Inside MENTAL HEALTH and POVERTY Pg 4 CRITIQUES OF

inside MENTAL HEALTH AND POVERTY pg 4 PPR CRITIQUES OF THE BDS MOVEMENT pg 14 INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR IAN LUSTICK pg 21 Penn Political Review

Winter 2014

[Insert bias here] Volume XI Issue 2 PPR Penn Political Review table of contents letter from the editor National D!"# R!"$!#, 4 MENTAL HEALTH AND POVERTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Middle East has been called the crossroads of the strong emotions involved with complex issues, we are just by Nadia Tareen Arynne Wexler world. Once believed to be the physical center of the earth, able to scratch the surface. MANAGING EDITOR this area of land is still the focal point for much of the Since this is my final issue as Editor-in-Chief of PPR, I Daniel Levinson 6 THE SUPREME COURT’S COMPLICATED world’s conflict. would like to leave you with two thoughts. The first is that EDITOR-AT-LARGE RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIAL ISSUES It is no surprise that a region that is a mosaic of diverse politics is truly everywhere. We have shown you how politics Brian Goldman by Jordan Rosman cultures and multiple narratives has become an increasingly is in everything from sex to sports, and I hope you will LAYOUT AND ART EDITOR polarized subject. However, the media have disappointingly continue to be aware of its impact on your lives. The second David Spivak Global drawn simplistic caricatures of the complicated reality of is that I urge you to always question what you read and hear. ONLINE EDITOR 8 HOUSES OF CARDS: THE POLITICS OF WEST the Middle East today. News outlets with their own biases Whatever opinion you form and position you take, ensure Robert Levinson BANK SETTLEMENT generate stories with titles that are misleading, publish that it is researched honestly and thoroughly. We are the INTERVIEW EDITOR by Ezra Kurtz articles that omit important details, and sometimes even generation with unprecedented communication technology Anthony Cruz differ on quantitative data. In a time when our opinions are – words move so fast across our screens that they have lost BUSINESS MANAGER 10 LEADERSHIP IN THE CURRENT CRISIS: UNFUL- able to move so freely throughout the world, it still seems their value. We should challenge ourselves to place more Zac Krowitz FILLED PROMISES AND INCONGRUOUS DEALS that we are losing the ability to listen and maintain an open thought into our words and care how they might influence MARKETING MANAGER dialogue. world events. by Alexandra Friedman Tony Young This conflict is also active on our college campus. Student OPERATIONS MANAGER groups on opposite sides of an issue hang banners across Andrew Klimaszewki 12 DILMA’S REELECTION: CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION? from each other on Locust Walk; speakers with unpopular SENIOR EDITORS by Nicole Martinez positions are protested and shouted down in auditoriums; Christopher Hua | Robert Levinson and editorials in our school newspaper and on social media Arynne STAFF EDITORS 16 GOODBYE KARZAI: THE FUTURE OF AFGHANISTAN bring the conflict directly to us. College campuses across Nicholas Buchta | Jordan Dannenberg | Gabe by Justin Kelly the country have become their own battlegrounds, most A#%&&! W!'(!# Delaney | Benjamin Fogel | Claire Greenberg particularly with respect to the legitimacy of Israel. As a PPR E$)*+#-)&-C,)!- Shams Haidari | Brian Liu | Carly Roman Feature non-partisan magazine, we always aim to publish articles STAFF WRITERS 14 CRITIQUES OF THE BDS MOVEMENT and interviews from a variety of viewpoints. With such Anthony Cruz | Jordan Rosman | Gregory Segal by Alon Krifcher Nadia Tareen STRATEGY COMMITTEE Charles Cato | Carly Gurick | Alexandra Guttman Interview Trudel Pare | Elizabeth Peng | Akshat Shekhar 18 GOVERNOR LINCOLN CHAFEE Matthew Solowey | Isabelle Spiridigliozzi | Sarah Governor of Rhode Island Winton LAYOUT AND ART STAFF 21 IAN LUSTICK Political Science Professor at the University of INTERVIEW STAFF Pennsylvania Jacob Gardenswartz | Claire Lisker | Luis Ferre Anuj Amin | Sam Ruddy | Jonathan Haskin 22 CLIFFORD MAY BUSINESS STAFF President of Foundation for Defense of Brian Liu | Harrison Newman | Samanthan Rahmin ONLINE EDITING STAFF Democracies Christopher Hua | Jordan Dannenberg | Tuyet-Van 26 PRESIDENT CARLOS MESA Huynh | Andrew Klimaszewski | Gregory Olberding President of Bolivia Nicole Peinado | Carly Roman | Jonathan Stahl Tony Young SOAPBOX BLOG HONORARY BOARD OF ADVISORS Amy Cass | Rutendo Chigora | Jenny Godman JOHN BRIDGELAND Eric Kaplan | Rafal Kraweic | Gregory Olberding FORMER DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE Brandon Slotkin DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL COVER ART JOSEPH A. CALIFANO, JR. Richard Lee FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE CONNIE MORELLA FORMER U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN (MD-08) NATIONAL NATIONAL

n the wake of recent tragic events at Penn, the issues surrounding mental “Providing mental health support to Ihealth have become frequently discussed topics on campus. Ask any Penn student what factors contribute to mental people at every socioeconomic level is health problems, and they may mention genetic predisposition, the high pressures a critical step for movement closer to of a competitive academic atmosphere, or many another possible explanations. a world in which everyone has equal Now, ask them to identify the key issues that exacerbate poverty within the United opportunities.” States. Few people are likely to associate mental health with poverty, but evidence shows that common mental disorders are Although the evidence indicates that On a local level, community twice as frequent for the poor compared there is a link between mental health and STORY BY NADIA TAREEN to the wealthy. Socioeconomic status and socioeconomic status, this issue is typically sessions and job training for those who mental illness are in fact interlinked in a not top of mind when discussing potential already experience symptoms of mental devastating cycle. People living in poverty solutions to eradicate poverty. Increased illness. Expanding counseling programs in are at higher risk of developing mental awareness of this connection can show schools in low-income neighborhoods can health problems; those facing these issues policymakers the long-term value of mitigate symptoms before mental health investing in mental health care. The esteemed and are thus more likely to remain in medical journal, The Lancet, conducted a the job market. On a larger scale, the US poverty. Increasing investment in mental government and public health agencies health care is a critical but little understood tested how economic programs focused should recognize the need for more solution with the potential to uplift countless accessible treatment options. Currently, individuals out of poverty. conditions. Unconditional cash transfers 89.3 million Americans live in regions Illness, of course, does not discriminate that have been designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas as compared However, the realities of life in low-income praised micro-credit programs were even communities lead to a cycle that exacerbates who reside in primary care shortage areas. mental health issues for the poor. Exposure repayment increasing stress levels). In the to more violence and psychologically second part of the experiment, researchers another priority, given current insurance traumatic events in impoverished introduced interventions designed to restrictions on coverage for mental health communities leads to higher incidences of provide psychiatric support, which services. Research from the Kaiser Family depression, anxiety, and PTSD as compared included individual and group therapy, to wealthier areas. A study conducted community rehabilitation programs, and those not receiving mental health care here in Philadelphia found that rates of indicate high costs as the primary obstacle. depression and anxiety skyrocketed among resulted in improved economic outcomes in low-income children who had witnessed all studies. They even led to a positive cycle said, “Talent is universal, opportunity is not.” violence. Among seven-year-olds who had of individuals’ mental health symptoms Considering this, providing mental health heard gun shots, seen drug deals, or seen a lessening as economic status improved. support to people at every socioeconomic dead body outside, 61 percent worried some Increasing mental health care access for level is a critical step for movement closer or a lot of the time that they might get killed low-income communities should be a top to a world in which everyone has equal or die, and 19 percent expressed that they priority for national public health initiatives. opportunities. Mental health issues sometimes wished they were dead. are not easy to talk about and are often The challenges that the poor face later in about mental illness across the nation. In misunderstood, but this is a discussion we life further contribute to a higher incidence a 2007 study from the journal Psychiatric need to have if we ever want to achieve a of mental illness. Limited access to basic Services, 66 percent of respondents who comprehensive solution to poverty. necessities and stressful, unrewarding jobs were not receiving treatment for their mental contribute to the causal relationship between illnesses explained why they chose not to go Nadia Tareen hails from Bryn Mawr, PA and income level and emotional disturbance. In to the doctor: “I wanted to solve the problem is a senior in The Huntsman Program studying turn, because of lower productivity levels on my own.” Public media campaigns can International Studies, Spanish, and OPIM. On and social stigma, the mentally ill are less help change attitudes and facilitate a much- able to retain employment. If they are even needed dialogue about mental health, Social Impact Consulting and is on the board for which has traditionally been the target of a the Cipactli Latino Honors Society. Nadia is also may be forced to allot more of their already- stigma that further discourages people from an avid fan of the Colbert Report and loves to meager budgets to healthcare. getting the treatment they need. travel - she visited 9 countries this summer.

