FEATURE

OP-ED

"The Rise of Hate"

Boston Globe op-ed by Nicholas Burns on the tension in European politics today.

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EVENT

The Rising Tide of Intelligence in U.S. National Security Doctrine

Seminar w/Rolf Mowatt-Larssen. May 28, 12:15PM. Belfer Library (L369).

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AP Photo

May 21, 2013

"Obama Can Still Build 2nd Term Legacy"

CNN.com

By Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor

"Obama's first term was marked by the passage of health care legislation — unpopular with some, but a historic accomplishment that Democratic presidents have sought since the days of Harry Truman. The Democrats' loss of the House of Representatives in the 2010 elections has constrained Obama's ability to advance other transformational efforts on the domestic front, though some believe that, out of self-interest, the Republican Party may still allow bipartisan reform of immigration law during Obama's second term."

May 2013 Update

Nuclear Iran: A Glossary of Terms

By Simon Henderson and Olli Heinonen, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

At a time when the possibility of military action against Iran's nuclear program is being debated, the need for a clear understanding of the issues and the controversial science and technology behind them has never been more acute. Toward that end, the Washington Institute and Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs have copublished an interactive online glossary of terms used in the discussion about Iran, prepared by proliferation expert Simon Henderson and Olli Heinonen, former deputy director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

May 16, 2013

David Hamburg on Giving Peace a Chance

By James F. Smith, Communications Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

When Dr. David A. Hamburg led the Carnegie Corporation of New York in the 1980s and ‘90s, he drew on his roots as a physician to foster projects and research that advanced a simply stated goal: “the prevention of rotten outcomes.”

Now in his late 80s, Hamburg is still putting his medical instincts to work. He is discovering new ways to use early-prevention methods to avoid deadly conflict and enable healthy human development.

Hamburg spoke at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs on May 3 about his new book, Give Peace a Chance. His son and co-author, filmmaker Eric Hamburg, joined him at the event, along with two Harvard friends, Law School Dean Martha Minow and Belfer Center Director Graham Allison.

May 10, 2013

"The Cost of Saving Lives in Bangladesh"

The Atlantic

By Ben Heineman, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The horrific death of more than 900 Bangladesh garment workers in the collapse of a building, following the death of 112 garment workers in a Bangladesh factory fire five months ago, has led, of course, to the inevitable calls for reform. The immediate question is how to ensure structural soundness of factories after the multi-storied Rana Plaza facility--making garments for as many as 30 international retailers--broke apart, burning, suffocating and crushing its workforce. But broader issues of worker health and safety for Bangladesh's 5,000 garment factories have also come to the fore.

May 12, 2013

"JFK’s wisdom for graduates"

Boston Globe

By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School

In this season of commencement addresses, Future of Diplomacy Project Director Nicholas Burns reflects on what he believes to be the most important speech by an American president in a half a century: President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address at American University. Burns praises that speech, delivered 50 years ago next month, "for its moral courage and strong sense of idealism and hope," and encourages us to hold to those values still today.

May 2, 2013

"Are Chechen Immigrants a 'Threat'?"

The Huffington Post

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

“There are still many questions left unanswered as America seeks to understand how the Tsarnaev brothers could have inflicted harm on the innocent people of the country that has granted them shelter, food and education.But there is one question that should not be asked at all, and that is whether the horrendous attacks in Boston should prompt the United States and other countries to consider immigrants a security threat just because they belong to a certain ethnic group.”

April 29, 2013

Prince Turki on Saudi Arabia's Role after Arab Awakening

By Ramiro Gonzalez Lorca

In a speech for the Belfer Center’s Middle East Initiative, Prince Turki al Faisal laid out Saudi Arabia’s two–pronged security strategy as the Gulf kingdom contends with the fallout from the 2011 Arab uprisings and fast-changing global energy trends. Prince Turki, who directed the Saudi intelligence service for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and then to the United States, said Saudi foreign policy doctrine is based on two themes: external security and energy security.

The full text as prepared for delivery is attached (pdf).

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

April 25, 2013

"Challenges, both here and abroad"

Boston Globe

By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School

Reflecting on the events of last week in Boston and surrounding area, Professor Burns believes that the wisest strategy will be to stay true to the United States' greatest strength -- our democratic principles. 

AP Photo

April 25, 2013

"The New Normal?"

Boston Globe

By Juliette Kayyem, Lecturer in Public Policy

"...[E]very aspect of the week's events from the security precautions taken at the finish line of the Marathon to the way the manhunt was conducted will provide new standards for public safety entities who learn from each other. Giving the task of performing such an evaluation to an independent assessor without past ties to Massachusetts law enforcement is essential. Public confidence will benefit because, before we know it, there will be another Marathon next year. A formal process of determining lessons learned, while memories are fresh, is part of an effective feedback loop."

April 21, 2013

"Nation's Challenge: Terrorist Next Door"

Philadelphia Inquirer

By Marisa L. Porges, Research Fellow, International Security Program

"Active support from and cooperation with American Muslims will be one of the most effective ways to thwart future terrorist attacks. As Saudi counterterrorism officials continually remind me, the friends and family of potential jihadists are the best form of defense against radicalization. This approach works in America, too."