“An Evening with Ronan and Mia Farrow”

Posted on April 4, 2013 by internationalaffairs

By Mariah Giblin

Rhodes College recently held a lecture for students and faculty to engage in an open conversation about politics, entertainment, and affecting change in our communities with humanitarians Mia Farrow and her son, Ronan Farrow. A UNICEF ambassador as well as a renown actress, Ms. Farrow’s humanitarian efforts have specifically included writing and speaking on the genocide in Darfur, as well as traveling throughout the region. Her son, Ronan Farrow is Mia’s only child from her marriage with fellow actor Woody Allen, and has most notably served as a senior official during the Obama administration. In addition, he assisted the foundation of the State Department Office of Global Youth Issues, where he became America’s first youth envoy during the Arab Spring revolutions. Named Forbe’s number one “30 under 30” most influential people in Law and Policy, Ronan has followed in the footsteps of his mother, making international headlines at the young age of 25.

The panel of members of the Lecture Board first asked the Farrows about how their large and dynamic family has influenced their passion for philanthropy at home and abroad. Ronan explained that his unique upbringing—thirteen siblings, some of which come from all around the world—exposed him to global economic and social issues at a young age. Not only did this instilled a sense of responsibility at his core, but he has been inspired by his siblings to contribute to the international community as much as possible. He then spoke of his fond appreciation of his mother, and how their passion for social and economic development has become an area where the two are able to join forces.

In contrast, Mia stated that being one of seven very similar children in an Irish-Catholic household growing up made her desperate to stand out and be different. Although mother and son, the difference in their upbringings have allowed Ronan and Mia to find a common ground through philanthropy, and as a result, their work together has influenced change around the world.

When asked what specifically inspired values of social responsibility, Mia piped up first. Admitting that the adverse effects of stardom and fame “fueled her passion to help others in need,” it was both heartwarming and heartbreaking to hear Ms. Farrow describe the feeling of “being suspended in a lifeboat” and needing to pull people in as the result of an unhappy marriage. She spoke of her decision to leave Hollywood and how the Vietnam War protests were also an influence on her career as a humanitarian. Ronan joked about how he grew up in his mother’s “lifeboat,” and reiterates how powerful it was witnessing his siblings’ tough backgrounds of disease and abuse. Mia added that she always taught her children “the power and importance of respect and responsibility, that we must above all respect the human family and our planet.” As she puts it, “it’s the only one we got.”

The panel ended the lecture by asking Mia and Ronan how students at Rhodes College can learn from their success and make a difference in the Memphis and international community. It was obvious that Mr. Farrow had done his research as he lauded Rhodes College as being the most service-minded school in the country, specifically mentioning our campus programs such as The Kinney Program, The Bridge Streetpaper, amongst other activities. He noted that the students of Rhodes College are “not waiting for an opportunity to make a difference,” but that we are creating our own opportunities and taking initiative. The key to his early success, he describes, is his determination and constant submissions of Op-ed pieces to various publications until he was finally published. He also reassured us that “young people can make a difference… don’t be afraid to express your ideas, even though we are so young,” he confidently added. Mia agreed with her son and inspired the audience to “not wait to make a difference!” She stressed that age should not hinder our ability to foster positivity and change in the world. Powerfully, Ms. Farrow ended the lecture and stated that in her opinion, the most important thing for young people to understand is that “with knowledge comes responsibility.” And as Mia and Ronan have proven, if all decisions are shaped by respect and responsibility, there is infinite room to succeed.

Mariah Giblin is sophomore from Houston, TX, majoring in English.

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The Aftermath of Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation

Posted on March 6, 2013 by internationalaffairs

By Mariah Giblin

On Monday, February 11 Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the office of the Bishop of Rome. This resignation, which occurred at the end of the month, ended his eight years as Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. In his official statement , Benedict stated: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.” Vatican spokesperson Rev. Federico Lombardi said that this was neither a result of any disease nor external pressure, but that due to his age of eighty-five the Pope has naturally weakened.

After announcing his resignation, many wondered whether Popes had the liberty of resigning at all. According to Canon law, a resignation must be made freely on the basis that the Pope is sound of mind. Therefore, in his official statement Benedict stated: “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.”