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hen one thinks about ‘social prevent federal courts from nullifying adhering to constitutional law. Essentially, issues’, two political topics state marriage laws. One might also have the Court rapidly accelerated an existing Wreadily come to mind: gay expected that those on the left would have social trend — only the Supreme Court marriage and abortion. Accordingly, many been disheartened by the Court’s refusal had reached a consensus, not the country. of the clashes between pro-life and pro- to declare a constitutional right to same- Likewise, Justice Ginsburg is often quoted choice camps and those between same-sex sex marriage. On the contrary, liberals marriage advocates and opponents have applauded the decision for taking the “too far, too fast.” been staged on the same battleground: the country one step closer towards marriage As a result, those on the right were federal court system. equality. Likewise, the current Court has infuriated by judicial interference in The Supreme Court’s Such a reality is unsurprising, turned down appeals on a constitutional the legislative process and began their considering gay marriage and abortion right to marriage and dodged this question campaign to push back against the abortion evoke strong emotions and concern in the 2010 case Hollingsworth v. Perry and rights movement. 1980 is often called the profound constitutional questions. Today, has yet to rule on this issue. Year of the Religious Right, as evangelical Complicated Relationship the gay-marriage movement closely Christians played a central role in that year’s resembles the abortion-rights activism of 1971 accepted to hear one of the most elections. About one year later, President of the 1960’s. The late 1960’s and early notorious and divisive cases of the Reagan, whose presidential nomination 1970’s saw the removal of many state past century: Roe v. Wade. In actively was supported by many Christian leaders, restrictions on abortion. Like current overturning dozens of state laws banning began his initiative to place restrictions on trends supporting same-sex marriage, the abortion rights. All of President Reagan’s with right to abortion access, the Court sparked nominees to the Supreme Court, namely Social Issues favoring the pro-choice camp. The nation Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Robert then and now, however, certainly had not and has not reached a consensus. About a framework for legalizing abortion: no state committed to rolling back Roe v. Wade to some extent. On the other hand, today’s STORY BY JORDAN ROSMAN should be legal in all circumstances, while and restrictions in the second must religious right has been relatively quite promote the health of the mother. Justice amidst the widespread legalization of same- to a few scenarios. Today, about half of sex marriage. all Americans favor the legalization of is often remembered for its castigation Contemporary social attitudes toward same-sex marriage. The wide breadth of of state laws prohibiting abortions. The abortion have barely budged since the religious and cultural attitudes toward opinion makes many interesting and quite Roe decision. In fact, only about 2% more abortion and marriage may make the eccentric arguments advocating against the Americans believe that abortion should adoption of a consensus on either issue be illegal in all circumstances. Likewise, nearly impossible. Of course, such cases pointed out, for example, that ancient numerous states have placed burdensome often reach the docket of the Supreme restrictions on a women’s access to abortion. Court and attract national attention. When protection to unborn babies. Essentially, At the federal level, the Supreme Court has faced with such bitter issues however, the the Court unilaterally asserted that the heard more than thirty cases pertaining to Supreme Court must assume a cautious rights of pregnant women superseded the abortion. In stark contrast, support for gay role. In fact, judicial prudence, rather than rights of unborn babies. In doing so, the marriage has more than doubled since 1996. judicial zealotry, can serve to promote the court struck down close to thirty abortion Only several years after the landmark interests of the pro-choice and same-sex laws across the country. case U.S. v. Windsor, in which the Defense of marriage movements. Today’s Court delivered a real victory Marriage of Act was ruled unconstitutional, This past October, the Roberts Supreme to the same-sex marriage movement the Roberts Court has felt increasing by assuming a prudent and cautious right to same-sex marriage. With the nation a constitutional right to gay marriage. contentious cases. Was Roe v. Wade a victory in the middle of an evolution on a profound As a result, Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, as well? The answer is an emphatic “no.” The social issue, it might be tempting to stage Wisconsin, and Indiana will join the Court’s opinion invigorated the rise of a new a dramatic climax in which the Supreme growing list of now thirty states that allow religious right, dedicated to turning back the Roe framework. Opponents were infuriated sex marriage. Such a decision, however, states are traditionally bastions of red- both by the Court’s activist opinion and lack would only repeat the mistakes of Roe. conservatism. One might have expected that of constitutional grounding. Legal scholars such a decision would have caused uproar from across the political spectrum, such as Jordan Rosman is a sophomore in The College among social conservatives or would have Alan Dershowitz and Cass Sunstein, have of Arts & Sciences studying Political Science. disheartened liberals. In reality, however, expressed similar disappointment with He previously served on the Executive Board of the only hardheaded response came from the decision. Professor John Hart Ely, one the Penn College Republicans. He is from Long Island and is involved in Sound Politicks, Hillel, a constitutional amendment that would 21st century, criticized the decision for not and TEP.

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demographics. Racial and religious parties, settlement is framed in Israeli political However, two events precipitated a change. discourse encourages its growth. When Firstly, Israel unilaterally disengaged from or the ultra-Orthodox parties, are focused the issue arises domestically, and it does on providing preferential welfare treatment so relatively infrequently compared to the evacuation of all Israeli citizens in to their voters. Never before has a group or the international attention it receives, it HOUSES the Strip. Then three years later, Prime a political party been organized on regional is usually discussed within the context of lines. national security. Whenever confronted reaching deal to the Palestinians that Enter the Jewish Home party. In the 2013 with calls to slow growth in the West would have dismantled some settlements elections, it drew incredible support from politicians claim that control of the West casting almost 90% of their votes for OF CARDS the settler population, which realized that the party. Moreover, many of the Jewish After all, Israelis rightfully remain skeptical support for their favored policies of Israeli Home voters who lived outside the West after withdrawal from Southern Lebanon THE POLITICS OF WEST BANK SETTLEMENT expansionism did not run quite as deep as and Gaza facilitated the emergence of they had hoped within moderate and right- unabashed support for continued West terrorist enclaves. leaning political parties. In response, they Of course, what this fails to address is the distinction between civilian settlement traditionally pro-settler parties in the past that draws its support from and advances the agenda of a particular region of the of the territory. To change this dynamic, of the Jewish Home party for the 2013 country. the political and thought leaders who parliamentary elections. The consequences of this shift are not are against civilian settlements need to clarify that settlement withdrawal is not Netanyahu happily brought the Jewish seem evident. Unlike the rest of the country, synonymous with military withdrawal and Home into his coalition since its leader, the Israeli budget for development of the reframe the debate around the economic, moral and international implications of sovereignty over the territory remains settlement construction. Until that happens, for power on the domestic front. The Jewish disputed. In the past this has allowed for settlements will remain a national security Home has capitalized on this arrangement Prime Ministers to obscure details about issue that is owned by the political “hawks.” by controlling economic and housing depressed settlement growth. However, A majority of the Israeli public portfolios in the Knesset. The housing with a party in the government dedicated understands the harm that settlement portfolio has proven particularly important, as this ministry has been used to expand in the future such maneuvers are likely to have greater political consequences. This zeitgeist when he recently mused: “We’re to negotiate with the Palestinians. Since on a steep slope toward an increasingly over 90% of Israel’s land is controlled by region will also likely come at the expense polarized society and moral decline, due to the government, housing development has of ideological parties, such as Yesh Atid the need to keep millions of people under become an issue of political contestation in or Likud, who need to improve economic occupation on claims that are presented as which dedicated interest groups can have conditions throughout the entire country to security-related. I have no doubt that the enormous sway. While in the past, right- retain their electoral power. Prime Minister seeks Israel’s welfare, but I STORY BY EZRA KURTZ wing politicians such as Netanyahu have Additionally, the consolidation of a been able to begrudgingly freeze settlement voting block on regional lines increases blindness that drives him to scare himself settlement in the territory. However, in has a parliamentary government in which building, even such modest steps seem the likelihood that a settler’s party will and us.” does not have widespread domestic contemporary Israel, a gap has emerged dozens of parties compete for seats. The unlikely to happen in the future with the be a part of future governing coalitions. In truth, it is not political blindness I between public opinion, which is largely fragmentation of political power has After all, in a country as diverse as Israel, that is driving Netanyahu, but political of Israelis believe that the settlements are a against settlement expansion, and the ensured that no party in Israel’s history settlers interests. parties organized along racial or ideological expedience. Without fundamental shifts in strategic liability and divert funding from government’s actions, which have directly has ever won enough seats to be able to Another peculiarity of the Israeli lines come and go as demographics and the Israeli electoral system or the rhetoric popular social programs. Nonetheless, supported unprecedented growth in the form a coalition on its own. Accordingly, political system is that there is no regional attitudes change. However, a party based the Israeli government continues its the largest political party will engage in representation in the Knesset. Every citizen considerations will continue to be a major undoubtedly a host of social, economic political horse-trading to bring other casts its vote for a particular party in a cohesiveness as long as the region believes factor driving settlement growth in the constantly vocalizes its strong support for and religious factors are at play, there are parties on board to form a coalition. This national election, and then Knesset seats it is embattled, unique and deserving of foreseeable future. increased building. has traditionally favored disciplined are determined proportionally by the total better treatment. The Jewish Home seems Considering the complicated history of Israeli political dynamics that are parties who are willing to join the vote throughout the country. Accordingly, well situated to capitalize on the settlers’ Ezra Kurtz is a sophomore studying Political facilitating this divide. government in order to protect their core Israeli political parties have traditionally Science and History in The College of Arts & of territories that Israel captured in 1967 interests at the expense of the rest of their been built on ideological, racial or religious Sciences. He grew up in Hollywood, Florida, of the Israeli population, the Israeli electoral platform. lines. Ideological parties, such as today’s force to be reckoned with as long as that and spent a gap year in the settlement of Alon contentious, this article will not attempt political system is constructed in such a Labor or Likud, usually have a national core identity remains. Shvut. He is a member of the Penn Political time taking advantage of this political bent and draw support across many Coalition and J Street UPenn.

