Friday, March 18, 2011

The launch

Yes folks, it is in fact that moment you've been waiting for. As promised, I have created a website dedicated to the art of foreign policy analysis, with an emphasis on national security. While simultaneously filling the role of unemployed college graduate (a bit cliche at this point I know), I prepared what I hope will be a public forum for educated debate. I welcome contributors - if you have an interest in international affairs and want a chance to write, then The Mandell Group is the place for you. Please keep in mind that the website is in its infancy, so the design, content, and capabilities will continue to be refined.

Enjoy!

-CEO, Founder, and Intern of The Mandell Group

www.themandellgroup.com

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Sun Also Rises

The United States’ response to the revolution in Egypt has been understandable but ultimately still lacking. It is important to acknowledge that the Egyptian revolution was entirely an internal affair. The grievances were between a ruler and his people, and the revolution itself was from start to finish, homegrown. It was wise therefore that the United States respect the Egyptian people’s right to self determination. If I recall correctly, Secretary Clinton made a statement to this effect during the protests. The challenge for American- Egyptian relations however starts now. The United States already missed one opportunity to win the goodwill of the Egyptian people during the protests. While intervention was neither necessary nor appropriate, it was obvious America stayed behind the curve in terms of rhetoric and support. This is understandable, it took less than three weeks to topple a regime in power for more than three decades. It is no surprise reaction time would be slow. As I hovered near my television in Cairo a week or so before Mubarak resigned, I kept silently urging President Obama to come out with a clear message in support of the protesters. I understand the delicacy of the matter. Gamble and lose and suddenly the country would have made a serious error with a key strategic ally. Yet, the Egyptian realization of values that America founds itself upon was too clear a moment to tip-toe around. This opportunity lost, it is time to step in and help make real change possible. As a piece in Al Masry Al Youm describes , the road ahead for Egypt is long. Much of the change thus far has been political when it needs to be economic. As an NPR Market Place report suggested, Egypt is ready for democracy, but the adult illiteracy rate of over 30% will prove a challenge. Acknowledging that the United States already sends billions of dollars in aid to Egypt, a targeted initiative would go a long way. For example, offering to fund Egyptian run programs that fight illiteracy, a project especially important as elections draw near, would go a long way towards forming a new and better relationship with the Egyptian people and possibly the larger Arab world.
Understandably, the United States and Israel both worry about what is to come next. For both parties I would offer the following solace: this will be a period of transition, but can ultimately lead to relationships that are more sustainable. Dictators have a shelf life, and desperately supporting those that have an iron grip on power has proven to be poor foreign policy. It is hard to tell where the pieces will lie, but thus far the changes in the Arab world have been secular, peaceful where possible, and democratic. This is a surprising and positive trend that the United States and even Israel, should both embrace. Uncertainty abounds, but soon it will be time for the United States to start forming new and improved relationships with countries that will look entirely different this month than last. This is an opportunity. As Middle East Institute scholar Robert Murphy argues, now is the time for the United States to rewrite its Middle East policy in order to finally align its interests with its values.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Mandell Group

The job search is an interesting process. It inspires a good amount of humility, most likely too much frustration and creative if not shameless interactions with those who can help. While the typical day on the job hunt can range from daydreams of a corporate corner office to threats of retirement at age 23, if nothing else it forces self-reflection. What am I interested in? Luckily, I have an answer, arriving at one can be a journey in itself. Me, my passion is security policy. While growing in popularity, this statement usually elicits some head tilts. I'll do my best to define it (as I see it) here. Security policy is not a unique field, rather it is a framework or perspective in which to view many of the challenges we are faced with today. In order to make a decision about what policy will make the nation safer, it is important to weigh the economic, environmental, political, social, and military implications of both the problem and the solution. I like to tell people that despite the rhetoric there is a good amount of idealism involved. A world free of nuclear arms is not outside the scope of security studies. Much of the recommendations made within this framework are instantly credible due to their national security guise. It's one thing for a left-of-liberal advocacy group to recommend we end our addiction to foreign oil. It's quite another when military officials recommend the same thing due to security concerns. I enjoy the comprehensive nature of the discipline, because after all, though we all pick separate majors in school, in reality issues cannot be classified into single categories. Ultimately my goal is to advocate for (and maybe one day create) policies that would make the world a safer, better place to live. That's what I'm interested in.
Now no one has snatched me off the job market as of yet. Though my search continues in earnest, I would prefer not to wait to get started. I will be developing a website where I can publish some freelance analysis, and hope to have others with similar interests contribute as well. Until I get more content on the site however, I will be sharing my thoughts here. The issues of the day are too interesting and too important to wait for someone to finally pick me. Though if any future employers are reading this, please, pick me.