This was an excellent read! Regional bilateral agreements are required to cope with concerns that reach beyond one's borders. The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental platform where Arctic states and indigenous peoples can discuss concerns and work toward long-term socio-economic development. They've been coping with environmental and geopolitical challenges including climate change (temperature rises and ice melting), as well as limitations on their ability to exploit natural resources, among other things. A concerted effort will be required to overcome the challenge. However, as some of my colleagues have mentioned, ideological differences and personal interests will be a barrier. An article from the CFR on Arctic Governance challenges argues that "National governments, international institutions, and non-state actors should establish a cohesive regime complex that integrates new and existing smaller frameworks to tackle the challenges in the Arctic."

Yes, this report does an excellent job of presenting information on the reasons, difficulties, and potential solutions to terrorist threats.

Hi Peython, Interesting analysis, and I'm glad you were able to find some parallels between the US and Myanmar. The report does, in fact, provide a lot of context on the reasons for the terrorist threat. Yes, there is always room to learn from others and apply it to the United States.

I enjoy reading this piece on national security. The book provides a deeper understanding of the context and reasons of domestic terrorism threats, as well as viable solutions. The book emphasizes two important points: the necessity to invest in educational resources and the government's limited role in resolving the problem. One, education is absolutely necessary. Some people become engaged with terrorist organizations without having a good understanding of what they are getting themselves into, therefore improving awareness of the methods of recruiting, how to identify them, and how to defend ourselves is critical. Two, the task of addressing the domestic terrorist threat is beyond the government's capabilities; therefore, collaborating with individuals from various sectors and at all levels allows for a systematic approach to the problem and the development of applicable solutions to lessen domestic threats.

Great post Cooper. I agree that the IMF and other development institutions should try to base their approaches on local circumstances. It will be more effective in accomplishing a desired goal if done this way. China's Belt and Road Program has been divisive, and the initiative has presented developing countries with an alternative to loans.

International relations in Asia are quite interesting. The diversity of politics has influenced how each state interacts with one another. Conflict of interest has arisen as a result of the United States' presence and interest, as well as China's economic expansion.

You brought up an excellent point. It was all about adopting what worked elsewhere and making it happen in other nations in the early days of the IMF, without taking into account other elements that could influence a country's development. They've managed to adjust their development assistance approach for recovering (developing) countries over time. On the other hand, leaders in recovering countries must recognize that "despite appearing to be charities," those groups exist to make profits.

Since the end of World War II, the fundamental aim of many international organizations has been impacted. From rebuilding the world following World War II's devastation to preserving global security. While their existence has been questioned, others, like Nato, have attempted to remain relevant. Due to many of their setbacks, some have argued against the effectiveness of their existence. Because of our globalized world, I believe that international organizations that provide a venue for countries to debate their common challenges are necessary, and we should work to ensure that those organizations adapt to the needs of nations in the twenty-first century.

You've made a significant contribution of amazing thoughts. Governments that do not respect the freedom of the press should be held accountable.

Thank you, Joshua for sharing additional information regarding Raman's situation.The situation as a whole is quite problematic. It's unfortunate that we live in a society where human lives are neglected, and many governments have the authority to take away people's freedoms simply because their opinions do not line with theirs. The sanctions imposed by the United States are significant. Governments should be held accountable.

Good journalism is always controversial. This incident involving journalist Raman Pratasevich reflects the sad truth in every other country where the government has stripped individuals of their freedom to free speech. Journalism's purpose is to inform people about facts so that they may think for themselves and make informed decisions as citizens. However, we live in a society where deception is used to manipulate people.As many have pointed out, the COVID-19 has exposed a number of flaws in our world system, including in the United States, where it is no longer about informing the public but rather about spreading propaganda.

Terrorist organizations are on the rise, which is a cause for alarm. This rise can be attributed to a variety of factors, including environmental crises and inequality. For a variety of reasons, people may join extremist groups. When dealing with the issues, however, it is preferable to start at the root cause by allowing and comprehending all points of view. Some may join them because they are poor, others because they believe their voice are not acknowledged by the local government, and still others because they believe the current global system does not benefit them (this can be for either economical, political or religious reasons.) As a result, the context of each instance must be considered. When it comes to terrorism, there is a saying that always provides context to me: "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." Regardless matter who defines a terrorist group or act, we can all agree that the use of unlawful violence is immoral.

Because we now live in a globalized world, certain challenges can not be addressed by individual states, regardless of their wealth or poverty. More than ever, we need to work together to battle the ills that are tearing our society apart.

Terrorist groups are on the rise, posing a threat to world peace and security. This can be due to a variety of factors. Poverty to failed governments. Resolving these difficulties will necessitate dealing with them from the ground up, with the understanding that there will be losers and winners.As many of my colleagues have pointed out, the environmental problem is also an area that requires consideration in the fight against the rise of terrorism groups. The document on the rise of terrorists in Belgium points out that these organizations are made up of not just foreigners, but also Belgians.The piece also highlights the country's struggle to respond to the continuous attacks effectively and quickly. On the other hand, the United Nations, which has worked to ensure global peace and security in all of its forms, is experiencing huge obstacles. One being that, it requires the willingness of all nations to facilitate the achievement of its mission. While dealing with these extreme crisis, I agree with the following statement from the summer of the UN Plan of Action to Counter Violent Extremism: "Young people must be viewed as an asset and must be empowered to make a constructive contribution to the political and economic development of their societies and nations. Young people represent an untapped resource. They represent a genuine chance to realize their aspirations and potential."

"Democracy" as the engine of world peace, with the United States leading the way, is one of the primary highlights of the Interim National Security Strategy. However, the United States' foreign policy has been arguably terrible over the decades. Many times, foreign policies failed to fulfill their intended goals, whether it was due to lack of understanding of the countries' political climate or simply reacting to world affairs events that presented a threat to the US position as hegemony. With that being said, I believe that in the twenty-first century, the United States should not seek to impose its "values" on other countries, but rather work with individual countries to achieve self-determination through bilateral agreements. Let's keep in mind that since the post-colonial era, the struggle of many nations has been against colonialism and imperialism (Africa, for example) in the pursuit of self-determination. While attempting to comply to globalization's rules, each region of the world today has unique obstacles. As a result, allowing them to search solutions inside themselves while providing aid if needed will be crucial. Finally, I believe the United States should reconsider its international policies when dealing with countries around the world. In fact, many countries are suspicious of the western model of democracy as a path to development as a result of China's recent economic ascent. Some nations have attempted to follow China's development model or another path for their own development. When the US engages in global affairs, these critical points should be taken into account.

Hi there, My name is Pauline Kabambi, and I'm final year at the University of Central Florida. I'm majoring in International and Global Studies and minoring in Global Peace and Security Studies. This summer, I'm joining the economic research team as an international economic specialist. I look forward to work and learn from everyone in the team.