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LEADERSHIP IN THE CURRENT CRISIS: UNFULFILLED PROMISES AND INCONGRUOUS IDEALS

STORY BY ALEXANDRA FRIEDMAN

he failure of progress in the people will accept nothing less than what Rather than remind their people of the happy — namely Yesh Atid, led by Yair survival. Israel had this in former Prime Israeli-Palestinian peace process is promises not only to maintain existing Abbas continues to promise them. compromises that must be made, they Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Tinextricably intertwined with the settlements, but also that he will continue Liberman, and the Jewish Home, led by Sharon, however neither was able to failure of Israeli and Palestinian leaders to build them. President of the Palestinian that in order for a Palestinian state to since neither six million Israelis nor to, well, lead. Authority Mahmoud Abbas promises that be established, which he has openly four million Palestinians are going to his prime ministership. The establishment of a Palestinian supported in the past, settlements will somehow disappear, the promises being The tensions growing in East Jerusalem state is, as stated by journalist David Clinton nearly negotiated a successful return,” telling them: “The choice is yours. have to be dismantled. Yet throughout made and the realities are incongruous. have been accompanied by Netanyahu’s Samuels, “a dream that refuses to die yet peace treaty between Israelis and You want to return? You will return.” his tenure as Prime Minister, he has To admit to these realities, however, promise to continue building settlements resists being born.” Abbas and Netanyahu Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud The problem with these promises is continued to build them, pandering to his would be political suicide for Abbas and — a threat that appeases members know what it takes to achieve peace — right-wing political coalition. Netanyahu. of his coalition, while concurrently and that such peace is dependent on the Abbas knows that the “right of return” In order for peace to be realized, and for For Abbas, it’s the “Arab Street” that he inciting Arab residents of that section ever-elusive concept of compromise. It Gaza Strip, the dismantling of Israeli is an unachievable objective. He knows Israel to maintain its Jewish majority, the has to please. In the past, his policies were of Jerusalem and inviting international seems, however, that leaders of neither settlements, and the establishment a that the only possibility for Palestinian Palestinians must have land in the West widely perceived as being too moderate criticism. In response to recent terror the Israeli nor Palestinian camps Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. statehood exists in Gaza and the West — thus, and particularly recently, he has attacks, Netanyahu has also continued the have prepared their people for what a Despite these concessions, however, taken steps that have made him more policy of the destruction of Palestinian genuine, lasting peace agreement will Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat condition to which Israel could never led by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, popular among the general populace — terrorists’ homes, a policy that pleases his require, choosing instead to add fuel to rejected the deal. Palestinian leadership agree. It is an existential threat to Israel. It Israelis would be displaced. Justice coalition members, despite the fact that its rejected a similar deal in 2008. would mean the death of the Jewish state. Minister Tzipi Livni, a more realistic In a September 2014 speech at the UN, to terms with the reality of the situation. Great change requires nothing short of His refusal to publicly acknowledge this leader among Israelis, has publicly Abbas blatantly accused Israel of “a new is up for debate. As new Israeli President Revuen Rivlin great leadership. For the Israelis and the fact, however, hinders any real progress recognized that it will not be possible to war of genocide” against the Palestinians, Netanyahu, the longest-serving Israeli recently put it: “It’s a dialogue among towards a solution. maintain the isolated settlements in the inciting anger from the United States deaf people and it’s getting more and is the essential piece of the puzzle missing And he couldn’t change his position and alienating Israel to an even further more serious.” in the increasingly unstable peace process. now — even if he wanted to. The right point from peace. Recently, Abbas vowed Israel, seems to value maintaining his To call it a peace process even seems to of return was never a reality, but as with change his position. He has come too far to bring an end to what he called the political power more than a genuine be a stretch — for decades, Israeli and anything, if you say it enough times, it in assuring members of his coalition, who Jewish “contamination” of the Temple attempt at peace. Alexandra Friedman is a senior in The College Palestinian leaders have made little becomes one. His people have become would desert him if he were to change his Mount. And amid increasing violence in of Arts & Sciences majoring in American progress on a resolution, coming close, committed to this position. mind, of the continuation of settlement Jerusalem, these statements do nothing undoubtedly requires new leadership. History and minoring in Political Science, but never identifying those elements of an building. He has made this ideal a reality, more than incite violence directed at Peace will require leaders like Winston from Marietta, GA. I am a co-director of the agreement acceptable to both sides. be able to “return to their homes,” Abbas merely by repeating his commitment to it. Israeli citizens. Churchill: bold policy makers who value UCHC soup kitchen, and have been involved On both sides, promises are made that is guaranteeing that the peace process For Abbas and Netanyahu, this For Netanyahu, it’s the members their people and making the tough with the DP, 34th Street, Club Water Polo, pander to extremists’ demands: Israeli will fail; rather than strive for peace, his has become an all-or-nothing game. of his coalition that he has to keep decisions more than their own political and Kite and Key in my four years at Penn.

