July 2017 – Brian F. Bridgeforth

Congo: Into the Heart of Darkness

July 30, 2017

To lose faith in humanity, one just has to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past 20 years over 5 million people have died in from violence, hunger, and disease. The fighting

Mohammed bin Salman

July 29, 2017

This past June the 81-year-old Saudi King Salman announced his son Mohammed bin Salman, 31, the new Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia making him next in line to the throne. Observers have been speculating for

Venezuela: In the Midst of a Crises

July 27, 2017

In 1998 Hugo Chávez was elected president of Venezuela. He ran on a populist platform that pledged to use the country’s vast oil wealth to reduce poverty and punish the country’s elites. By the time

Trump Bans Transgender Soldiers From Serving

July 26, 2017

One year ago then Defense Secretary Ash Carter lifted the ban barring transgender people from serving in the military. The United States was one of 19 countries in the world whose military allowed transgender soldiers

Diplomacy and Klemens von Metternich

July 16, 2017

Klemens von Metternich was one of Europe’s most conservative statesmen in a time when Napoleonic liberalism was putting Europe through upheaval. The Europe Metternich envisioned to replace the turmoil of his time was one of

China’s Relationship with North Korea

July 12, 2017

Ever since China came to the aid of the North Korea regime in the Korean war, China has been a reliable partner with North Korea. By maintaining good relations with North Korea, China hopes it