Other blogs to follow...
The following blogs are either written by The Foreign Policy Institute Fellows or partners of FPI. They range a variety of topics related to current challenges facing the United States and the world.
The New Silk Road Monitor, by Afshin Molavi
"An idea germinated: there’s a whole world of intersections, of Indian merchants in Bahrain, Iranian traders in Dubai, South Asian professionals in Saudi Arabia, of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and South China Sea trade networks, of an Eastern order of merchants and political elites linking East Africa, India, the sub-continent, Asia, and the Persian Gulf region and onward to southern and northern Europe. In a sense, there was a New Silk Road forming, recalling the original Silk Road of trade and traffic that lasted – on and off – for more than 1500 years before it went silent in the mid 15th century... Over the past five years, the trend lines of South-South trade, growing emerging markets middle classes, and rapid urbanization have all been shifting up and to the right. While the emerging markets hype has been frothy, the current negativity is also missing the point: the demographics will drive the story and the demographics combined with new forms of connectivity and will literally reshape the world. Yes, there will be lows, and there will be losers, but the New Silk Road has long ago been revived... This humble blog aims to tell some of the stories of this revival."
Dr. Abbas Kadhim, Academic Research and Author
"Dr. Abbas Kadhim is an academic and author with research interests in Iraq, Iran, Persian Gulf, and Islam. He is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, SAIS- Johns Hopkins University and the President of the Institute of Shia Studies in Washington, D.C. He earned a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006. Between 2005 and 2013 Dr. Kadhim was an Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs/Middle East Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. Prior to Joining SAIS, Dr. Kadhim held a Senior Government Affairs position at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, DC. He may be followed on Twitter (@DrAbbasKadhim)."
Peacefare.net, by Daniel Serwer
"Welcome to peacefare.net! This blog is dedicated to building peace worldwide. It focuses on the concepts, analysis, policies, institutions, people, experience, lessons learned and tools needed to prevent and resolve violent international conflict. It is open to military and civilian contributions, to third country and host country nationals, to national government officials, civil society and international organizations... Peacefare.net is published by Daniel Serwer, LLC. The blogger in chief is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and director of its Conflict Management Program, as well as a Senior Fellow in the Center for Transatlantic Relations and a Scholar at the Middle East Institute. Formerly Vice President of the Centers of Innovation at the United States Institute of Peace, he oversaw the Institute’s work in rule of law, religion and peacemaking, sustainable economies, media and conflict, and science, technology and peacebuilding, as well as security sector governance and gender."
The LEAD, Meridian International Center
"The LEAD – Leaders Engaging for Action and Dialogue. Meridian International Center, founded in 1960, is a leading non-partisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening international understanding and global engagement. Meridian works with the U.S. State Department and U.S. embassies worldwide to create lasting international partnerships through leadership and cultural exchanges. Meridian also connects U.S. and foreign governments with the private sector to respond to global challenges and sustain impact ... The Meridian Blog is designed to provide Meridian’s constituents and other audiences with information on its programs and activities, as well as interesting perspectives on issues which affect people, communities, and countries around the world. The Blog is intended to be a dynamic informational site and a hub through which the staff of Meridian and its constituents can share their views."