Amidst the questions and doubt circling through the Vatican, Rome, and the rest of the world, many focused on Pope Gregory XII, the last Pope to resign 598 years ago in 1415. According to an article from the  New York Daily News, Pope Gregory’s resignation was a way to appease the Great Western Schism, a forty-year long period of turmoil within the church in which cardinals in Avignon, France, Rome and Pisa, Italy, all claimed to be the true Pope of the Church. The schism ended at the Council of Constance, where Pope Gregory XII and Antipope John XXIII of Pisa stepped down and made cardinals as a reward for cooperation. Antipope Benedict XIII of Avignon refused and was later excommunicated.

Skipping ahead almost six centuries, there have been various criticisms surrounding Pope Benedict’s resignation. Many believe that abdicating the holiest and most honorable position in the Catholic Church is unacceptable. However, when one considers the reason for Gregory XII’s resignation and compare it to that of Benedict XVI, his reasons for stepping down are arguably admirable. In is statement Benedict further explained that  “in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” As Pope Gregory XII relinquished his title as Supreme Pontiff to mend the rifts in the Church, ensuring the stability of the Church for future generations, Pope Benedict XVI is also assuring the stability of the Church by recognizing the effects that his progressing age has had on his ability to soundly govern the Church. From his statement, readers can only begin to grasp the internal struggle Pope Benedict XVI dealt with to even consider abdicating his position.

Vatican spokespersons have said that the College of Cardinals will gather for a Conclave in order to elect a new pope. Lombardi also declared that after February 28 the Pope will move to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, then ultimately into a monastery in the Vatican. Amidst the uncertainty, one thing is for certain: Pope Benedict XVI plans to “devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”

Mariah Giblin is a sophomore from Houston, TX. An English major, Mariah hopes to pursue a career related to journalism. 

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Honduras: Drug War Envelopes Central America

Posted on February 14, 2013 by internationalaffairs

By Ines Tamaddon

After 49 years of being stationed in Honduras, the Peace Corps—amongst other international organizations—has suspended their services until the violence, crime, and homicide rates subside. As a result of the coup in 2009 that ousted President Manuel Zelaya from office, instability has enveloped the country and specifically allowed Mexican drug cartels to utilize Honduras as a major transit point for transferring drugs from South to North America.

On January 28th, 2009, President Manuel Zelaya was awoken in the middle of the night by the Honduran army, and sent to San Jose, Costa Rica against his will. Aligned with controversial and leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President Zelaya had been trying to impose the ‘fourth-ballot box proposal,’ a plan to impose a fourth ballot box at presidential elections that would allow President Manuel Zelaya to run a non-binding referendum. Many Hondurans adamantly opposed this plan, calling it unconstitutional, and observing the similarity between Zelaya’s actions and those of Chavez, Cuba and other members of the ALBA, Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America. The orders came directly from the Supreme Court, where later Honduran Congress removed him from office and installed President of Congress Roberto Micheletti.

In the years following the coup, tensions are still high. Said to have the highest murder rate in the world, the Central American country has become plagued with gang violence, and organized crime related to drug cartels. As of March 2012, over 60 area strips used for drug trafficking have been discovered in eastern provinces of Honduras, specifically in Olancho, Colon, Gracias a Dios, and El Paraiso, George Ramsey explains for InSightCrime. Because these landing strips are in good condition, Ramsey quotes Honduran military head of Joint Chiefs of Staff Rene Osorio Canales that this “indicates that drug trafficking organizations use them frequently, maybe even as much as one or two times a week.” According to the US State Department, “the Caribbean coast of Honduras was particularly vulnerable to illicit activities [due to] limited state presence and weak institutional development,” responsible for 79 percent of all cocaine transportation from South to North America.

As a result of the drug trafficking, neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador have also suffered the adverse effects of a major U.S. crackdown on the drug war in Mexico. Turning to this pocket of Central American countries, Ed Vulliamy for The Guardian writes that Guatemala is the “northbound gateway for drugs into southern Mexico and a battleground between the mightiest cartel in the world, the Sinaloa and its rival, Los Zetas.” These groups have been able to capitalize on Guatemala’s rural landscape, and many towns have become a target of crime and extortion. Similarly, as a result of a US funded airstrip aimed at facilitating trade with the two regions, El Salvador has become “known in Mexican narco-war parlance as ‘El Caminito,’ ‘the little highway,’” since it now acts as a main cocaine trade route.

