News + Media
In the NewsSeptember 15, 2008Q&A with Roger PetersenRoger Petersen, an associate professor of political science at MIT and a member of CIS, studies comparative politics with a special focus on conflict and violence. He has written two books: Resistance and Rebellion: Lessons from Eastern Europe and Understanding Ethnic Violence: Fear, Hatred, Resentment in Twentieth Century Eastern Europe. He also has an interest in comparative methods and has co-edited, with John Bowen, Critical Comparisons in Politics and Culture. In spring 2008, Petersen went on sabbatical to the Balkans for six months. Upon his return, he sat down with CIS to discuss his recent studies. |
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In the NewsSeptember 11, 2008Who's winning the War on Terror?WBUR: On PointWBUR's On Point with Stephen Van Evera. |
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In the NewsSeptember 11, 2008Lucian W. Pye, bold thinker on Asia, is dead at 86Douglas MartinNew York TimesLucian W. Pye, an influential political scientist who marshaled a piercing intellect, psychoanalytic insights and plain intuition to take startling new perspectives on area studies, particularly concerning China and other Asian nations, died on Sept. 5 in Boston. He was 86. |
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AuditSeptember 1, 2008Iran-US: the case for transformationSanam Anderlini and John Tirman, MITThirty years of enmity, disruption, and brinksmanship have yielded very little worthwhile in the relationship between Iran and the United States. The policies in both capitals toward the other are essentially bankrupt and dysfunctional. Each clings to their quiver of grievances against the other, letting the past dictate the future to the detriment of both countries. |
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In the NewsSeptember 1, 2008Q&A with Carl KaysenCarl Kaysen joined the MIT faculty in 1976 and currently co-chairs the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Study Committee on International Security Studies. Among his many posts during his distinctive career was deputy special assistant for national security affairs to President Kennedy. Kaysen sat down with CIS in late July to discuss his current work, his advice to the next administration, and his proudest moments. |
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AuditSeptember 1, 2008Does the “surge” explain Iraq’s improved security?There is a general consensus that the “surge” of additional troops into Iraq has been responsible for the significant decrease of violence in Iraq. Sen. John McCain has long advocated “sustained and substantial” troop increases, attacking Sen. Barack Obama’s position on drawing down forces. Obama for his part recently stated that the surge has “succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated” and “beyond our wildest dreams.” |
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Analysis + OpinionAugust 20, 2008All the oil we needEugene Gholz and Daryl PressNew York TimesWhile oil prices have declined somewhat of late, the volatility of the market and the political and religious unrest in major oil-producing countries has Americans worrying more than ever about energy security. But they have little to fear — contrary to common understanding, there are robust stockpiles of oil around the globe that could see us through any foreseeable calamities on the world market. |
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Analysis + OpinionAugust 15, 2008What counts as 'success' in Iraq?John TirmanBoston GlobeA voluble attempt to describe the Iraq war as a success is widely apparent, and will increase as the Republican National Convention nears. John McCain is staking his campaign on this assertion. There is little doubt that the level of violence in Iraq has subsided noticeably in the last 12 months. But is this “victory”? |
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In the NewsAugust 10, 2008Q&A with M. Taylor FravelSamuel P. JacobsBoston GlobeIn his new book, M. Taylor Fravel offers an intriguing argument about the relationship between instability within China and stability in the rest of the world. |
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News ReleaseAugust 9, 2008CIS scholar garners awards from Guggenheim and CarnegieAshutosh Varshney, a visiting scholar at CIS, was named both a Guggenheim fellow and Carnegie scholar for 2008. Guggenheim fellows are appointed on the basis of outstanding achievement and exceptional promise for continued accomplishment. |