Samantha Power

I just watched this great interview with Barack Obama's (former) foreign policy adviser, Samantha Power. In the first part of the interview she talks about Obama's ideas for a new approach to foreign policy (which she helped to foster). In the second part of the interview she talks about Sergio de Mello, a top UN diplomat on human rights who was killed in Iraq in 2003. It is a great interview because it covers many areas in international relations, and also focuses on the role of the UN.

The Folly of Attacking Iran

I once heard N.T. Wright say that every generation has a story, a context that defines our present circumstances. The problem is that many of us do not know our story, because we do not know the history that led to our existence. Worse, we do not know the stories of those around us, yet we seek to judge them.

This video, by some academics trying to head off war with Iran, reveals some parts of that story that need to be part of the current political discourse.

(hat tip pk)



Robert Naiman wonders how American policy would be different if everyone knew this history, and points out that Barack Obama supports real diplomacy (no preconditions) with Iran.