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common to be coincidence. Furthermore, over 19 billion USD in one year, left although the government framed the many companies near bankruptcy and fact federalized by Lula’s predecessor, DILMA’S hosting of the Cup as an opportunity to invest in necessary infrastructure investment currently constitutes only 18% Aecio’s party). projects, this was simply not what ended This does not necessarily mean up happening. Instead, excessive and that Aecio would have been the right REELECTION: accusations of corruption and neglect of candidate. Despite making tremendous event. The Manus Stadium, for example, citizen needs — which ultimately led to advances in his home state’s education and cost 294 million USD to construct; yet, it the riots of this past summer — Dilma health systems, his public image, ranging is rendered largely useless, due to it being was seen as superior to other candidates. somewhere between Mitt Romney’s CAUSE FOR entirely inaccessible via public transport. Candidate Eduardo Campos, a formidable and Charlie Sheen’s, would likely have In regards to other large infrastructure opponent said to have the potential to projects, such as the railroad system, support to make positive changes outside a plane crash on his way to a rally, leaving CELEBRATION? across the board, particularly in respect to Marina da Silva as his successor. Worker’s Altogether, what is apparent is that nations of comparable size and quality. Party propaganda aggressively targeted Marina and sunk her down to only 21% attributed to resigned voters who believed they didn’t have another realistic option. end, due to a last minute rise in popularity, Dilma has promised that throughout this despite airports reaching near full it was Senator Aecio Neves who ran against second term she will be more receptive to capacity, only 60% of the approved budget criticisms and introduce positive changes. is used to execute investment projects, The Worker’s Party once again stepped Hopefully, the narrow victory will inspire clearly demonstrating that the problem is up and proclaimed that if Aecio were her to follow through on these promises. poor planning and execution. Nicole Martinez is a junior in The Warton Overall, private investment in This program is the largest conditional School concentrating in Business and Public infrastructure is lacking, due to excessive cash transfer program in the world, Policy as well as Legal Studies and Business red tape, high capital requirements, long- Ethics. She was born and raised in Miami, term paybacks, and the government’s million people, in 2011. While campaign Florida. On campus, she is the Finance inability to design projects with higher propaganda repeated this message, Chair for the Latino Coalition, a Co-Vice STORY BY NICOLE MARTINEZ expected returns. One can also not portraying Aecio’s victory as a sentence to President for the Wharton Business and Law overlook how Dilma’s approach to poverty, it was completely false. Moreover, Association, and a co-Chair for the World encourage power utility companies to although often attributed to President Bank Committee at the Ivy League Model slash energy bills has cost the industry United Nations Conference.

s I watched the presidential at the Fundacao de Getulio Vargas, I of these events, the nationalized energy elections on TV, I was struck have seen professors meet exchange corporation that was supposed to be Aby how close the votes were. students’ eagerness to learn of business transformative for the nation now had to face plummeting stock prices and rapidly state were tallied, the results remained mocking skepticism. While the leaps growing debts. Moreover, the company’s inconclusive. Finally, it was determined mismanagement led Petrobras’s debt to decades are undeniable — a 12% decrease rise over $170 billion, which according to elected over opponent Senator Aecio traded oil company. On top of that, Neves of Minas Gerais. Despite her victory, shortly after Dilma’s re-elections, Moody’s is perceived as unsustainable without downgraded Petrobras to two levels above of July that there existed overwhelming fundamental changes in governance, speculative debt. criticism of Dilma’s government, and irrespective of party ideology. Similarly, throughout my time here it rightly so. So how did Dilma go from a One change is in regards to the depths has become apparent that preparation for 30% approval rating to being declared the of corruption. Only a month ago, the the World Cup was marked with rampant victor — albeit marginally — of the 2014 reputation of the Worker’s Party was corruption. Recurring accounts of elections? tainted once again by accusations from purposeful prolonging of projects, as well Over the past few years, the hype that Petrobras executive Paulo Roberto Costa, who implicated over 40 politicians in a group has faded. As an exchange student money-laundering scheme. As a result

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Critiques of the BDS Movement

STORY BY ALON KRIFCHER

ethical campaign that genuinely stood even their own lives. Israel is the only who are going to lose their jobs because student at Temple University was called support for Israel as strong as it has ever Sanctions Movement for country in the Middle East to have a anti-Semitic slurs after approaching a been. T Freedom Justice and Equality deeper, you are able to uncover the true democratically elected government. the rights of Palestinians, how can they group of students representing Students These are not instances of rational sounds like an organization with noble Many members of Israel’s government celebrate this? for Justice in Palestine, an organization goals. A cursory read of their website Two specific points reveal the are Christians and, yes, even Muslims. attempting to change the policies of highlights words and phrases like Women in Israel have equal rights to irrational, ineffective, and hypocritical The Anti Defamation League the Israeli government. These are not “people of conscience,” “rights-based calls for the boycott of Israel and those of males. And it boasts one of movement. So where do its motivations reports that anti-Israel activity has efforts on their behalf to highlight the approach,” and “accountability.” The companies that associate themselves actually lie? I assert that the answer is doubled this school year on college struggle of Palestinians in Gaza and the movement attempts to apply pressure with Israel because of human rights in the world. What do you think anti-Semitism. campuses as compared to last year. Ever to Israel to end the so-called occupation violations that they supposedly women’s rights are like, or the freedom Just a few weeks ago, a pig head was increasingly, this activity crosses the These are blatant actions of anti- of Palestine, grant increased rights to perpetrate. They claim that Israel is found in a Kosher aisle of a grocery line from anti-Israel to anti-Semitic. Semitism, with no rational motivation Arab-Israelis, and allow for the return a monster of a country that murders Syria, both significant backers and store in South Africa. Those responsible Common anti-Semitic myths relating innocent civilians in cold blood and claimed it was to remind “people who to Jewish control of government are hide the fact that they want to see the refuses the rights of anyone that isn’t On the other front, you have to will not eat pork to pretend that they end of the Jewish State of Israel, the only on their stated goals, or is it just a are eating clean meat, when it is sold even been comparisons made to Nazi democracy in the Middle East, and the new acceptable veiled form of anti- absurd is not just that this is patently movement is actually even helping by hands dripping with the blood of Germany, with the Jewish star symbol only home to Jews in the world. Their Semitism? false, but also that it blatantly ignores those that they claim they want to help. Palestinian children.” Graffiti has been being equated to a swastika. With these goals of wiping Israel off the face of the The theory of boycotting a country countries that are guilty of human Recently, SodaStream, a company that sprayed on Jewish establishments instances increasing in frequency on map are a direct threat to the existence in order to accomplish certain goals rights violations far worse than they produces consumer soda products, countless times all over Europe, saying college campuses across the country, it is of the Jewish people, and we should not became widely known when it was used even accuse Israel of. One need not look announced that it would be closing things like “Death to Jews” and equating difficult not to worry about an escalation tolerate a movement that cloaks its anti- against South Africa in order to end far to see the 200,000 people murdered Jews to Nazis. Just last March, there in these anti-Semitic sentiments. Semitism in supposed justice. apartheid in the latter half of the 20th in Syria by ISIS, or the heinous crimes supporters rejoiced, claiming real was a failed attempt to boycott Israel The Jewish State of Israel was century. South Africa’s brutal treatment committed in Iran. And yet, you won’t at the University of Michigan, which established after the Holocaust when of its majority black population was a really accomplished? SodaStream was highlighted in the media by hate it was clear to the world that the Jewish Alon Krifcher is a senior from Potomac, horrifying display of inhumane activity Israel’s military is one of the wasn’t hurt; in fact, they are getting speech featuring anti-Semitic language people needed a homeland of their own Maryland studying Systems Engineering. that would never be tolerated today. most moral and ethical in the entire ready to open up a new factory in casually hurled at Jewish students on in order to survive. The current calls He was the President of Penn Hillel in This comparison is at the core of today’s world. Its soldiers and leaders take the Negev, which will employ mostly campus. In September, swastikas were for the end of our State are a legitimate 2014 and sat on the board of the Penn every single precaution possible to spray painted on the AEPi house at threat to the Jewish people around Israel Public Affairs Committee during his many people from diplomats to UN protect the lives of innocent civilians. is supposedly discriminating against. Emory University. And just as New the world. And with the recent attacks freshman and sophomore years. He is an Oftentimes this comes at the expense of The only people that were hurt are in Israel that have killed and injured avid sports fan and can talk to you about itself in the vestiges of a moral and important operations, and sometimes the hundreds of Palestinian workers in Penn’s own neighborhood, a Jewish innocent Israelis, we must keep our consumer tech for days

