Meeting the Deciders

Getting to meet actual policy makers would give USC's School of IR a boost:

The University of Southern California is a powerful academic institution. Its schools are internationally known, well funded and have produced a robust alumni network. However part and parcel of being a powerful institution is to constantly seek to improve upon whatever weaknesses may exist in the system. It is always necessary to ensure that programs remain robust, inspiring and relevant to contemporary needs. One such way that USC encourages this kind of improvement is through the Deans prize, which offers students the chance to make recommendations on how to better their undergraduate education at the college. While I do not expect to compete for the prize myself, I would like to make a suggestion on how to augment the fine work already being done by the School of International Relations (abbreviated SIR, who’s main facilities are pictured on the right). I suggest that the university focus on bringing more current foreign policy experts into our classrooms.

An article was recently published in Foreign Policy magazine listing the top twenty universities nationwide for IR in three categories, PH.D., masters and undergraduate programs. Sadly USC made only one appearance, in the bottom position for masters’ studies. The article notes that proximity to Washington D.C. is important for those scholars who are interested in foreign policy careers, with schools in D.C. filling four of the top ten spots. Clearly this is where improvement is needed. For while USC will never move so much as an inch closer to Washington, in no way is it impossible to garner some of the benefits that location provides. To be clear, it is my view that having so many practitioners of foreign policy close at hand allows schools like Georgetown and Columbia to draw on their expertise, by both sending students to them to study, and by bringing in experts to the classroom. Therefore I suggest that USC, using its immense financial resources, extensive alumni networks, beautiful surroundings and other various strengths, seek to bring foreign policy professionals to our campus. If the SIC could establish a system like the of the Cinematic Arts School, where high profile industry leaders were frequent visitors to many classrooms, they would be augmenting several aspects of their program. Each IR course should incorporate into its schedule at least one class per semester for a guest speaker of high regard to the subject matter. The benefits of these high profile visits would be quickly identifiable and increasingly fruitful for all parties involved as time progressed. For example, students would be given the opportunity to see how their academic pursuits translate into practical implementation, as well as receiving inspiration as to the direction of their studies. Furthermore frequent visits from policy makers would enhance the renown and prestige of the school, which at the least would allow the school to raise the bar academically for its students and faculty. Finally these visits would establish links between students and the leaders in their fields, at the least allowing students to gain access to ideas and insight they might never otherwise encounter, and at best establishing robust working relationships for future endeavors.

As the second oldest school for International Relations in the nation, USC has a strong history of preparing scholars for global thinking. Indeed the highest point on campus, and a powerful symbol of the school is the von KleinSmid Center, whose foundation is the International Relations library, and peak is the golden globe that can be seen for miles in all directions. This is also fitting considering the university’s 2004 strategic plan recognizes that contemporary situations “will require leading educational institutions to become truly international in presence, focus, and scope […] and if USC is to cement her status as a great university she must expand her global presence.” It seems logical to me that the SIR through its studies, faculty, students and alumni networks, and focus should be perfectly situated to facilitate this goal. And brining field professionals into the classroom would be a great step towards this goal. SIR students are well prepared for, and would doubtlessly make the best of such opportunities, which in turn would make the future of such a program even brighter. It is high time for USC and the SIR to embolden their academic methods, and allowing students to move from merely studying texts, available at any library, to engaging with trendsetters face to face is an excellent place to start.

A Narrowly Avoided Crisis

The safe return of British sailors should not erase the seriousness of the situation:

A potentially serious international crisis was averted yesterday as a group of British sailors and marines were released, after having been captured by the Iranian Revolutionary guard. Iran claims that the British forces were violating Iranian territorial waters as they conducted a search of a vessel bound for Iraq. Though Britain maintains that the group was clearly within Iraqi waters, Iran had held the sailors in a secret location for nearly two weeks, while rumors circulated of criminal trials. Then on Wednesday the 4th of April it was announced that all members of the party had been “pardoned” and were being released back to Britain.

With the release of the 15 British sailors and marines on the 4th there has been heavy media coverage of how well Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (pictured to the right with one of the captives), and the Iranian government handled the situation. Many news anchors and political commentators have claimed that Iran, “played its hand just right”, seemingly standing up to the west, avoiding a serious military confrontation and then appearing to be a benevolent host by returning the group as a “gift”. There has also been a great deal of airtime devoted to showing the sailors and marines meeting with President Ahmadinejad, shaking hands and thanking him for being so kind and merciful, while also admitting to violating Iranian waters. Indeed, remembering how long the Iranian hostage crisis on 1979 had dragged on, this turn of events is indeed surprising and in many respects the most beneficial outcome for all parties involved. However there are three things that should not be forgotten during the homecoming celebration for British service men and women.

