We would like the explore the relations between Iran and the United States because the tensions between the two nations are rising, and Iran has become very prominent in the news. Our focus will be on the political relations between the two but also on current events in Iran that affect or concern the United States. Since problems between these two nations stem from many years ago, we will also dedicate time to the historical background of Iranian-American relations.
How We Wednesday, Jan 23 2008
Uncategorized 1:35 am
Initially, we didn’t believe that we had much of a stake in International Relations at all. We’re just two college students, and the world is so big and complex, we found ourselves wondering, how can we really make any difference in it? Well we realize that we actually have the ability to influence IR, and do so without even realizing it. First of all, as a consumer, the choices of products we use, foods we eat, clothes we wear, and technologies we enjoy, all influence not only the American economy, but often times the economies of other country’s as well. The trend in UGG boots is a good example, and a phenomenon we ourselves partook in. The sale of UGG boots may have helped to stimulate the Australian economy, which may have helped to boost Australia’s international position among other nations. As a citizen, we vote in elections which determine those who govern this country, which in turn determines what stance our country takes towards other nations. As a student, Christina studies Spanish which makes her yet another Spanish speaker in the growing numbers of Spanish speakers in America, which can be seen as both a negative and positive attribute, and can tend to color people’s perception towards immigration policies. Emily studies French as well, which has different implications because the relations between America and French speaking nations are different than those with Spanish speaking nations. As students engaging in a liberal education, we are taught to be open minded and accepting of other cultures. This has the potential to influence international relations as we will go on to travel (hopefully in abundance) to other countries and be a (hopefully positive) representation of an American. What we are taught, not only in college, but by my parents, peers, and the media also color’s our views of other nations, which in effect influence our personal relationship with those nations. Because of the hostile atmosphere in parts of Africa, we will most likely travel to the parts of the continent that we feel certain are safe. For example, Emily has been to Africa twice (Morocco and South Africa) and tried to get the least-”touristy” view of the two countries; however, there are only a handful of places deemed safe to go in those two countries. On an even more basic level, when we travel to different nations, just as people from a different country, our interactions with others serves as a representation of America to the people we meet in that foreign nation. Our interactions have the capability to push others to form opinions and perspectives (either positive or negative ones) that establish how a nation as a whole views America. The point is, our perspectives influence our actions, which in turn can influence international relations.
My Big, Life-Changing Event Thursday, Jan 17 2008
Uncategorized 5:08 am
If I had to pick one event in my life which significantly altered it, I would have to pick moving to the United States from Hong Kong in the winter of 1998. Not only did my immediate circumstances change with this move- the house I lived in was now in a suburb instead of a gated community, the Chicago climate was harsh and freezing, my new school was very large and unfamiliar- but also, my entire perception of the world shifted as a result of this move. Although my parents, and I, have always been American citizens, because I was born and also lived in Singapore, I had never lived before in the states. In retrospect, my life overseas was greatly different, but armed me with a more open-minde and global perspective that I sometimes believe more Americans should have. I have not been back to Asia since I have left, and I think this is another reason this move felt so monumental, as living overseas becomes to me, sadly, more and more of a distant and entirely seperate memory from my life here.
Hello world! Wednesday, Jan 16 2008
Uncategorized 2:33 pm
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