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the ground. One of my greatest victories, if Karzai’s legacy is one of missed Ghani and Abdullah also must focus on you can call it that, was my contact with the opportunity. In fairness, he left Afghanistan maintaining peace among ethnic groups in GOODBYE, people.” Sadly, you can’t call it that. This in better shape than he found it. Primary their new country. As they attempt to forge ad hoc governance allowed Afghanistan’s education enrollment is at an all-time high. an institutionalized way of governance, few institutions to atrophy and obviously Rights for women have been expanded the new leaders have to keep ethnic KARZAI: did not create new ones. While Karzai’s considerably. The media has enjoyed tensions to a minimum. At present, both personality and informal networks may unprecedented freedom, and the transfer the important Pashtun and Tajik groups have been the most expedient way to of power from his administration to the feel properly represented by the new THE FUTURE OF govern, one of his duties as president was next was actually peaceful. His legacy is, government. Keeping it this way, and thus to make Afghanistan autonomous in its on the whole, negative because he has preventing political grievances, should be government. The leaders should amount left his country without the mechanisms a priority as the government puts formal AFGHANISTAN to interchangeable parts, not the screws to maintain these positive strides or structure where Karzai had his networks that hold the entire machine together. make more of them. As noted, it was his and personality. Karzai was all the screws. personality and questionable governing If Afghanistan’s new leaders accomplish Karzai’s personalized and informal way tactics that helped him move Afghanistan both of these crucial tasks, stronger of governing ensured that the institutions forward. The government itself is feeble. governmental institutions can be left in Afghanistan, if any, would be So then, what must Karzai’s successors, established, and Afghanistan’s government weak. Further complicating the picture of Afghan governance is the voice Karzai prime minister) Abdullah Abdullah, do concomitant instability. In this scenario, in light of the former president’s legacy? Karzai may actually see a revision of his networks instead of institutions to run First and foremost, they must maintain ties legacy. While it would still be true that he the country, Karzai enabled a new class of with the United States. Afghanistan does left Afghanistan without strong national elder villagers who were neither part of the not have stable enough institutions to deal institutions, he would mainly get credit government nor head of any tribe. These with internal security threats completely for positioning the country favorably for elders sometimes had Taliban connections on its own. The U.S., moreover, provides these two new leaders. The international and did not answer to the governors of Afghanistan with critical economic aid their provinces. They allegedly persuaded and military expenditures, which drive Karzai to limit American Special Forces the Afghan economy. Professor Hasan activity, release prisoners, and change Kakar of Kabul University explains that the Justin Kelly is a sophomore in The College local leaders to their liking. The president’s new leaders must capitalize on “wealthy of Arts & Sciences from Somers, NY. He is advisers wanted him to institutionalize western nations…willing to invest in the majoring in Political Science and has tutored this system, thereby subjecting it to public stability and prosperity of Afghanistan.” reading and writing in schools around scrutiny. Unsurprisingly, Karzai neglected Karzai was certainly cordial with the Philadelphia. He also writes a weekly column to do so. In addition to disenfranchising foreign presence in his country, but he did for The Sports Quotient (thesportsquotient. many Afghans, Karzai dabbled in not take full advantage of the opportunity. com), which was co-founded by a Penn alum. corruption. Dabbled, of course, is much too weak of a word. Karzai accepted corruption, STORY BY JUSTIN KELLY further destabilizing Afghanistan’s anemic institutions and fostering distrust in the government among the people. Another legacy can be deemed negative because of president distrusted his directly appointed byproduct of his way of governance, but Hamid Karzai reminded the citizens one prominent failure: the lack of national Iof Afghanistan that their country has democratic institutions in Afghanistan. He balanced their power carefully, while framework, corruption ran rampant changed for the better during his thirteen Karzai was undoubtedly a skillful cutting shortsighted deals to bolster politician. He allegedly preferred informal his own power. Obviously, this sort of Afghanistan consistently polled in rankings arrangements to formal compromises activity did not strengthen Afghanistan’s We were the target of foreign agendas. We hamstrung by red tape. He could bring democratic institutions because Karzai corrupt countries. Habib Qadera, the were homeless in our own country.” While together diverse groups at one table preferred to handle business as an autocrat. former minister of counter-narcotics, Afghanistan has certainly come a long way and facilitate discussion. He had the Karzai even voiced his distaste for believes corruption held Afghanistan since the U.S.-led coalition toppled the personality of a successful statesman and governmental institutions, while also back the most during Karzai’s tenure. “If Taliban regime in 2001, Karzai’s legacy is brokered deals easily. Unfortunately, many attempting to justify it: “The fact on the corruption is dealt with in Afghanistan,” still up for debate — as it has been since of these deals were simply for his own – ground was that the Afghan government he explains, “Afghan people are hard- he stepped down on September 29th. In not the national – interest. In fact, Karzai’s was weak, that it had no capacity, that it had working people and I am certain they will truth, the Karzai administration handed concerns often put the integrity of the few no means of movement, that it could not have a prosperous and bright future ahead Afghanistan a mixed bag of successes and national institutions in Afghanistan second provide the president of the country with of them.” The West hopes for the same failures. On the whole, however, Karzai’s to his own political control. The former the information that related to the facts on thing.

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What inspired you to go into politics?

My Dad was elected to the House of “I think that, in the past, just getting to Representatives when I was three years old, and then Governor, and then know your politicians has cut through Senator—with a couple of losses in between there—but I saw how much he some of the veneer. It gives politicians enjoyed it. I always thought the secret to life was enjoy what you can do to make more accountability and personalizes a living. So it was always in the back of my mind. I went off and did some other it. They know who you are.” things after college, but when I was about 32 I first ran for office. seat, and I had a primary from the with legislation that might benefit your Has your family’s politics influenced your Right. It made no sense; the fellow constituents but not the nation as a whole, own? that was running to my right had zero or vice-versa? How did you handle such chance in Rhode Island, but that didn’t situations? Oh yes, everything about it, from matter. It was to make a point. And I having a thick skin for everything that’s beat him in the primary, but it cost me Certainly there were always political said about you, dealing with losses, the November election. And, after that resiliency… I learned a lot just watching I just said I don’t think I have a future always thought that what’s best for the [my father John Chafee] and his career. here in the things I believe in: in the country was best for Rhode Island, so I environment, in personal liberties… the don’t think those were ever in conflict. What motivated you to make your partisan party was leading the phone tapping, shifts throughout your career? getting us into foreign quagmires. It used to be the old Republican party had As a Republican in Rhode Island, one an aversion to adventures overseas. And [Cheney] had such a large presence in of the most Democratic states in the the using the tools of the government to that administration. And the tax cuts help the less fortunate: the Pell Grant were the first order of business, right of if not the highest percentage for the and some of these other programs were off the bat. They came up with this Democratic candidate in a presidential under attack; build the middle class— massive 1.6 trillion-dollar tax cut, right election), being a part of the loyal those kind of social programs that work. when we had finally gotten surpluses opposition was a challenge and it So those were some of the things that after decades of effort to finally get the was enjoyable to not be a part of the pushed me to leave. I realized that the books to balance. So [my vote against the pendulum is not going to swing the cuts] infuriated my Republicans the party started changing nationally— back to how I feel, to the what I call back home. Here we have a Republican my dad saw it, particularly after the Rockefeller or Eisenhower Republicans. president, tax cuts are very popular, it’s ’94 elections—and a new breed of fire- breathing Republicans from the west and And so then I became an Independent, Interview with mountain and southern states started ran for Governor as an Independent and think I’m vindicated on that. You know, getting elected to Congress. There the middle class is getting squeezed and wasn’t a lot of room for compromise, as an Independent. I thought I needed the affluent are doing better than ever for getting things done. There were a a home somewhere. And I looked at my and these cuts would have helped the Governor Lincoln Chafee lot of ideological purity issues. And my choices from Libertarians to Greens and one percent. That’s the way I felt back dad started to see it, he was chairman ended up deciding I wanted to find my then. They didn’t need it and they didn’t INTERVIEW BY JACOB GARDENSWARTZ of a committee in the Senate, and when home in the Democratic party. So it’s a want it! he wouldn’t vote with the party they’d long way to go from being a Republican threaten to take away his chairmanship, in Rhode Island to being a Democrat. What would you say is unique about and that wasn’t the way it had used to be. And in Rhode Island, they still look Rhode Island politics as compared to the at me with a little bit of, “you’re not rest of the nation? Though Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Davenport Chafee may have been born into a family So this was pre–Tea Party? really a Democrat. I can remember with a great history in politics, his career can be described as anything but typical. After serving you recruiting candidates against the Well, we’re a small state, so it’s very as a Republican Senator from the overwhelmingly liberal state of Rhode Island for six years, Yes, it was the “Gingrich Revolution retail. We see our constituents everyday. he became one of only a few candidates nationwide to ever be elected governor running as an of ’94.” And then when I went to the philosophy… I don’t think. And we see each other, as opponents. Independent. In 2013, he completed his party turnaround and joined the Democratic Party. Senate I certainly saw it. And you’d get To tell a story from the 2000 Senate primaried too! Here I was a Republican While you were serving in the Senate, campaign, I drove my car in to get some in a very blue state holding on to my did you ever find that you were faced gas and there was my opponent gassing 18 | PENN POLITICAL REVIEW | Winter 2014 WInter 2014 | PENN POLITICAL REVIEW | 19 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

