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Thousands of criminals have been killed under the Philippine president, Duterte, due to a corrupt judicial system that leads citizens to feel unsafe. Therefore, these citizens search for short-term security in terms of murder.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Japan has consistently had a low number of cases but as quarantine continues many citizens are getting restless at home and others feel the finical pressure to reopen their businesses despite the increase of cases.

I find it interesting how this article highlights the sentiment that the Japanese government is out of touch and lacks leadership when it comes to the containment of the coronavirus. The government's apparent prioritization of the economy over the well being of their citizens does not seem unique to Japan.

I agree with Amalie in that many government's, Japan and the United States included, are prioritizing the economy over the health of their citizens. I also find it interesting that the Japanese government is half-way committing to shut downs, which is also similar to the United States. Countries might need to start putting the well being of their citizens first, even if that will lead to economic struggles for the country.

Venezuela, under the leadership of President Maduro, has started to to use military force, intimidation, and imprisonment to address the coronavirus and consolidate political power. It is believed that the virus presents a threat to the Venezuelan government because it exposes the country's lack of resources and vulnerability in times of turmoil. It has now essentially become a crime to contract the virus because one can be labeled a bio-terrorist. I was drawn to this article because I wanted to see how other countries have been addressing the virus and this approach certainly stood out to me.

This article is really interesting. I think it highlights the fact that a crisis shows the true colors of a government and what they value. In this case they clearly don't value the lives of their citizens. Although their methods may be effective at slowing the spread of coronavirus, given the conditions the so called "bio-terrorists" are forced to live in, they are not effective at keeping their citizens healthy. Rather, the government is only employing this method to perpetuate power. From what I have seen in this and other articles, it appears that in many places around the world the government's response to COVID-19 has less to do with protecting the health and well being of citizens and more to do with maintaining power and image.

This article is both fascinating and deeply disturbing. Like Jalen said, this really does put on full display what a government actually cares about. I saw in the article that Pres. Maduro said "[his citizens are] given care that's unique in the world, humane care, loving, Christian," and having done a quick google search I've realized that Venezuala is an officially Roman Catholic country. I found this interesting, and I've often wondered why countries that are officially religious seem so often not to adhere to the values of those religions, while claiming that they do. An easy answer is to protect their reputation and economy, but I'd love to look into it more.

This article is interesting in that it explains the US condoned airstrikes and military presence in Syria from the point of view of Syrian citizens. We've discussed in class how the US has developed a mentality where we assume a) that we are a well-liked global super power and b) that we are morally obligated to get involved in any conflict given our national power/influence. However, this article shows that some Syrian citizens are deeply disturbed by the presence of the United States, as air strikes have destroyed several communities of non-ISIS supporters and have caused numerous casualties. Additionally, the constant air strikes seem to have had the opposite effect of what was intended: many Syrians have developed anti-American attitudes and have begun to identify with ISIS. So, basically, the very actions we have taken to eliminate ISIS have increased public support of the Islamic State. That is not to say that every (or even the majority of) Syrians now support ISIS, but it is interesting to take a look at the repercussions of our actions in the eyes of a nation that is directly affected.

Political instability is evident in France as the cabinet fell apart over questions regarding the financial crisis of France and the overall economic downslide of the euro over the last 5 years. The Prime Minister Manuel Vall called for the dissolvement of the cabinet after President Hallonde made changes to economic regulations based on the urges of the European Union, German leaders to be specific. The big question regarding the European economy is whether government budget cuts and deficit financing is more important or finding a way to get cash flowing and creating jobs for citizens is more important. Many of the nations of the eurozone initially bought into the policies of austerity policies that Angel Merkel, the German chancellor, advocated, but now they're pulling back their restrictions and some economic growth is occurring. France and Germany, the largest economies in Europe are at odds and France's shift towards the right-wing National Front. France, as a part of the European Union, has pressure to do follow orders and maintain relationships with other European powers rather than do what's exactly right for their citizens. Political instability of France, unemployment, budget cuts, and debt-financing.

An article analyzing Swiss gun culture. At first, it seems similar to the US gun culture because Swiss citizens are allowed to own select fire rifles and keep them in their homes. However, their rifle is for their country, not for themselves. The types of guns you can own isn't very restricted, but you are not allowed to have them in a vehicle unless youre going to a shooting range, and concealed carry is illegal. The Swiss own guns to quickly fight off an invading foreign army. Many Us citizens own guns to, in their mind, "keep the government in check".

After the US walked away from discussions on Syria, President Putin stepped up his country's military activity, with an enormous mobilization of first responders and civilians on the home front. In addition, the President redeployed nuclear weapons, making sure to leave some in place for American surveillance satellites to see. Mr. Putin also suggested the reopening of Russian military bases in Vietnam and Cuba. However, many see this as a distraction from the Russian economy, which is showing the first dip in income for the country's citizens since Putin assumed the Presidency in 2000. The nation's budget is also being heavily slashed, with healthcare and the military losing 33% and 6% of their funding, respectively. People inside Russia commented that the new budget leaves money for the military and police, and little else. Further speculation is that Mr. Putin is using the same strategy he employed in the Ukraine, which is to ramp up Russia's military and leverage that in diplomatic conversation with other nations. Some of Putin's comments also suggest that he wants to push Russia as a concern of the US Presidential election, and make sure that whoever the next President is will see Russia as a force to be reckoned with.

South Africa is experience a similar police brutality as the US. However their's comes from a much different history, hence "coloured lives". South African citizens remember police from the apartheid, who then followed white leadership and used force to assassinate leaders, start violence, and enforce the rules. That is tearing the police-citizen relationship apart. They recently murdered 16 year old Nathaniel Julies when he was caught in between fire, sparking outrage and protest.