Internal instability and weak infrastructure has left Honduras and its neighbors in an extremely vulnerable position. Although the United States and Honduran governments have been working towards identifying target areas, the removal of the Peace Corps symbolized a major cry for help. In the coming months forces will be collaborating, seeking the institutional reforms necessary to hopefully carry Honduras out of the dark, and into the light.

Ines Tamaddon is a Spanish major, International Studies minor with a strong interest in international politics and the diverse cultures of Latin America.

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Refugee Crisis: Syrians in Lebanon

Posted on January 24, 2013 by internationalaffairs

By Abdulghani Bayakly

This past winter break, I decided to visit Tripoli, the capital of Lebanon, to gain a better understanding of the Syrian refugee crisis. After witnessing firsthand the effects the Syrian civil war has had in Lebanon—specifically the living conditions of refugee areas—I felt compelled to inform other Rhodes students of the current situation.

Due to the runoff of the civil war in neighboring Syria, Lebanon has been at the forefront of the international media in recent months. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as a whole Lebanon is currently home to 212, 000 Syrian refugees with 73,970 registered in the Northern city of Tripoli. In addition to the complications that the immigration process has provided for the refugees, Syrians of Lebanon—particularly in Tripoli—note that the country they have fled to is by no means free of instability. Given the continued growth of the Syrian civil war, Tripoli has experienced violent sectarian divides between the Alawites, the native tribe of President Bashar al-Assad and supporters of the Syrian government, in the area of Jabal Mohsen, and Sunnis of Bab el Tebben and Qobbeh. Although Syrian refugees have escaped the violence within their own country, the fear of becoming the target of pro-Syrian government forces within Tripoli remains an unfortunate reality.

In comparison to the Syrians living in Jordan and Turkey who live in refugee camps, the Syrians in Lebanon are limited to tents as their only shelter. They have no base, and their integration with Lebanese society has left many unemployed since it is cheaper to hire Syrian workers. This has fueled internal animosity, and more importantly compounded the difficulties of a poor economy and corrupt government that Lebanese already face.

The Lebanese government is scrambling, asking the world for assistance as there are estimates that the number of refugees will near half a million by Summer 2013. The Arab League plans to send a delegation team to Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon to specifically gage what refugees need the most. However, after experiencing their lack of resources (water, heaters, and clothing), I and other members of the Memphis Muslim community are planning a fundraiser that students and professors at Rhodes can participate in to help provide basic amenities.

Across the Middle East, the situation for Syrians is deteriorating and although there is aid going in, it does not seem to be enough.  If you are interested in raising awareness or fundraising, please contact me at bayan@rhodes.edu.

Abdulghani Bayakly is an International Studies major from Cordova, TN.

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Venezuela: Is President Chávez really who he claims to be?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by internationalaffairs

By Ines Tamaddon

The President of Venezuela since 1999, Hugo Chávez was reelected into his fourth term this past October. Born into a working class family, Chávez has gained a large following from the lower classes and become an inspiration to many Venezuelans. Chávez has labeled his philosophy as ‘Socialism in the 21st century,’ and founded the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200 in 1982. The inspiration for this political movement is Simón Bolívar, a Venezuelan military and political leader who led the fight for Latin America’s independence against colonialism in the early 19th century. This revolutionary approach to social issues in the 21st century is rooted in Venezuelan nationalism and the foundation for Chavez’s Political Party, The Fifth Republic Movement.

The President claims to seek improvement of the lives of all Venezuelans and create equal opportunities throughout the country. However, his administration holds extraordinarily high human rights abuse records, and is known for censoring the press and using intimidation factors against political opposition. Released in 2012, Human Rights Watch report “Venezuela: Concentration and Abuse of Power Under Chávez” outlines the increase of violence and exploitation of power during the President’s 14-year rule. HRW explains that “the erosion of human rights protections have allowed the Chávez government to intimidate, censor, and prosecute critics and perceived opponents in a wide range of cases involving the judiciary, the media, and civil society.” Through the re-structure of governmental policies and an effort to silence journalists under Chávez’s rule, Venezuela has seen an increase in human rights abuses and a decrease in liberties.

