Individual

To discredit the impact of the individual in international relations is a severe misstep. When looking at the different levels on analysis there is an individual level for a reason. The individual is what makes up International Relations. Individuals set borders, individuals control resources, individuals make laws and polices and individuals are ones interacting with each other. From a hand shake to a signature, individuals are shaping international relations every day. It is through actions of an jihadist bomber or a Secretary of State, these such individuals make a decision that will affect international relations.

Past and Present there are individuals who are or have contributed to international relations, Hitler, Joseph Kony, Woodrow Wilson, Osama Bin Laden, Bashar al-Assad, and Iranian President Ahmadinejad are just a few examples. Sadly, it seems as though history remembers those who had a negative effect on International Relations (or those who had a fix a negative situation as in the case of Woodrow Wilson). But these negative people have had profound impact on international relations. They have set the stage for world wars, civil wars, genocide and some are still in progress of leaving their mark on international relations (a potential threat of nuclear war). However their decisions have engaged the rest of the world and affected everything from the economy to every day life. They have set new protocol, changed international norms and one could argue have helped set up international institutions such as the United Nations.

But as demonstrated by the picture below, international relations is like a puzzle, there are many pieces to this puzzle. These pieces consist of individuals, institutions, and states but they all fit together to make up the larger picture of international relations.

picture credit:
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1517&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbnid=f4P_PVfVGLTO3M:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshake&docid=A-XE_ieA918WxM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Handshake_(Workshop_Cologne_%252706).jpeg/170px-Handshake_(Workshop_Cologne_%252706).jpeg&w=170&h=170&ei=YxWSUPWDD47O0QHGuIHoDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=216&vpy=229&dur=206&hovh=135&hovw=135&tx=91&ty=61&sig=116686464983634084211&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=135&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,i:151

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1517&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbnid=yCGp-Q-48Zie-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.farmequip.org/committees/international_relations&docid=n4wh_Gj5_NQrXM&imgurl=http://www.farmequip.org/imgupload/international.jpg&w=283&h=424&ei=fxWSUMbpGdPV0gH8iYCoBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=366&vpy=150&dur=1&hovh=275&hovw=183&tx=86&ty=104&sig=116686464983634084211&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=96&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,i:89

Israeli Security

In the past few weeks there have been several clashes between Iran and Israel, which seem to only be increasing tensions in the region. Giving a background of these issues would be a good idea before I delve into talking about analysis and international repercussions. On Saturday October 6, 2012 a drone entered Israeli airspace and was downed by the Israeli military. It was claimed by the government that this drone was a drone from Iran who was targeting Israeli bases. Iran claims no ownership to this drone that was launched by the Lebanese Hezbollah movement because they are stating that they have more sophisticated technology than the drone that was shot down. There are two article links below that explain further on the topic.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/28/iran-drone-israel_n_2034381.html#slide=1631287

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/iran-drone-photos-israel-bases_n_2038168.html

The second issue of contention between Israel and Iran in the past few weeks is a claim that Israel in an air strike blew up an Iranian arms factory in Sudan on October 23, 2012. This supposed claim comes at an interesting time because this factory has been known to support the Hamas through Iran and at the time Israeli forces were/are fighting with the Hamas in Gaza. Israel and the United States both regard Sudan as a terrorist-sponsoring state and Israel flat views Sudan as an enemy because of their direct coordination with Iran.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-tinsley/sudan-yarmouk-compound-_b_2029808.html
(I'm fully aware of how much I love Huffington Post and use them a a reference)
http://theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/sudan-blames-israel-for-strike-on-munitions-plant-promises-retaliation/


These events have several repercussions for Israel and in the grand scheme the international politics of this region. The second issue is easier to look at the consequences of the action. Israel has been coy to deny or accept involvement in this air strike. However Arab countries are still looking to find the terms in which to condemn Israel for their supposed involvement. Iran has promised retaliation towards Israel, this could have dire consequences for the world. Iran's government has openly voiced their disdain for the Israel state and has stated goals to destroy the country. This air strike by Israel could be the spring board Iran was looking for. With the added tension from striking down a drone that has ties to Iran relations between the two countries are reaching a pivotal point. I am curious to see how Iran will respond or whether it actually will because Iran knows that Israel is backed by the United States. Is mutually assured destruction enough to sway Iran's agenda away from destroying Israel. Personally I don't think Iran will make a move, I feel as though there is much talk however no action. I hope that whoever the next President might be, they will look into establishing relations with Iran, because I firmly believe that Diplomacy not force is going to be the best way to solve these problems.

picture from: http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1517&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbnid=JJYCIU0daeIDSM:&imgrefurl=http://distortedmedia.blogspot.com/2012/01/real-truth-about-iran-and-us-relations.html&docid=uOgZfxRYXnHqvM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1nZY0Ny_Xwr4KjU1F4klC8geDHLuKtoqohwyemOeGBBgF8bOYcs_tDBIPPYynHbuvcFF2Oz9CvkNpAww9dW4DDeF2ITqKdzq_1dIcml9kIK_v-canS6WRF_Umb4xK6lDzJoEMXz7YQg/s1600/pic.jpg&w=482&h=300&ei=j1WQUPvpEoK_0AH7t4DYBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=190&vpy=128&dur=1&hovh=176&hovw=285&tx=152&ty=84&sig=116686464983634084211&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=225&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,i:137

Blame Game

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/us/clinton-benghazi/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

In the article above from CNN, Senator Clinton is taking the blame for the Benghazi attacks and the deaths of Ambassador Stevens and the other U.S. civilians. I find it interesting that on the eve of the next presidential debate Secretary of State Clinton is taking responsibility for the security of diplomats. I am wondering how much of a scapegoat this is for President Obama. I think it is interesting to see the actions of abroad play such a strong action in our local politics of the election. I am curious to see how Candidate Romney is going to use these attacks against President Obama and how President Obama is going to respond now that there has been public admittance for blame.