Attorney General is investigating claims that Russian citizens bribed the President. A previous investigation was shut down a few weeks after it started.

More news from Cuba showing that free speech is still not given to their citizens.

The prime ministers has agree to add the proposition for Scottish independence into then ballot. Voting on the issue of "yes for independence" or "no for independence" will be open to all citizens 16 years of age an up (2 years younger than their legal voting age). While some believe that the Scottish people will be better of separate, others disagree. The vote allows a simple yes or no answer to separation, which could prove disastrous with a sudden and complete separation of states and economies.

I found this article very interesting not because it necessarily went along with or opposed my beliefs, but rather because it made me wonder how true their information really was. This piece describes the injustice in the lack of privacy of the American. Since the 9/11 attacks, FISA (foreign intelligence surveillance act) has put measures in place intended to "protect" us citizens. The article states that in this new era of "hope" that Obama advocates, it is surprising and unnecessary that our freedoms continue to be suppressed. This I agree with. Although I understand the idea from which this act stemmed, I do not think it is effective in either gathering information or protecting attacks. However, the article continues to describe the secretive nature of this group and how they advertise that we should all be transparent because if we are good we have nothing to hide. Though this may be true, this FISA interjection does indeed serve as a loophole to our constitutional right to privacy. The way the article presented this issue makes me interested in pursueing more information on the topic so that I can be better informed and understand to a great extend what is going on. I'm sorry if this sounds really dumb. I'm half falling asleep

This month, the town's fascist sympathies became the subject of intense debate when its mayor unveiled a publicly financed memorial to one of its most controversial former citizens: Rodolfo Graziani, a general under Mussolini who was accused of war crimes at the end of World War II and earned the title of "the Butcher" in two campaigns during Italy's colonization of North Africa in the 1920s and '30s.

CoPo Relevance: influence of a country's history over its current identity/political culture. Thanks, Alexander.

The Republican National Convention took an uncharacteristic turn toward foreign policy on Wednesday night, as two prominent speakers lashed out at President Barack Obama's leadership in world affairs. "Unfortunately, for four years, we've drifted away from our proudest traditions of global leadership, traditions that are truly bipartisan," said Sen.

Very interesting. I like this quote from the article: "Rice oversaw U.S. foreign policy during a time when many citizens have come to feel the United States overextended itself abroad, entering into two wars that continued well into the Obama administration (and one, Afghanistan, that continues to this day). Perhaps in a nod to that legacy, Rice acknowledged that "there is a weariness -- I know that it feels as if we have carried these burdens long enough." But, she continued, "One of two things will happen if we don't lead: No one will lead and there will be chaos, or someone will fill the vacuum who does not share our values. My fellow Americans, we do not have a choice: We cannot be reluctant to lead, and you cannot lead from behind." For us to discuss: what IS the United States' foreign policy role today? How might it be changing?

"Earlier in the day, Rice had offered some specific criticisms of Obama's handling of the uprising in Syria, accusing the president of waffling and "muting" America's voice."

This article addresses China's view of education and how it should be implemented. The main political party, the Chinese Communist Party, is attempting to implement a mandatory teachers manual by 2015. The manual gives specific instruction on how and what to teach Chinese students. However, the manual did not experience the same support it did in the Communist party. Heavy criticism of the manual arose from the education Bureau and the students themselves. A hunger strike arose on Friday and a march of 32-90 thousand protesting the manual. The article is important because is it address a nation's view of education and how education should be controlled by politics. The Article also shows how a major political party can not always be the most popular with the people.

Interesting. Of course, China is a communist country, so it is also interesting that citizens feel empowered to protest. Among democratic regimes, France also has a very scripted education program: my understanding is that the daily curriculum for the whole country is set by the Education ministry, so no matter where you are in France on September 4, you will be doing the same thing as all students in your grade everywhere else in the country. Why does this fly there? Why is it much less likely to fly here in the US?

A deep "insider's view" into the civil war occurring in Syria. Reveals the brutal crimes against humanity that the Syrian government is inflicting upon its citizens including murder rape, and unprecedented violence.

It is really interesting to read an article from the point of view of a person in Syria. The author is clearly begging for help for Syria. I think the last line is incredibly powerful, where the author says that Syria is part of the world and the world needs to help. Unfortunately for the author, not every other country agrees.

This is an interesting perspective on what is going on in Syria. I found it pretty accurate how the author described western powers as masking their "political inertia with empty rhetoric about a 'political solution'". I had no idea that over 7 million people (1/3 of the Syrian population) were IDPs as a result of this conflict. It's truly a horrible story. It's also interesting how the author describes the western powers' switch from being against the rebels to seeing their actions as justified.

- China's consumption boom is not enough to succour the world economy. - Today, rising from the once-modest streets is a gaudy building intended for a new kind of model citizen: consumers.

Definitely has a lot of interesting insights, particularly the relationship between tourism and consumption in China

It is interesting to note the effects of China's one child policy and how it affects the workforce and overall economy. In fact, it seems only logical that China's economy continues to struggle through the generations of only children. In my opinion, that was a obvious and significant flaw of the one child policy and I wonder how the government has prepared to address it in coming years as the work force continues to shrink.

Through this article I have gained a deeper insight in how public expenditures and public goods promote wealth equality in a society. "Public services are an important antipoverty tool."

Cool theory in regards to "the tipping point". Interesting, and solid criticism of large social expenditures. Wonder how socialists view this, as opposed to free-market economists.

"Public services are an important antipoverty tool. Their benefit doesn't show up in income data, but they appear to play a key role in reducing material hardship." INteresting to see the statistics and how social expenditures help reduce poverty and the wealth gap.