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Lessons from the Cold War - Melvyn Leffler

2008-09-08T10:45:16Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Melvyn Leffler, Edward R. Stettinius professor of American History at the University of Virginia, examines the ongoing legacy of the Cold War and its lessons for American foreign policy.

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Melvyn Leffler discusses Cold War Legacies and Contemporary Dilemmas as a part of American Foreign Policy: Leadership and Dialogue during the 2008 Chautauqua Institution morning lecture series.

Melvyn P. Leffler is Edward R. Stettinius professor of American History at the University of Virginia where he is also co-chair of the Governing America in a Global Era program at the Miller Center of Public Affairs. Dr. Leffler served as Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at UVA from 1997 - 2001.His most recent book, For the Soul of Mankind: The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War, was published in September. It has been called "a masterful account of the Cold War by a distinguished historian in full stride" in a recent Foreign Affairs review.

The author of many books on foreign affairs, Dr. Leffler was awarded the Bancroft Prize in 1993 for A Preponderance of Power: National Security, the Truman Administration and the Cold War. He is currently editing a three volume Cambridge History of the Cold War and beginning work on a book on George W. Bush and American foreign policy.

Dr. Leffler served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the Carter administration, where he worked on arms control and contingency planning as a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was president of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations in 1993; a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars from 2001 - 2002; and a Henry Kissinger Fellow at the Library of Congress from 2004 - 2005.

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Myths About the Global Poor - Iqbal Quadir

2008-09-08T10:45:17Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

MIT business professor Iqbal Quadir debunks misconceptions about poverty-stricken countries, and argues that adoption of new technologies can help alleviate conditions in these areas.

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Iqbal Quadir on "How Technology Is Empowering the Poor."

Quadir presented a broad outline of development in order to give context for his belief that technology can alleviate poverty.

He reminded us that 500 years ago, when the western countries were still "developing" their own societies, their political systems were no better, and often worse, than the instable corrupt regimes of many developing countries today.

England had a series of kings who were impeached, arrested, ousted, or beheaded for their crimes. It was only after citizens were empowered by economic markets did the balance of power shift from the central king to decentralized citizens.

All steps that devolve power away from a central authority - including laws, trade, and education - will raise democracy.

In Quadir's view, it's not that centralization per se creates poverty. Poverty is the natural beginning state of all societies, east or west. Rather, decentralization is the engine which removes poverty and brings wealth.

To the degree that infrastructure, education, and trade can be decentralized, wealth will rise in proportion. To the degree that infrastructure, education and trade are centralized, poverty will remain - The Long Now Foundation

Iqbal Z. Quadir, founder of Gonofone and GrameenPhone, is the founder and director of the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the founding co-editor of Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, a journal published by MIT Press

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Inside Story - Can the Doha round be saved?-21 Jul 08-Part 1

2008-07-28T06:45:49Z

Representives from more than 30 countries have met in Geneva in an attempt to conclude talks that began seven years ago. The Doha round of talks, as they are known, are aimed at reducing trade barriers and aiding developing countries to promote free trade. The main sticking points surround the demand by developing nations for the richer ones to receive lower agricultural subsidies while industrialised nations are asking for countries with emerging markets to reduce import duties. Inside Story asks if the Doha round can be saved.

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Song:I don't believe in Nationalism (and neither should you)

2008-06-17T21:30:22Z

I don't believe in nationalism (and neither should you)

I'll never forget how after 9/11
all my Arab friends had to go into hiding
and some went to Canada , and some stayed tall
and many were arrested often for nothing at all

and as the police drove them away
a bunch of people held flags chanting U-S-A

America sucks
Iraq sucks too
I don't believe in Nationalism , and neither should you
it's just a piece of land, that noone really owns
and the way things are going lately, it's not turing out to be much of a home.

When people come across imaginary lines
to get a piece of bread , to get a better life
and for all of their work they should get open arms,
but they're told to go back to where ever they come from

you don't have to be afraid if they don't look like you.
they still want hugs , they need love too,
from some body who care, it doesn't really matter from where

America sucks
Mexico sucks too
I don't believe in Nationalism , and neither should you
it's just a piece of land, that you took from someone else
and the way things are going lately, we've got to redefine what is wealth.

Imagine if there's no countries
it's easy if you try
especially if you start with
all the ones that have committed Genocide.

Imagine all the people sharing all the world.

there's a long history of you against me
based on racist ideas of geography
from Lebensraum to Manifest destiny
there's a lot we could learn if only we would see

Respect for the world it doing something smart
to give back to the land, to give back to your heart
when we all come together, we can all finally be free

America sucks
the rest sucks too
I don't believe in Nationalism , and neither should you
drawing lines on mother earth, is the greatest form of theft
and the way things are going lately, there isn't going to be much of a planet left.

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Gary Hart - Time for a New NATO?

2008-06-16T09:32:11Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart calls for a NATO-style international organization of liberal democracies to address global issues.

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Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart discusses his new book Under the Eagle's Wing: A National Security Strategy of the United States for 2009.

Gary Hart is currently Wirth Chair Professor at the University of Colorado, distinguished fellow at the New America Foundation, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

A thoughtful treatise, Under the Eagle's Wing makes a compelling plea for our upcoming leaders to embrace a new world order, one in which the U.S. and other nations draw strength from a united approach - Tattered Cover Book Store

Gary Hart is an author, lecturer, teacher, scholar, attorney, and former US Senator from Colorado. A candidate in 1984 for the Democratic Party's nomination for president, during 1970-1972 he managed Senator George McGovern's presidential campaign. He has also served as an appellate attorney in the Justice Department, a special assistant at the Department of the Interior, and senior counsel to the international law firm Coudert Brothers.

He co-chaired the US Commission on National Security/21st Century as well as the Council on Foreign Relations' Task Force on Homeland Security. In the Congress he founded the Military Reform Caucus, served on the Senate select committee to investigate the intelligence agencies, and introduced a collection of environmental measures for energy independence.

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Americans Rate Canada Best, Iran Worst

2008-08-16T07:43:36Z

In Gallup's annual poll of views of foreign countries, Americans rate Canada and Britain the most favorably and Iran and North Korea the least favorably.

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Riz Khan - Question of the Week - 10 Dec 07

2008-06-14T03:29:32Z

With more Middle Eastern countries announcing their plans to build nuclear facilities, what impact do you think this will have on the region and the world?

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Inside Story - Illegal immigrants - 07 Oct 07 - Part 2

2008-06-14T21:29:41Z

Thousands of illegal immigrants die in an attempt to flee their poor countries to make a better life in rich countries.

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Inside Story - Illegal immigrants - 07 Oct 07 - Part 1

2008-06-14T21:29:39Z

Thousands of illegal immigrants die in an attempt to flee their poor countries to make a better life in rich countries.

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Riz Khan - Becoming a banker to the poor - 08 Nov 07

2008-06-14T21:30:32Z

Riz Khan looks at how microfinancing is assisting small businessmen and women in developing countries.

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Riz Khan- African Green Revolution- 24 Sept 07

2008-06-16T09:39:50Z

African countries are in the process of a major change, transforming their countrysides from subsistence farming to sustainable modern agriculture. The aim is increased agricultural productivity and food security on the continent.

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