in rural Rhode Island that is going Interview with “My dad gave me the best advice. bankrupt—the Central Coventry Fire District—and we’re trying to get their He said, ‘Have something that you union to make concessions so we can get Ian Lustick them out of bankruptcy without going to INTERVIEW BY ANTHONY CRUZ enjoy doing that you can fall back court, thus saving all those lawyer fees. So unions are tough, but I’m going to go back. I’ve already been to about four of Ian Lustick is an American political scientist and specialist on the these negotiations, but I enjoy that. If we make good decisions.” can get that resolved it would just give Heyman Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. me great pleasure. It’s a tiny little thing in the middle of big Rhode Island, but to higher education, tuition was going that’s what I like. What is your take on the 2014 summer was formed in 2014, it is still ridden with up, our cities and towns had deep state rounded up and imprisoned while the poor disagreement and division. In what direction do Rhode Island: you see your Senators cuts so Providence was eligible for state The most frustrating thing as an executive mothers were sent abroad on propaganda you see the unity government heading? and you Congressmen and your Mayors is that you have to deal with these It was both very familiar and very unusual. frequently, they’re not just someone on Pawtucket, Woonsocket, West Warwick, pesky legislative arms of government. On the familiar side: just one more spasm their sons alive. When the mass of arrests led Despite the suspicions and even hatreds between TV. all our core inner cities were bleeding of bloody and destructive violence between to some Palestinian rocket attacks, that was the Hamas and Fatah, the unity government would red ink. So getting the state in the right council, I had one council president, I Israel and Gaza Palestinians. Once again desired pretext for “cutting the grass.” develop in promising ways if Israel would allow Israeli civilian casualties, both before and it to function, including travel between the politics of the state? of that we had a succession of storms. My deal with the Senate president and the You previously wrote in The New York Times speaker of the House and I have to get negligible compared to Palestinian casualties will not do that, in part because one important Yeah, I think that, in the past, just getting people were without power for a week, 114 votes. That’s the system, but it makes and destruction. Once again a war was spiraling tensions of Arabs and Jews within the official argument for not negotiating seriously to know your politicians has cut through and people were throwing everything out everything a little slower because there’s launched by Israel in response to Palestinian State of Israel right now, do you still believe with Abbas is that he does not represent Gaza some of the veneer. It gives politicians of their refrigerators because everything a lot of horse-trading. attacks that themselves were prompted by any form of a one state solution would be viable more accountability and personalizes it. was going bad. And people were angry Israeli actions that were known to be almost and would actually achieve peace? A successful unity government would make the They know who you are. because the economy’s bad and they’re What’s one piece of advice you could share certain to produce a “causus belli.” Once again unwillingness of the Netanyahu government to not working. And then Hurricane Sandy with young people looking to get into Israel fought with no actual plan to move the I never suggested, in that piece or anywhere negotiate seriously with the Palestinians even Does that make it harder to attack you? politics? else, that I endorse the “one state solution.” more obvious than it is. Nemo... So it was a combination of My point was and remains that there is no You know, for some reason, as governor, fatigue and the politics. The Democratic My dad gave me the best advice. He said, and destroy enough Palestinian infrastructure solution right now. I and many others have From your point of view what is the most I’ve taken a lot of spears. So it should Governors Association was starting to “Have something that you enjoy doing to preserve Israeli dominance over the next pretty pictures of futures we would prefer to misunderstood aspect of the Israeli-Arab make it harder to attack you—when that you can fall back on.” It gives you few years and satisfy internal Israeli demands the present situation: some of those pictures everyone knows who you are and they wanted a D.C. candidate, and I think I for “toughness” against the Palestinians. feature two states, some feature one state; some see you in the market or the hardware changed to be a Democrat a little late for Once again world opinion polarized with feature 10 cantons; some feature 2 parallel and store or the gas station—but it’s still a might not be immediately popular, but the US and Canadian governments, and a intertwined states; some feature a federation The single most important misunderstanding million people. worked out because I think I’m handing you know that it is a good vote or a good few others, expressing sympathy for Israel’s among Americans is that “balanced” analysis policies, or at least toleration, while most of the rest of the world’s conviction that Israel has Only when one can describe a plausible equal attention to the “mistakes” of each attacks resonate? it in four years, all the better. and the voters throw me out, I can, in my become a rogue and even vicious state were political path from here to one of those pictures case, go back and work on the horse and strengthened. can one talk about espousing a “solution.” the situation is so unequal and has been for Yes, I would say yes. What is your favorite thing about working racetrack which I did after college and What we have now is one state, not a one so long that although the “truth” may exist in politics, and what have you found to be which I loved. state solution, but a one state outcome. Israel You recently announced that you would most frustrating? and the Palestinians in general were more is the one and only state that exists between not be running for reelection. Why did you So is that what you’re thinking you’re going isolated from Arab and Muslim support than the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. since they are not monolithic), it does not make that decision? The best thing is the satisfaction of to do following your term, head back to the ever before. Polarization within Israel, and At present the issue is how to make that state exist “midway” between them. Imagine if horse races? especially violent and widespread attacks conform to principles of democracy, equality, someone suggested that understanding It was a combination of being a little a community like my city when I was against both Arabs and Jews perceived and mutual, non-exclusive self-determination. fatigued after a long four years. At that mayor, or making decisions in the Senate I’ve thought of it. I don’t know, but I might as “traitors” because of their desire for a Actions in that direction might contribute the south required a balanced and equal point when I made the decision it was or when I was governor, seeing the buy a racehorse, or a couple racehorses. negotiated compromise with the Palestinians, toward a better one state outcome or toward ascription of importance to both black three years in. After I got elected our fruition of making good decisions. Or It’s certainly fun. exceeded by a large margin anything that developments that would lead to a two state accusations of systematic discrimination and most senior living governor, Phil Noel, the state has ever witnessed. Israel has used outcome, or to some other institutional intimidation and white accusations that the he governed in the ’70s, said, “Young pretexts before to launch military campaigns, trouble was all caused by liberal “agitators” Linc Chafee is inheriting a state in it before they become something bad. So but never has the pretext been as transparent arrangements rather than the values these and their “incitement” of blacks. economic shambles.” He said it right. I enjoyed that, I enjoyed the nuts and This interview contains minor edits for and as ruthless. The government withheld arrangements represent is a mistake. bolts. For instance, when I go back today, grammar and clarity. information that the three Jewish teenagers This interview contains minor edits for grammar had been killed so that for weeks hundreds of Although a Palestinian unity government and clarity. 20 | PENN POLITICAL REVIEW | WinterWinter 20142014 WinterWInter 2014 2014 | |PENN PENN POLITICAL POLITICAL REVIEW REVIEW | | 21 21 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