Chávez’s administration strategically placed political allies in the Supreme Court after legislative elections in 2010 reduced the ‘Chavista’ majority. As a result, judges turn a blind eye to human rights cases, and instead “publicly pledge their commitment to advancing Chavez’s political agenda.” In the media, the administration has misused their authority to “expand the number of government-run and pro Chavez media outlets.” They are habitually known for using private media broadcasts as a platform to air the president’s speeches and advocate governmental policies. In addition, they shut down RCTV—the country’s oldest private television channel—from both the radio and cable TV in response to the programs critiques of the Chávez administration.

Lastly, the government has accused foreign and domestic human rights organizations as the biggest threat to Venezuela’s ‘democracy’ and international image, and a way to cozy up to countries like the United States. In 2010, Chávez’s allies in the Supreme Court went as far to rule “that individuals or organizations that receive foreign funding could be prosecuted for ‘treason’ under a provision of the criminal code that establishes a prison sentence of up to 15 years.” In addition, the National Assembly has enacted legislation blocking organizations that “defend political rights” or “monitor the performance of public bodies from receiving international assistance,” Human Rights Watch concludes.

In this past election against Henrique Capriles of the Justice Party, Chávez secured 55 percent of the votes. While acknowledging his “accomplishments in housing, education and health initiatives,” interestingly he also recognized how “he needs to do more on crime and government bureaucracy”, CNN staff explain. On Election Day, he proclaimed “today we have demonstrated that our democracy is one of the best in the world.” However, Chávez’s loyalty to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and multiple socialist and communist governments in Latin America—Castro in Cuba, Morales in Bolivia, Correa in Ecuador, and Ortega in Nicaragua—whose administrations hold historic records of human rights abuses, corruption and power plays against their people, suggests that his political agenda does not support democratic ideals.

Although Chávez claims his popularity amongst Venezuelans is what has kept him in power for 14 years, facts and history prove otherwise. Rather, it appears that his presidency is derived from intimidation tactics—violence, censorship of the press, manipulation and threats—that have instilled fear in his people, and in turn hindered political opposition.

Ines Tamaddon is a Spanish major and International Studies minor from Sea Cliff, NY. 

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India: Advancements and Setbacks for Women’s Rights

Posted on November 9, 2012 by internationalaffairs

By Molly Whitehorn

As much as Americans point fingers to the East when it comes to gender inequality (At least we aren’t as bad off as them!), several countries have actually made advancements that we as the United States have not. India, for example, is one of those countries that is often thought of as inferior to the U.S. when it comes to women’s rights. However, India has had a female president, Partihba Patil.  While India may have elected a female President and the United States has yet to reach that milestone, women in the United States enjoy the basic rights that Indian women have yet to experience.

Partibha Patil is a living example of how women in India have surpassed political barriers. Elected in 2007, Patil was inaugurated on July 25 of that year to serve as the 13th President of India. She reached this position at the age of 72 after a long journey of politics that begun when she was 27 years old. Patil’s political platform was based on a promise to defend the rights of Indian women and was a serious asset that helped her achieve presidency. Though prominent female politicians seek positions of power in our Executive branch—such as 2008 Vice President Nominee Sarah Palin and 2012 Presidential Candidate and current Secretary of State Hilary Clinton—there has yet to be a female head of state. When Palin sought the Vice Presidency, she was often labeled as ditzy and comments were made about her attractiveness. Clinton, on the other hand, is seen as extremely intense and is mocked for her lack of ‘feminine’ features. Instead of focusing on their political agendas, the media was pre-occupied with their appearances. The reactions to these two women running for office demonstrates that our nation must reevaluate our priorities, before we level both genders on an equal playing field.

