Distorted Maps

A friend of mine, Katie, recently passed onto me a link created by the universities of Michigan in the US and Sheffield, UK. The maps measure how the world really measures up.

"Rather than defining each country by size, these computer-generated modified maps - or cartograms - redraw the globe with each country's size proportionate to its strengths, or weaknesses, in a whole series of categories."

Some of the categories include HIV Cases, Military Spending, Wealth History and more.

Its a very interesting series of maps which measures our sometimes distorted realities and puts them back in place for us.

The maps can be found here at the Daily Mail.

On a lighter note, I thought you may appreciate a more humorous take on conservative politics. Thus, I present to you, the World as according to Dubya. I typically try to stay away from blatantly political statements, but this was to good to let go. Enjoy.

My Visual DNA

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Fulbright

I learned last week that I was not selected to be a part of the 2007-2008 Fulbright Exchange program with Germany.

I was extremely disappointed, however, I know that over 6000 applications submit their credentials for review and there are only around 1300 slots available for selection. In the mean time, I shall continue my job hunt.

The Critical Factors of Nation Building

I apologize for my delayed updates. My computer at home crashed so I am forced to schleck up to the Computer lab for every little thing. Good news is that the new VAIO should be shipped out today :).

About three weeks ago I had the opportunity to lunch with former ambassador Peter F. Romero click here to read his official biography (not updated since 2001). Ambassador Romero is a graduate of Florida State's International Affairs program, of which I am presently enrolled. The lunch was hosted in part with the University's Broad Lecture Series which invites prominent figures and academics in International Affairs to speak to the university. Ambassador Romero spoke on the critical factors of Nation Building and I throughly enjoyed the lecture after lunch. Romero was critical yet respectful of the Bush administrations present policies governing US involvement and invasion in Iraq and warned of potential diplomatic backlash if we do not settle things in the Mid East.

Some key points that Romero espoused in his nation building talk includes the importance of multilateral ism among others:

1. Have all non-military means been exhausted? Before we can begin coercion through force, we have to ensure our diplomatic muscle has been flexed.
2. Is our information on the gravity of the threat reliable? This is key because it focuses on the massive failures of US and Allied intelligence with the WMD problem in 2003 pre-invasion.
3. Can we operate under International Law? The development of International Law since 1945 has led to the establishment of organizations dedicated to promoting global peace and growth. Any state, as a signatory to this organization should cooperate in full with the international audience.
4. Does a "critical mass" support the vision internally? That is, does the national government have wide spread support for the vision.
5. Is there a sense of nationalization inside the target country? Does the target country have widespread support and a feeling of nationalism?
   
6. To what extent do you bring the "old order" back? It is imperative to restore amongst the masses a sense of normalization, in turn this turns former government leaders into part of the solution rather than the problem. The United States quickly learned this after WWII in Germany. Since so many of the government leaders were in government during the Third Reich it would become almost impossible to instill a government without former leadership. Ignoring their demands may turn them into insurgents.
   
7. Achieve sustained economic development. Important to recognize the importance of self-investment, FDI, market economies and limiting remittances and exiles.
   
8. Do you have the support of the target country's neighbors? Extremely important factor that is often overlooked. These countries can be a part of fueling an insurgency for their own benefit later on, also produces problem of security, border control, refugee status, etc. I.e. Syria & Iraq.
9. Does a comprehensive plan exist for war and nation build ling phases? Are the goals set forth by the military realistic? Have you received varying opinions?
   
10. How long will it take? The longer an occupying power stays, the faster resentment and nationalism within that target country will grow.
    

These are extremely indicative factors of the success or failure of engaging in war and then nation building. I found Romero's lecture to be informative and insightful and most importantly, it made sense.

First Serious Job Application

Yesterday I sent in my first resume for review for an position as a Research Associate on U.S. Foreign Policy with The Council on Foreign Relations. The job is an entry-level research position with one of the leading foreign policy firms in the world. If I do not receive the Fulbright award, I wouldn't mind working for The CFR. A great company in the middle of U.S. Foreign Relations. We'll see how this works out.

More Dissapointment

Today I received a letter from CDS International which is the organization which administers the much coveted Congress-Bundestag Exchange. In true fashion, I was not selected for an interview, however they believe I demonstrate "much promise" in my field.

Their primary reasoning for my none selection was that I hadn't had enough experience in my field. However, I thought this program was for recent college graduates who were going to Germany to gain experience. On top of that, I participated in Florida State's Beyond Borders Cross-Cultural Exchange program in 2005 and in 2006 was the lead student coordinator for the program. I have significant strengths in cross-cultural competencies and I'm already versed in the language. Apparently however there were significant application in the field that I applied for in International Relations so it must have been slim pickings. Either way, I am dissapointed but that is life. I'm still awaiting to hear back from the Fulbright program. If that doesn't fall through, I'll be out of my academic options and will be forced to seriously look for a job.

So this week I'll make an appointment at my universities career center, refurbish the resume and start sending it out. I very much want a job in Europe but I know those are hard to come by which is why I was relying heavily on CBYX and now Fulbright.

This whole college-senior graduation business is tiresome, stressful and quite unpredictable. I'm afraid I'm going to end up living in my Mother's basement working at a grocery store for years on end. Let's hope that doesn't come true.

German Grammar

Last month my Advanced German Grammar Class had group projects assigned. My two very good friends, Brian & Christine and I decided it would be a good idea to group together and make a film. Brian's hobby is film-making and editing so he had the equipment and know-how to take on this vast project. Our theme: Modalverbs and Prepositions. We took on German Jeporady and I served as the host of the show-duplicating the famous German host Thomas Gottschalk. It was a great time.

Brians film production company, Alyeska Film Productions produced the film. An online version (quality is slightly lower) of the film can be viewed on the projects page of Aleyska Film Productions.

It was a blast making the video and needless to say, we made an A on the project.