News + Media

	News Release May 29, 2014 An ecological risk research agenda for synthetic biology Environmental scientists and synthetic biologists have for the first time developed a set of key research areas to study the potential ecological impacts of synthetic biology, a field that could push beyond incremental changes to create organisms that transcend common evolutionary pathways. The Synthetic Biology Project at the Wilson Center and the Program on Emerging Technologies at CIS convened the interdisciplinary group of scientists and are releasing the report, Creating a Research Agenda for the Ecological Implications of Synthetic Biology. The work was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
	Analysis + Opinion May 28, 2014 Is Japan back? Richard SamuelsThe National Interest The title of this article evokes a 2012 campaign promise by Prime Minister Abe Shinzō who declared that he would “take back Japan”. Since his election and the triumphant return of the Liberal Democratic Party, the idea that “Japan is back” has become a standard part of discussion about Japan. But the campaign promise and the discussion it engendered beg two important questions: First, where did Japan go? And, second, which Japan are we talking about?
	Analysis + Opinion May 16, 2014 India's new leader faces old scars Priyanka BorpujariBoston Globe Friday morning, 2,500 kilograms of ladoo, an Indian sweet, were being unpacked at the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Indian Peoples’ Party. By late afternoon, it was clear that the party’s poster boy—63-year-old Narendra Modi—would become India’s 14th Prime Minister.
	News@E40 May 15, 2014 CIS awards 16 summer study grants The Center is pleased to announce the recipients of its summer study grants. The grants have been awarded to 16 doctoral students in international affairs at MIT. Each will receive up to $3,000 for summer studies, which may be used for fieldwork, archival research, or home-based research and write-up.
	Analysis + Opinion May 12, 2014 Ukraine: part of America's 'vital interests'? Barry R. PosenThe National Interest Though the intensity of Western discourse about Ukraine might lead one to conclude that serious strategic interests are threatened by Russia’s annexation of Crimea and meddling in eastern Ukraine, the United States and even its allies have few interests in Ukraine, and our past and present policies are at odds with the interests we have.
	précis May 1, 2014 précis Interview: Regina Bateson, assistant professor of political science, MIT Regina Bateson, assistant professor of political science at MIT, discusses civil war, crime, and Latin American politics. She also explains how she is helping students incorporate qualitative methods in their research and how fieldwork has informed her work.
	précis May 1, 2014 Making in America: from innovation to market By Suzanne Berger Over the past decade, as close to 6 million manufacturing jobs disappeared, pessimism about the future of production swept across America. The brightest corporate superstars...were locating production abroad and still reaping...profits within America. Was this the model for the future?
	précis May 1, 2014 Selective leviathans: explaining state strategies of counterinsurgency and consolidation By Sameer Lalwani Why do states choose brutal or minimalist strategies to fight rebellion despite persistent or repeated failure? Understanding the strategic logic of these incumbents in civil war...is essential for policymakers to anticipate states' destabilizing strategies, stem spillovers, and restructure incentives to mitigate violence.
	précis May 1, 2014 Briefings In major extension of MIT nuclear policy studies, Gavin begins work as first Frank Stanton chair; The Center hosted a Starr Forum "What's Next for Ukraine" on March 14; 3 Questions: John Tirman on the warming US–Iran relationship; The Center has selected Ranil Wickremesinghe, a former prime minister of Sri Lanka, as a Robert E. Wilhelm fellow.
	précis May 1, 2014 Activities April Julich Perez, associate director of MISTI has been honored for her leadership with a 2014 MIT Excellence Award for Bringing Out the Best; The U.S.–Iran Project has produced a second book, U.S.–Iran Misperceptions: A Dialogue, published in February by Bloombury Press; Two CIS staff members have been awarded Infinite Mile awards for 2014; The Emile Bustani Middle East Seminar hosted two talks.