Despite Patil’s success, India has a long way to go before it can be considered a nation of complete gender equality in the political sphere. Despite the accomplishments of Patil and women such as Meira Kumar, speaker of Lok Sabha—the lower house in Parliament—India is struggling to put more women in office at the Parliamentary level. In fact, women’s participation is surprisingly low for a nation with a female head of state that only finished her term in July of 2012. Women make up only 10.7 percent of their house of Parliament, while female candidates and positions are more frequent in the Panchayat Raj, the local governments of India. It is even required that women take up at least 33 percent of the panchayat seats in each state—and many states are surpassing that requirement at 50 percent.

Although these statistics seem impressive for women, they do not mean that women in India have equal rights. In a study done by the Thomson Reuters Foundation polling 320 gender specialists, India was ranked as the absolute worst place to live if you are a woman (the best place was Canada). One reason that India is such a problematic place for women is because of dowry, the tradition that the bride’s family must bring money and/or gifts to her husband when she is married. According to the National Crimes Record Bureau, in 2010 one woman was murdered every hour over dowry related issues. A study done in 2011 by The Lancet, suggests that 12 million girls were aborted in the last decade over fear of the dowry. Other injustices done to Indian women range from honor killings to ‘protect’ families’ names, to selling women and young girls into human trafficking.

The case of India proves that the idea of women’s rights is a much more complicated matter than the issues we deal with in the United States (having access to birth control, or having the right to choose). Partibha Patil has proven that in India women have advanced in many ways, while moving backwards at the same time. Gender equality is not something that can be solved by passing a few bills into law; it is something that the international community will need to work towards in years to come. With rises in democracy all over the world, it is important to note that without equal gender rights, half of the population will be silent. And if this is the case, is a country progressive at all?

Molly Whitehorn is a sophomore from Little Rock, Arkansas.

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Unresolved Dispute Over Senkaku Islands

Posted on October 26, 2012 by internationalaffairs

By Tess Fairbanks

China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Malaysia have all claimed sovereignty over island territory in the South Pacific Ocean. However, the conflict has reached a new level of tension in China and Japan, as Japan recently purchased these islands and brought them under Japanese control.

In Japan, this land is known as Senkaku whereas the Chinese have entitled them Diaoyu. Once the Japanese government began campaigning to purchase the Senkaku islands last April, the pressure between the two Asian nations hit an all-time high. The islands, located between Taiwan and Okinawa, sit among popular fishing waters and are believed to be rich in oil resources. Although Japan has had success in their campaign efforts, China uses their history to claim entitlement since the islands were Chinese territory for hundreds of years before they ceded sovereignty after losing the Sino-Japanese war. Thus, in an 1885 survey Japan said they saw no trace of Chinese governance of the islands, so in 1895 they formally recognized the land as their own.

Then later in 1932, Japan sold the islands to descendants of the original settlers. When the Japanese surrendered at the end of World War II in 1945, the islands came under the control of the United States.  But in 1972, the United States returned them to Japan as part of its withdrawal from Okinawa. Through this long line of island swapping, the rift between China and Japan has grown larger.

Because many Chinese citizens believe that Japan’s claim to entitlement has come to represent the impact of the Japanese occupation during the 1930’s and 40’s, waves of violent anti-Japanese protests have begun. Along with the general reaction of the Chinese public to this conflict-causing land, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping condones the legitimacy of Japan’s purchase as well. Expected to become China’s new President next month, Xi Jinping’s stance has raised questions as to how the future Chinese government will react to this issue.

Unfortunately, the answer to the question of which nation the Senkaku islands belong to, is still unknown. However, there is a mutual effort by China and Japan to find a resolution. Zhang Yunbi, a writer for ChinaDaily USA, describes in her article “Secret Talks Held Over Diaoyu Islands,” that Chinese and Japanese diplomats have not closed the lines of communication, and are continuing to work together to find a solution. This resolution is necessary for Japan, whose economy is suffering from Chinese protests and boycotts of Japanese products. Yunbi cites chief economist at BNP Paribas in Tokyo, Ryutaro Kono, who explains that, “the deteriorating relationship with China could prove to be a major blow to the Japanese economy. If this problem continues into early next year … an economic recession would be unavoidable.” With China as their leading trade partner, if the discord between the two nations is not resolved sooner rather than later, Japan’s economy can be expected to worsen.

Tess Fairbanks is a junior and Business and Commerce major. Next semester, she plans to study abroad in Beijing.

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