This page is a correction. The previous issue because in all of history, there have been only strong supporter of the surge, and I think the misprinted a page from an earlier interview. a few great men. There was Moses, there was surge also succeeded. I think Al-Qaeda in Iraq Jesus, there was Mohammed, and now there was decimated. have been corrected in this issue. is Khomeini. You are in his glorious presence.” So at the end of the day, the situation in Iraq revolution.” I knew there was something As a political journalist, you traveled all over the was hardly bad. Iraq was at that point relatively world. You even covered the Iranian Revolution. stable. Neither the Shiite Militias nor Al- What was your most interesting experience exactly what it is. Qaeda in Iraq were causing a lot of trouble any abroad? Regarding American foreign policy, longer, and Iraq was more democratic than what insight did you learn from being overseas? So, to answer your second question, whatP. anyCASEY, other country in the Arab JR. Middle East. insight did I learn from being overseas? Well, Not a perfect situation, but not a bad situation. I have many experiences that are memorable. I think I learned two. One is that people I do think in some ways the Iranian Revolution in foreign countries are often not so very What do you think of the current situation in does stand out. If I had to pick out one scene Iraq regarding ISIS? How do you think President Obama has handled it? It was not long after the Shah had left and Ayatollah Khomeini had returned from exile You were an early proponent of the war in Iraq Well, I think President Obama did make in Paris. I was working with a TV crew on a during the Bush administration. What do you indeed a very bad mistake, and I think he was have to say to those who have denounced the war warned against this by many of his advisors. as a failure? He needed to leave at least a residual force in and we went to the holy city of Qom to see the Ayatollah Khomeini. First, I would say our intervention in Iraq was And those troops would have been there to train, to advise, and to serve as honest brokers Now, he wasn’t giving interviews, but we were wise. [U.S.] intelligence, and every important able to stand outside where he was living. It foreign intelligence agency, all were convinced wasn’t a castle, it wasn’t anything luxurious. that Saddam Hussein did indeed have again, and to prevent Al-Qaeda in Iraq from weapons of mass destruction, that he was rising again. And what it eventually did was It’s very dry in Qom. And we were waiting to stockpiling chemical weapons and probably to morph, and become what we know as ISIS see him come out and greet this huge crowd, biological weapons, that he was at least or ISIL, or as they call themselves, the Islamic this throng of people, who wanted to capture planning to develop nuclear weapons again State. The Iraqi Military was not left in a a glimpse of him. He was considered a great and was threatening the U.S., and that he was hero at that time by many inside the country. it could have been if we were still there. And eventually he did come out on the roof. There is a reason why we are still in the He had a long black robe, and a turban, and he was not meeting the obligations that he a white beard and moustache, and as I recall, very prominent dark eyebrows. And he was South Korea more than half a century after not at all like an American politician. He to say, “Now we need to topple him.” the Korean War. There’s a reason why we still wasn’t waving and smiling to the crowd. His have troops in Europe and Japan. The fact visage was very stern, like he was displeased, like a father who didn’t think his children had not it was wise. Now, the initial intervention of wars, you cannot simply walk away and behaved properly. And without changing succeeded in its aim. We toppled Saddam his expression at some points, he just took Hussein, and the U.S. military did that. It was his arms and waved in big wide arcs, and the look as they do today. So, I think it was a bad Interview with people went crazy. They were cheering and was achieved. It was the postwar strategy that mistake to not leave at least a residual force holding babies to be blessed an ululating. turned out to be lacking. I don’t think we had behind, because then the Iranians get to say, The producer I was working with, who was an though out too carefully what we were going “The Americans are gone, and we’re still here. to do after Saddam Hussein had been toppled. We’re going to do it our way.” Especially since sure are lucky.” And I thought, “I’m not sure I think there were a number of choices, and I we had made the decision, which I’m not don’t think the right choices necessarily, were sure was the right decision, but we had made INTERVIEW BY ANTHONY CRUZ AND JONATHAN HASKIN in the best way I could, “Yeah, you’re right.” I made. That said, when the situation got very the decision to dissolve the Iraqi military said to him, “Yeah, I’m still a young guy. I got bad, in particular, when Al-Qaeda in Iraq and and create a new one. You don’t create a new into journalism because I wanted a front row the Shiite militias began to be responsible for a national military that quickly. It takes at least distinguished career in international relations, journalism, communications, and politics. This included covering seat on history. And here I am. Very cool.” And great deal of carnage of Americans, President 20 years to train an American general. It takes stories as a foreign correspondent and editor in more than two dozen countries and serving as the Director of he kind of laughed, and he said “No, that’s more than 20 years, probably, to train an Iraqi Communications for the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001. not what I mean. I meant you’re very lucky became known as the surge. And I was a general.

Well, I do think that Iran is clearly the biggest feels victorious. being “weak” and for not supporting our allies. geopolitical threat to the United States, but Interview with The media most recently slammed the White I think that the regime’s movements and The media were largely manipulated, and I’m House for not standing up to Vladimir Putin or ideologies – which we have begun to call, sorry to say that but it’s clearly true. People standing by Israel. What do you make of these I think accurately, Islamism or Jihadism who were watching on their TV’s did not see assessments? or Pan-Islamism – that represents that greatest threat. This is another iteration of the media that were permitted in Gaza were the totalitarian tendency. And communism not allowed to show it, and the media observe was based on the idea that one class, the those restrictions. When they went to a press INTERVIEW BY the US were less involved, and if the UN and proletariat, must rule. Nazism was based conference with Hamas, and it was in the LUIS A. FERRÉ SADURNÍ other transnational organizations would be on the idea that one race, the Aryan race, basement of a hospital, they didn’t report that. given more responsibility. I think this was an must rule. Islamism is based on the idea So I think the media coverage was biased. assuredly interesting experiment, and I think that one religion, Islam, must rule. This is I’m sorry to say that we were seeing anti- Carlos Mesa served as the 78th now we know the result. With the U.S., things the third iteration in less than a century of Israelism and even anti-Semitism becoming may get worse. Without US leadership, they totalitarianism, and I think it is every bit as increasingly acceptable if not fashionable. inevitably get worse. If you leave a power dangerous to us as the other two. And our And it’s a real challenge for Israel. victories over the others, Nazism, fascism, by nefarious actors. So you do have, among communism, were by no mean inevitable. Final question: You serve as the President of the other things, Vladimir Putin saying that, “I They were hard fought. This war will be a Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Can see no resistance from the U.S. I’m going to do long war, and it is not inevitable that we will you tell us about the work that you do at FDD, what I want to do,” and what he wants to do and what advice do you have for those that are things that are not necessarily nice to his to succeed, we have to be willing to make a want to get involved in foreign policy work? neighbors. He’s a sort of neo-Soviet. He’s not a communist, but he wants to be one of the understand ourselves, and try to understand great Russian leaders. Whether it was a czar why it is valuable that we prevail. for research. It was created after 9/11. We or commissars, they expanded the Russian focus on national and international security. empire, and that’s what he wants to do. Our research is meant to help policy makers and legislatures understand the situation, I think we’re at a point where NATO is being since events this summer. What do you think see it clearly, and know what various very much threatened by Vladimir Putin, of the situation, and do you think the coverage approaches there are. Sometimes we say and I don’t think the President has responded there are approaches or policies we highly recommend, others we don’t recommend, Israel has been attacked by Hamas in Gaza others that may be considered. We really with thousands of missiles, and terrorist just try to help the policy makers and the Tell us a little bit about your early life eral history, and others on reflections date. I probably would not have accept- with Russia was again an experiment. It was to tunnels were being dug into Israel. We know legislatures with what we do. and how you got started with your career. of an essayistic nature. The second ac- ed such invitation from any other poli- say that, “I think the Russians really want to get now that they were meant to allow terrorists tivity is that of cinema. I am a creator of tician. I possessed a deep admiration of along with us, and we have to be a little more to come into Israel from underground, For those who want to be involved in this kind I was born in La Paz and attended the his party, el Movimiento Nacionalista accommodating to them.” I think Vladimir kill as many people as possible, and drag of work: It useful to learn, to study, to travel, to Universidad Complutense de Madrid pictures — founded in 1976 — which is - Putin perceived that not as accommodation men, women and children underground acquire languages, and not to form too many the most important cinema archive of volvement in, among other events, the but as weakness and took advantage of that. into dungeons where they would be held opinions too early if you don’t need to. Absorb the start of the 70’s. I studied Political - hostage. I just don’t think Israel had any as much as you can, learn as much as you can, Science for a couple years but realized vital political and economic reforms of I can’t really see, in terms of foreign policy, any choice but to respond to that. that it wasn’t the career that I most en- cinema. Finally, my journalistic activi- successful policies over the last six years. Not come to us with a lot, wanting to work in think ty: I began practicing journalism in 1979 de Lozada’s first term as president. clearly successful ones, as far as I can point to. tanks, and its helpful if they say, “I’ve got Farsi, literature in the Universidad Mayor de and continued for twenty-five years, up And just as we speak, we’re a few weeks away over the summer, and I think that Israel did I’ve got Arabic, I’m a great fundraiser, I’ve got until I entered politics. With that in mind, I accepted the can- from the January 24th deadline in negotiations a degree in international law, I’ve worked in Andrés) in La Paz. I have a degree in lit- didacy. It was a very difficult candidacy with Iran. I think a good deal with Iran is at were, and I think that once they learned erature. My entrance into politics was not a per- in tough political conditions of a coun- the moment out of the question. I think it has the full extent of the tunnels, they had no how to research” means more than I know sonal decision taken based on desire to try with a weakening party system. We become a bad deal with Iran, which I hope choice but to destroy them. Now, you can how to do a Google search and know what In my life I have participated funda- become involved, nor based on an in- won, but only just, with a plurality of the President will not try to conclude. While say, “Well, they did so much damage.” I’d mentally in three activities. First, activ- terest in dealing directly with politics further negotiations are more likely, I don’t say on the contrary, no military in history skills, get as much good experience as you can, ities of personal intellectuality, geared — though 90 percent of my journalis- one takes into account that, generally, think there is a high probability that they has ever taken the pains that Israel took and take on as much responsibility as you can. primarily, but not exclusively, towards tic work was political in nature as part the votes of a third of the electorate are are going to go anywhere, or lead in, a very to spare noncombatants. You also have history. I have written sixteen books necessary for victory. And so we had an productive direction. Hamas saying they won the war. If Hamas and made many documentaries, mostly extremely complicated presidency and believes they won the war, it seems to be by - an invitation by the presidential candi- government with great difficulties; the In your opinion, who is the biggest geopolitical This interview contains minor edits for grammar ian history. Some documentaries have date Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada to join governing politicians often did so with threat to the United States? have been disproportionate if their enemy and clarity. been on political topics, others on gen- his ticket as the vice presidential candi- myopic convictions. I was not then,