Water Battles

This article that I have posted isn't entirely connected to the Middle East, however it does pertain to the ideas we talked about about the beginning of resource week. Currently right now, there is a water war raging between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as Tajikistan's president Emomali Rakhmon is in the process of building the world's largest dam over the Amu Darya Tributary. This article states how downstream Uzbekistan is complaining about the unfair advantage that Tajikistan will now have over the waterway. Islam Karimov, who rules Uzbekistan is quoted in the article "This project could cause not just serious confrontation but even wars." As we read from Dolatyar and Gray, who argue that water scarcity has never caused war, might just be proven wrong in the months to come. Theoretically  this dam is being built to provide the hydro-electrical power needed to stop the frequent power shortages of Tajikistan. However, several other dams have been built with the same intentions but have yet to proven fruitful in ending the power crisis. There have been several supposed actions taken by Uzbekistan to harm and "punish" Tajikistan for their dam building such as, mines along the border, halting of commercial traffic, and blowing up of a rail bridge. I can however tie this article into the Middle East because NATO forces are concerned over this matter especially because these two countries supply for the war in Afghanistan and its crucial that it stays that way for a NATO withdraw from Afghanistan. This withdraw is set for December of 2014 however this dispute could erupt into something significantly larger scale and cause set backs for more then just building production. I've attached the article if you are interested in reading.

http://www.economist.com/node/21563764

Got the picture on the top at http://peakwater.org/tag/rogun-dam/

Water Blog

As I was surfing through Google images for the right picture of water this was the only one that stuck out in my mind. Not that a ripple effect in a pond or a slow-mo of a water droplet wasn't cool, but this picture captured the essence of "the feelings about water". I feel far to often do we take water for granted and never think on a grand scale of water. I agree wholeheartedly with that statement and my results from my water footprint certainly support it.

For the first test these were my results

                    Mine                  Average
Diet              87                       100
Energy         544                      700
Stuff            279                      232
All              1677                    2088


Although my results were below average almost all categories there is still one that was above average and it bothers me. The fact that my "stuff" category is well above the average nudges at my conscience. I am guilty of being a shopoholic and I buy countless pairs of shoes and cases of water. I have a personal conviction to take my spending into more consideration of the water footprint I am leaving.

When looking at averages for water footprints I was quite surprised at the percentages of the footprints outside of the country.

My footprint: 1398 m3/yr
Global Average: 1385 m3/yr per capita
United States of America: 2842 m3/yr per capita with 20.2% of that footprint outside of the country
Saudi Arabia: 1849 m3/yr per capita with 66.1% of that footprint outside of the country
Yemen: 901 m3/yr per capita with 75.7% of that footprint outside of the country
Qatar: no data
Bahrain: no data
Kuwait: 2072 m3/yr per capita with 89.5% of that footprint outside of the country
United Arab Emirates: 2842 m3/yr per capita with 20.2% of that footprint outside of the country

I am glad that my foot print is lower than the average of the U.S.A. and only slightly above the global average. However I found the percentages astounding with how much of the countries footprint in my region lies outside of their country. This has potential for dire consequences when looking for the realist perspective. These countries are very dependent on the outside world. This could create more instability in the region then is already present. I have hopes that reciprocity will win out though and countries can use this resource that everyone needs as a way to create a world peace and order.

Oh my, it has been awhile

In lieu of not posting in awhile I am going to post double as much this week. The first thing I want to start off with is an article I found while reading CNN world news. I will post the link ahead of my comments so you can read it if you so choose.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/asia/cnnheroes-afghan-schoolgirls/index.html

This article has been a part of the series "CNN Hero's" and this article is profiling Afghan girls being brave enough to pursue their education. For myself, this is an extremely contentious issue. As a promoter of women's rights, I firmly believe women around the world should be empowered through education and it pains me to hear the horror stories of young girls who are maimed by acid, raped, or worse yet killed because of their yearning for an education. My heart goes out to the young girls who are forced to withdraw from school due to an arranged marriage. The problem that I am having internally is "Where do I let my personal beliefs clash with cultural norms and vice versa" I am empathetic to cultural norms such as arranged marriages but yet I want women to have the right to choose with whom to spend the rest of their lives .I would go so far as to ask, Why must a woman be married at all, why must a marriage define the life of so many women in the Middle East? These questions plague my mind because some of these questions can even be applied here in the United States. Is there still a glass ceiling for women? Why must a woman be married to be successful?

With a background as a United States Citizen, having an education is something I have taken for granted. I cannot even imagine having to worry about my trip to school wondering if I will come home that day or not. This article does have an upside to it, more and more young girls are attending school every year in thanks to organizations such as UNICEF, OXFAM and Save the Children. I want these young girls to gain an education and realize their bright future. I firmly agree with the quote stated by Jan from Save the Children "If true change is to come to Afghanistan, it's crucial to educate the next generation." These children must gain and education to make decisions that are no longer biased and influenced by hatred or cultural misunderstandings. Afghanistan has strong potential and it should be cultivated in this next generation of students so there can be an agenda for positive change.