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The whole country of Cuba mourns following the death of their beloved leader, Fidel Castro. His brother Raul Castro made the announcement shortly following his death. People in Havana, and even Miami took to the streets. Fidel Castro remains one of the only leaders to effectively stand up to United States influence to preserve communism in his country. He has already left a lasting impression on the region and its foreign policy, and now the interesting question remains: what now?
This marks another historical moment for Cuba-U.S. relations now that the longstanding resistor of U.S. culture and capitalism is no more. Now the question remains on how Cuba and the United States will proceed from here on out. It is possible to look at Cuba as another clean slate, possibly the new "natural experiment" such as the Balkan states' transition from state owned to privatized. There is no doubt that Fidel Castro took care of his people as best he could, but the fact that he has left many impoverished and many isolated from other opportunities is a consequence that cannot be ignore. Only time will tell.

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Trump Wins Election - The World Reacts - 11/9/16

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Trump Wins Election - The World Reacts - 11/9/16

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http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37919394
Just let it sink in... a Celebrity real-estate developer has won the U.S. Presidential Election. Winning the post of the leading world hegemon is no easy feat and does not come without its own baggage. All ties and allies to the United States have been highlighted as a result of the unexpected results. All allies have reaffirmed ties with the U.S., with many saying that they "will continue to work" with the U.S. moving forward, despite Trump's flamboyant style of politics. Russia and China, interestingly enough, had some of the most notable reactions to Trump's victory, re-affirming that stronger ties could be made with the current administration.
This is a game changer, and could potentially be another push towards hegemonic decline for the United States, especially with Trump's rhetoric pointing towards a more isolationist approach. However, Trump seems disillusioned by the idea that we can simply "bring jobs back" to America at the flip of a switch, but the world simply doesn't work that way anymore, and it hasn't for years. If comparative institutionalism is valid in any form, it is further proof that we have simply locked ourselves into a position of fictionalization and production of high tech products. Trump should consider our class to re-evaluate all his policies to know that old policies from decades ago simply won't yield the same results.

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http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21695934-venezuela-today-looks-zimbabwe-15-years-ago-spot-difference
Venezuela is experiencing hyperinflation today, just as Zimbabwe did 15 years ago. Much of that has to do with Nicholas Maduro's failure to diversify his economy grow productive sectors for the long haul. His country has paid dearly for relying on crude oil to grow their economy, and for relying on the government to lead them to a more prosperous future. The IMF is expecting inflation to hit 720% in Venezuela, which is leaving its residents without the basic necessities such as bread, toiletries, as well as energy to light and heat homes.
This could be one case that could've been avoided had Maduro followed even a modest number of recommendations made by the Washington Consensus. Specifically, the privatization of SOEs. Now that crude oil is at an all time low and countries are moving away from fossil fuels, this leaves an economy like Venezuela's vulnerable to crisis and shortages, especially since the government makes most of the financial decisions still. While following the recommendations may not lead to economic miracles, it is still better than having a country implode under its debt and inept government.

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http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/12/house-divided
In an unlikely turn of events, it seems that the FBI, the CIA, and a bipartisan panel of congressmen actually have come to an agreement on one thing: Russia was involved in our 2016 Election. They were once accused in 2015 and now are accused of influencing outcome in our election. Now whether or not this is true has massive implications for our very way we run our country, striking right at the core of our democracy. This is now a question that both parties are bickering over, which  raises concerns not only about the fundamental integrity of our electoral system, but whether we are being attacked on a new front.

This is taking World Polity Theory to a new level. If what is being alleged is true, Russia has essentially written our legislation and policy for the next four years (possibly eight)! It was always in the interest of Russia for Trump to become president, namely because of a less confrontational administration and perhaps economic help in the removal of sanctions and further oil drilling in the Arctic. If this holds true, this would mean that Russia has managed to influence policy in another sovereign state using the internet. Not only is this a new front of cyber warfare, but it speaks volumes of the United States' competitiveness and readiness to retaliate to such attacks.

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Putin & Russia: A Journalist's Perspective - 10/7/2016

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Putin & Russia: A Journalist's Perspective - 10/7/2016

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04dnmk5
A very definitive picture of Vladimir Putin is painted on this side of the world. On the whole, he is portrayed as a very dark and authoritarian figure in charge of a rival superpower. Mikhail Zygar goes on the record saying that Putin as he puts it "does not exist" in the scope that we perceive. While people may be very skeptical of his position as a journalist since journalists in Russia are under constant scrutiny, Zygar basically gives an account of Russia and Putin as being shunned by the West after attempts of connection were made in Russia's part.

Dissemination of information is arguably one of the most profoundly affected sectors by the internet revolution and certainly all other types of media. This is precisely what Friedman meant by the "flattening" of the world. While I don't agree on that front in many respects, mass media is certainly one area where walls have been completely stripped down, and why being critical in this time of mass media consumption is necessary. Zygar is vetted and makes a very plausible argument for the stance Russia has taken against the West, and with good reason if what he says is true. If there is no trust to begin with,there is no reason to reciprocate that trust. This is something that is sorely missed by our media distributors if this is true, which is dangerous if our true goal is to integrate other powers into our global economy.