[nor] continue to not be, and never high level of popularity. Soon thereaf- rales’s transition to power? a referendum, through a constitutional the United States had a strong inher- has had no diplomatic relations with have been affiliated with any political ter, I began dedicating myself to aca- amendment in 2004 that made these ency with Latin American countries. Israel since. party. In any case, President Sánchez demic life. I currently teach classes The arrival of an indigenous president constitutional mechanisms possible. There was an inheritance that obvi- de Lozada was forced to resign due to This facilitated President Morales to ously exceeds what is reasonable in re- - a grave political crisis. That political - more than that, indispensably neces- carry forward the political process that lationships between states. It is still felt ment is similar to the alignment coun- crisis developed into a situation of na- munications Department. I am also sary. It could not be possible, for a is currently in motion. I certainly think very strongly in Central America and tries like Russia, China, and Iran have tional convulsion related to the politi- country with a population nearly half that Morales marked a shift towards parts of the Caribbean, but in South taken in support of the Palestinian cal ascension of Evo Morales, the sec- a new democratic logic. However, we America that relationship has changed. cause. In this context, the government ond-place candidate in our victorious History. I have received a couple inter- an indigenous president in almost 200 cannot pretend that there was a com- I think it has changed for the better. of President Morales is on a policy line election. Finally, the president had to national journalism awards and the na- years. Morales came to power, however, plete break between the past and the That is, a relationship in which the U.S. that was opened by President Chavez resign from office. It is within that con- tional award for journalism. I have re- not for being indigenous, not for lead- present, but it is true that the changes has to understand that their role is not in ’98 when Chavez came to power. It text that I assumed the presidency. Dur- sumed my intellectual work and will be ing an indigenous party, but as a leader he has brought forward are important is a line that a small amount of coun- ing my time I put forth measures that I presenting my first novel in Mexico in a of a party that united diverse sectors and significant for his presidency. In tries share as a political left bloc that is considered fundamental and which are few weeks. [Lastly], I am frequently in- of society on the left: the Indians, the running as a candidate for a third term, Morales’s decision to expel the U.S. absolutely against Israel’s position and key to understand subsequent political volved in international activities ambassador, which led there to Israeli policy. events. including conferences, seminars, be no U.S. ambassador in La Paz and various other invitations. Bolivia has declared that it plans to go The first concept that I promoted dur- D.C. since 2008, marks a kind of nuclear and is taking steps towards that. ing my presidency, but has not been Having worked for the government What do you believe to be the implication continued since, is a respect for human from the point of view of a histo- United States. If one understands of this on its domestic and international rights as a fundamental element, a sa- rian and journalist, how did your Morales’s logic, it makes sense. standing? cred value. Establishing such respect attitude regarding politics and the That is, I think this line had to be was especially relevant given the many government change? How did you drawn to stop United States’ in- - deaths from the crisis in October, which see the efficiency of government terference. However, that action livia has a discourse linked to the pro- essentially led to my presidency. Sec- after being involved in an official that marked a before and after for tection of the environment and linked ondly, I pursued a solution for the eco- governmental position? to the Indian tradition of harmony be- today. I mean, today you can have tween humans and nature. This logic of fiscal deficit, a problem of unemploy- Obviously one of the things that a smooth, respectful, and differ- living well, in this context, doesn’t have ment, and an economic recession that one learns is that perspective ent ambassadorial relationship, much consistency with the announce- we were able to revert during the two depends on which side of the and I think it is imperative that ment of nuclear research and enrich- years of my term. Furthermore, I over- desk you are sitting on. From the - ment in a peaceful way. Due to the saw a call for referendum, which re- outside one tends to be much ship with the United States in a little amount of energy consumption sulted in new energy policies including more critical and harsh when different political context. For ex- - the nationalization of hydrocarbons. I analyzing what is done poorly ample, at this moment, I am the try requires nuclear technology. With also called for a constituent assembly or inefficiently by the govern- important sources of great potential in to form and establish a referendum for ment. Viewing from within, you with the maritime issue that we the country such as gas, water, and so- autonomy. Nonetheless, neither was discover that certain bureau- have with Chile, and we need to lar energy, I see no reason for our low completed within my term. cratic mechanisms, complexi- have the knowledge and support energy consuming country to develop ties, slowness and inefficiencies from the international communi- nuclear energy. A series of complex circumstances are beyond the control of a well- ty. The U.S. is a key country for us generated by the political tensions of intentioned governing politician. in this example of our most im- Nuclear energy is part of a very contro- the rightist extreme as well as the left Gaining such perspective taught portant issue in terms of foreign versial movement in the world; there is placed me in a circumstance of great me that one who judges the gov- relations. much debate about whether to harness pressure. I lacked political back-up. ernment, state, or politics, should I did not have a single representative, understand that there are complicated nationalists, the “marchistas”, the anti- a win would make him the longest serv- Speaking of ambassadors, Bolivia re- since I was not an affiliate of the par- aspects that they cannot see. globalization movement, coca growers. moved its ambassador from Israel. What not even remotely close to developing ty that I governed for. As such, I was It was a very plural set of sectors that weakened when I faced the predica- On the other hand, I also realized that gave it very important support. I think controversy? issue of using nuclear energy to gen- ment that if I wanted to remain in the politics has a certain degree of rigidity; I provided, firstly, the possibility of a brings to light an interesting relation- erate electricity for peaceful reasons, presidency I would have to use violence it is implacable. It requires willpower viable, democratic, and peaceful tran- ship that Bolivia has had with the United With the expulsion of the ambassador my impression is that there is no real to maintain order, risking restoring the and a huge vocation of power. Some- sition from the fall of the party system States throughout history. How do you - necessity because of our alternative en- brutality of the preceding years. Thus, times it requires such pragmatism that that made democracy viable in 1982. see U.S.-Bolivia diplomatic relations as livia completely broke relations with ergy resources. I voluntarily resigned from the presi- conflicts with a strong upbringing. The The parties had their merits, but had we move towards the future? Israel. In the U.S.’s case, it did not dency of the republic. vocation of power, the willingness to reached a point of exhaustion. break relations, it expelled the ambas- take action at any price, is one of the The U.S.’s relationship with Latin sador and worsened relationships. In I exited through the large door of the important costs that politics demands. I was not affiliated to a political party American countries has changed sig- - government palace and continued my and that was very important. I paved nificantly in the 21st century for differ- tions almost simultaneously in 2008 This interview contains minor edits for Could you talk a bit about President Mo- the path for a constituent assembly and ent reasons. During the 20th century, grammar and clarity. 26 | PENN POLITICAL REVIEW | Winter 2014 WInter 2014 | PENN POLITICAL REVIEW | 27 PPR Penn Political Review

Winter 2014