Is the “Joint Plan of Action” accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program a good agreement for the West and Middle East peace, or is the agreement, signed November 24 in Geneva, just the same treacherous Iranian wine in a fancy... Continue Reading →
European political leadership is desperately in need of new energy and vision. Within Europe’s ongoing deep malaise an unexpected element has appeared: the new pontiff, Pope Francis. The thoughts that follow are inspired by the surprising popular enthusiasm his initial... Continue Reading →
The troubles have begun. Israeli/Palestinian negotiations as expected won’t march along nicely. First was the good news. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet announced Israel would release 104 long-serving Palestinian prisoners. Yesterday chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said four groups of... Continue Reading →
No country, especially in the 27-country European Union, should want to be the only international success story. Not to be forgotten is that the Eurozone, scene of the current chaos, is enveloped by the EU. It is not the whole... Continue Reading →
Negotiations between President Obama and Republicans on deficit reduction confuse a lot of people because media reports give only partial accounts. Just as current stock market record highs are stated without noting the effects of inflation (nominal vs. inflation-adjusted statistics),... Continue Reading →
How many great teachers does it take for students to succeed? The answer is one. Here’s a story that convinces me of this fact yet again: My department, the political science department at Amherst College, is hiring an assistant professor... Continue Reading →
Israel's strategic problem in historical terms is, ultimately, how to win a war well. The Palestinian problem is to avoid losing this war in the most drawn-out, worst possible way. Palestinians (including any realistic Hamas leaders), know approximately what they... Continue Reading →
Tiersky's Viewpoint 