The first and most widely noted point is that President Ahmadinejad was not likely the deciding party when the time finally came to release the hostages. While the President was able to seize the opportunity and make a very good public relations gesture, it must not be forgotten that he is not simply the benevolent smiling patriarch that has been shown repeatedly in the last 24 hours. For instance, even though this crisis is now over Ahmadinejad and Iran are continuing to operate against UN and IAEA nuclear protocols with each passing day. Second, the gratitude of the British sailors (shown on the left arriving in Britain) should be put into context. While it is clear that each captive was exceedingly grateful to be returning home it should be noted, as was made clear in an interview on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, that British sailors are trained to capitulate with their captors in the event of their imprisonment. One former British serviceman, Royal Marine Scott Fallon who had also been taken hostage in Iran noted that captured soldiers try to be as cooperative and friendly as possible in order to develop a personal bond with their captors, hopefully improving their treatment and ensuring their survival.

Third, it is still unclear whether Iran was justified in their action. The British maintain that they have GPS data that indicates that the incident took place within their rightful zone of influence. In the map the published, (pictured to the right) they note the orginaly postion declared by the Iranian Navy, whcih was later modified by military spokesperson. If this is the case then the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that made the arrests, were in effect committing and act of war, and then falsifing evidence of their actions. This is especially disturbing when it coupled with recent claims by the Bush administration that parts of the Revolutionary Guard are operating outside of the control of Iranian government. If this is the case then the events of the last few weeks are another indication that at least part of the military command in Iran is unconcerned about instigating a conflict with allied forces in the region. Given that there are still two American aircraft carriers, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS John C. Stennis, operating in the region, it is truly fortunate that this crisis did not spiral out of control. In short, while this crisis ended up smelling like a rose, we must not forget the bed of thorns that was very narrowly avoided in the process.

Honoring With Distinction: Why John Lewis Gaddis Should be Given an Honorary Degree from USC

Seeing that spring has arrived, and with it a growing realization that graduation here at my home institution of the University of Southern California is just around the corner, I have been pondering the end of the academic year. This train of thought led me to wonder, who will be speaking at commencement in a few weeks time? With a little research I discovered that the commencement speech is always dilivered by someone who holds a special place in the university’s esteem. The speaker is one of a handful of recipients of the university’s honorary degrees which are bestowed each year. Past speakers include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and USC alumni Neil A. Armstrong. With this year’s honorees not yet announced, I spent some time considering whom I might first present with a degree, and then ask to address USC’s graduating seniors. My conclusion was a scholar of significant stature in both the historical and international relations communities. His name is John Lewis Gaddis, and in my opinion he is an outstanding fit when set against the various criteria asked of potential recipients of the honorary degree for doctor of humane letters. To demonstrate, let me address those various criteria.

According to the USC Honorary Degrees Homepage, there are four possible requirements for potential nominees, filling any one of which is sufficient for bestowing the honor. For the sake of concision I will only discuss two that Gaddis meets with distinction. The first is “to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary achievements in scholarship, the professions, or other creative activities, whether or not they are widely known by the general public”. With his extensive body of published works, such as "What We Now Know" and "Strategies For Containment”, Gaddis has made an extraordinary achievement in scholarship. His more then half dozen books detailing the Cold War present an astoundingly detailed account of the last era of human historical thinking. James M. Lindsay the vice president of the Council on Foreign Relations has said that Dr. Gaddis is “widely seen as being the leading historian on Cold War history”. Furthermore his literary contributions have earned him the National Humanities Medal, which is awarded to those who have deepened the nations understanding of the humanities. As such a distinguished scholar, I feel that Dr. Gaddis would be an excellent choice as a recipient of this degree. What is more, his uniquely deep understanding of American history and foreign policy, and his assessment of the nation’s current needs and direction, would likely result in a timely and motivating commencement address. However it is not just the graduates or Dr. Gaddis himself who would benefit from his receiving this degree.

Another USC criterion states that the honor may be presented “to elevate the university in the eyes of the world by honoring individuals who are widely known and highly regarded for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor.” To be frank Dr. Gaddis, already possessing a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as various medals and awards, may not need another degree, but USC would reaffirm its commitment to honoring academic excellence by bestowing the award upon him. It would be in keeping with the university’s most revered attributes, particularly those of scholarly and skillful, to recognize this contributor to the academic community. While the USC alumni community is already vibrant, accomplished, successful and held in very high regard, it would never the less behoove the university to show its appreciation of academic virtue by associating with this award winning, presidentially recognized, Yale professor. It seems Dr. Gaddis would be an exemplary recipient to elevate the university in the eyes of the world. Further, such a gesture would be beyond any questions as to the validity of the policy of honorary degrees, such as those voiced by James Freedman, who claims that the academic integrity of such honors has been trivialized in recent years. Freedman emphasizes “In bestowing an honorary degree [of which there is a long tradition in American higher education], a university makes an explicit statement to its students and the world about the qualities of character and attainment it admires most.” By presenting Gaddis with a degree our university would be making a strong statement about its regard for sustained academic pursuits and skillful scholastic contributions.

In short, the University of Southern California should extend its arms to John Lewis Gaddis, perhaps not this next month, but certainly in the years to come, as both a recognition of the tremendous academic achievement this scholar has made, and as a demonstration of the values that our university cherishes and seeks to instill in the thousands of minds that enter its gates seeking knowledge. It is only fitting that a dedicated academic mind, who’s texts have already enriched many USC students, be recognized for his contribution, and inducted into the Trojan family.