Studying for the Map Quiz

Molly directed me to a website that can help you with your Geography Assessment grade. While memorization is really the only route to succeeding on the Map Test, you can practice with Sporkle.

Sporkle: Geography Quizzes

Beware, the regions on the website don't match up with the regions on your quizzes and tests. Nevertheless, they may still help you study. If you can think of any other resources that you'd like to share with the class, email them to me or share them in the comments.

Current Events Reading: 1/18

Please read and come prepared to discuss the following articles in the latest issue of The Economist:

• The World This Week: Politics | Business (pp. 8-9)
• The President's New Security Team: Obama Picks His Soldiers (p. 26)
• Afghanistan's Fearful Future: So Long, Buddy (pp. 33-4)
• Syria's Conflict: No End in Sight (p. 41)
• Aid to Rwanda: The Pain of Suspension (pp. 43-4)
• Turkey and the PKK: Peace at Last? (p. 48)
• Piracy: Privateers (p. 54)

Come to class understand who the "big players" in each story are, what they want, and how they intend to get it. Try to view these stories through the lenses of Realism, Liberal Institutionalism and Constructivism.

US, Russia, and the Tough Road Ahead

Russian President
Vladimir Putin
Image credit: Wikipedia

Russia is back off the mat and playing a major role in international politics once again.

While not the existential rival that they were during the Cold War, many of President Vladimir Putin's policies have squarely opposed US intervention in areas such as Iran, Syria and North Korea.

Anne Gearan at the Washington Post argues that Russia's foreign policy could pose serious problems for President Obama's second-term agenda.

Read the article, and decide whether Russia's actions exemplify realism or liberalism. Explain why for participation credit.