Diplomacy

Critical Conversations: Nicholson Discusses Middle East Policy with MBN’s Alberto Fernandez
America Talks to the Middle East an Interview with MBN’s Alberto Fernandez

Providence co-editor Robert Nicholson sat down with Ambassador Alberto Fernandez, president of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). Throughout an extensive conversation, Nicholson posed five questions to Fernandez on topics ranging from Syria to the prospect of democracy in the greater Middle East.

Should Christians Support Deploying Diplomats Instead of Troops?
Should Christians Support Deploying Diplomats Instead of Troops?

American Christians should advocate for exhaustive attempts at diplomacy before endorsing US policies that produce further conflict and chaos.

The “Death” of the European-American Relationship

If Brooks and others who are deeply unnerved by Trump aren’t careful, their warnings of destruction and doom can actually feed the fires of doom and gloom.

trump kim jong un
Reflections on a Handshake (Antesummit)

Was it right for President Trump to meet with Kim Jong Un? Christian reflection insists that politics cannot be separated from ethics. Can peace be separated from justice?

Can We Truly Reason with North Korea? Kim Jong il Nuclear Program Donald Trump Negotiate
Can We Truly Reason with North Korea?

Keeping in mind North Korea’s record of dishonesty, President Trump would do well to keep the arrows of US force close at hand, even as he extends the olive branch of peaceful negotiation.

Advice for Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback
Advice for the Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom

While the work of the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom is vital, the ambassador is most effective when he or she influences the department and US policy as a whole. The combination of ambassador-at-large and religion is thus a difficult one at State, so having someone as politically experienced as Brownback in the role is vital.

Sources and Solutions: Review of Van Dam’s Destroying a Nation: The Civil War in Syria

Destroying a Nation: The Civil War in Syria by Nikolaos van Dam does not give a blow-by-blow account of the war. Instead, it explains underpinning factors which shaped the course of the Syrian Civil War and offers potential solutions to the ongoing conflict.

What You Should Know About the Arms Trade Treaty
What You Should Know About the Arms Trade Treaty

The nations that ratified a global Arms Trade Treaty are gathering for their third annual conference this week in Geneva, Switzerland. Here is what you should know about this treaty on conventional arms.

Nikki Haley Geneva Human RIghts
A Disjointed Approach to Human Rights: Where Is The Strategy?

As President Trump seeks to reel back the role of the US in the world and disengage with multilateral initiatives that don’t fit his strong “America first” ideology, a coherent approach to foreign policy and human rights needs to be reestablished.