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http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21708891-even-backing-kurds-shia-militias-and-american-led-international
One of the last Daesh (Islamic State) strongholds is now in the middle of being "liberated" by the Iraqi Army. Mosul is the second largest urban area in Iraq. Within its walls citizens of Mosul have had to submit to Islamic Law and countless atrocities that the Islamic State is notorious for. Security forces, Sunni and Shiite paramilitary, as well as Kurdish Pershmerga forces backed by US military consulting have all converged to push the radical group out once and for all.

This is sure to stir up more emotion as the fight for cultural dominance plays out in the Middle East. This is a sure and bleak reality that will continue for the foreseeable future as long as there are still alliances to be made, and resources to be exploited. Countries such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran and Saudi Arabia will continue to be periphery states as long as Core countries keep financial (maybe cultural?) leverage against smaller countries, no matter how rich they may become.

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http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21689583-appeasing-russias-kleptocrats-harms-both-britains-moral-integrity-and-its-hard-nosed
Kleptocracy is basically state leaders taking money for the country's accounts and using it to go on spending sprees abroad. Recently, the Kremlin has been suspected of extending its jurisdiction abroad to curb and punish these "kleptocrats" from splurging abroad.. Not only is it being denounced on ethical terms, massive expenditures (in the millions to hundreds of millions) are also feared to distort domestic prices with foreign intention to simply park money here and not really "use" anything.

This is a problem for developing and developed economies alike. These sudden and sometimes excessive influxes of money can distort local real estate as well as costs of assets and borrowing. Foreign Direct Investment is undermined because the investment in capital isn't necessarily for productive use, but rather simply making money off of the stolen government funds.

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Born in the USA, Raised in China - 10/13/16

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Born in the USA, Raised in China - 10/13/16

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/nyregion/24chinese.html?_r=0
Often times parents of immigrant children have to bear the burden of working to pay the bills and spend quality time in a new and increasingly expensive country. The growing phenomenon of Chinese immigrants sending their children back to China with relatives is being dubbed "Satellite Babies". The move is well intended, but obviously raises concerns about the children's mental well being, as well as reintegration once the child has returned.

Milton Friedman would underline this phenomenon to reinforce his perception of a flat globe. Getting a nice foothold in American society is obviously beneficial for many people; both parents and children. Citizenship is interchangeable and is not only limited to China. Many immigrants move and have children here to reap the benefits of US citizenship while bolstering our domestic workforce. Labor and capital moves fluidly across borders in this case, proving that there is truly one single division of labor with many cultures colliding working towards the same goal of upward economic mobility.

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Syria's War & Putin's Bombing Campaign - 9/30/16

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Syria's War & Putin's Bombing Campaign - 9/30/16

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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37507207
In a daunting turn of events, tables have turned on Syrian Rebels in the besieged city of Aleppo as Russia's Air Force pounds away at the Rebel held side of the city and its residents. Syria is essentially Putin's "toe-hold of influence in the region". As morbid as it may be, Syria is simply another pawn in the region in a decades-old hegemonic clash between "East" and "West". With NATO surrounding Russia in what it perceives as a potential take over, Moscow is essentially, and defiantly saying "no". The atrocities of this conflict are well documented and repeatedly make headlines, but understanding why is equally important and well documented in this article.

This is not at all meant to vindicate Russia's involvement in the conflict or the serious accusations claimed against them. Simply, it is to understand its position in the World and how these small periphery and sometimes semi-periphery states get caught up and used in the politics and economic relations. This could perhaps be used to extend Wallerstein's theory about the core and periphery states beyond the scope of economics. I would argue that sometimes Core periphery states use periphery and semi-periphery states as political and regional leverage to use as negotiation tools as well as economic ties to bolster its own position.

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High Voter Turnout in Hong Kong Highlights Hunger for Democracy

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High Voter Turnout in Hong Kong Highlights Hunger for Democracy

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- 9/10/16
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21706442-supporters-greater-independence-hong-kong-gain-foothold-citys-legislature-new
Hong Kong is one of the few regions with relative autonomy within an otherwise centrally planned state. Because of record turnout (58%) in their latest election the so called pan-Democrats of the region, now equipped with so called "radicals",  have gained Veto power against pro-establishment politicians made up of mainly businessmen. While the system is set up to only allow a slight minority via universal suffrage, it sends a clear message that the population is fed up with the current regime.

Economies in East Asian countries such as China, Singapore, and South Korea prioritize heavy government involvement in order to drive their respective economies forward. Western style Democracy is put in the back burner; and especially in China, is heavily frowned upon. It is clear that the younger, more educated generation is yearning for more involvement in their city's future, and perhaps even China's as a whole. The spread or containment of this sentiment may decide whether China will be friend or foe in the coming years.