

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico? Source: Miglierini, Julian. "Crunching Numbers in Mexico's Drug Conflict." BBC News. N.p., 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. <>. Summary: This article stated a number of facts that related to the number of killings since 2006 and their continued increase into 2010. The more shocking and accurate death tolls have recently been released, sending the Mexican government and people into more of a crisis than before. Not only have gang members been killed in the war against drug cartel, but civilians, police,and soldiers as well. This fight against drug cartel could possibly have increased the violence instead of diminishing it. The violence is not located all throughout Mexico; it occurs much more densely in certain areas like Ciudad Juarez, which accounts for 18% of the total number of deaths nationwide during a certain time period. Drug barons have been captured or killed, but so have mayors and journalists. The Mexican people do not feel safe; what can the government do about this?

Georgians Build Ties With Russian Caucasus - NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/world/europe/13georgia.html?_r=2 Summary: After the war between Russia and Georgia, Russian Caucasus looked like a ghetto because of the tension of the war.  So, the government of Georgia went on to drop visa requirements for residents of the north caucasus.  However it is still in tension of war and even threaten to 2014 Olympic. Reflection:Although it was big trouble of war, I am so pleased that the war would be solved peacefully.  Also, Both countries tried to find solution what is good for then or not.  I wish both countries will be better. Question: Why Russian Caucasus are here in Georgia? Why Russian Caucasus looked like a ghetto? How to be peaceful both countries.