Happy Dog Takes on the World: The Battle over Brexit and the Future of Europe
European observers are currently focused on the United Kingdom as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to leading Britain out of the European Union (EU) on October 31 “with or without a deal.” However, the great uncertainty surrounding British decisions is only one of many challenges confronting the six-decade-long European cooperation project. In addition […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: The Conflict Over Kashmir
Earlier this month, the Indian government moved to revoke special status of Indian-controlled Kashmir, a long-contested region abutting Pakistan and China that constituted India’s only Muslim-majority state. Since that decision, Kashmir remains virtually cut off from the rest of the world, in lock down with a strong military presence and no access to phones, television, […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: Citizen Participation in the Judicial System in Japan & East Asia
Systems that incorporate juries into the legal decision-making process can significantly impact a country’s political system, political culture, and society. Bodies of average citizens can function as powerful tools in educating, ensuring justice, and enhancing the judiciary’s credibility. They also provide a valuable civic engagement tool that enables self-governance and facilitates checks on individuals, industry, […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: The Future of Energy Kingdoms: Oil, Politics, and the Persian Gulf
Oil has moved many countries in the Persian Gulf – namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – from global obscurity to some of the richest, most technologically advanced nations on earth. But that transformation doesn’t come without consequences, as outlined in in Jim Krane’s new book Energy Kingdoms: Oil and […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: How America Confronts Terror
For the past 17 years, much of American national security has been focused on preventing another terrorist attack. To that end, the United States has invested countless resources in battling ISIS, the Taliban, and other forms of extreme terrorism around the globe. In December, President Donald J. Trump announced he was pulling 2,000 American troops out of […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: Forecast Calls For… A Global Trade War?
In October, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its global growth forecast, as tensions between the United States and its trading partners continues to escalate. IMF predicts the global economy will increase 3.7 percent – down from an initial estimate in April of 3.9 percent – due to several potentially disruptive trade policies: the US-Mexico-Canada […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: Stories from the Border- DACA, TPS, and the Future of Immigration
Immigration and asylum are becoming two of the largest – and most controversial – issues worldwide. Political upheaval, displacement crises, changes in border security, and increases in nationalistic viewpoints have limited mobility for those escaping conflict, persecution, and seeking a better life.In the U.S., the Trump administration’s commitment to ending two programs, the Deferred Action for […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: The End of Pax Americana?
“Pax Americana” commonly refers to the decades of relative peace experienced amongst the world’s most powerful nations after World War II. This peace is often attributed to the United States’ stability, economic strength, and preponderance of power – and, arguably, its position as a moral center, dedicated to preserving freedom, democracy, human rights, and the […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: The Korean Peace Process
During a summit on June 12, 2018, President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong-Un, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK), signed an agreement pledging to “build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula” including complete denuclearization and the recovery of POW/MIA remains. How does this current agreement between U.S. and […]
Happy Dog Takes on the World: Venezuela- Corruption, Instability and Economic Crisis
First colonized by Spain in 1522, Venezuela was one of the first Spanish-American territories to gain full independence in 1830. Throughout the next 150 years, under military and dictator rule, Venezuela became one of the world’s leading exporter of oil. Since 1958, the country has had a series of democratic governments but suffered significant political turmoil as […]
