BU Now » United States

Israel eases Gaza blockade

Dick Taffe — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:43:12 +0000

Israel announced a relaxation of the 3-year-old blockade of Gaza, promising to ease the importation of some goods by land but not offering to lift its navel embargo. The move came weeks after Israeli commandos killed nine people on an aid flotilla trying to breach the blockade. International relations Professor Augustus Richard Norton, author of “Hezbollah: A Short History” and authority on Middle East politics, says if Israel was serious about improving the living conditions in Gaza, it would stop preventing the exports of agricultural goods and allow the strip’s simple manufacturing sector to resume making and selling everyday essentials.

“This latest decision is an arrogant in-your-face to the U.S. and other concerned members of the international community. Watch the U.S. government spokespersons’ reaction. If they commend Israel, then you may heavily discount Obama’s commitment to Middle East peacemaking.”

Contact Agustus Richard Norton, 617-353-7808, arn@bu.edu

Arizona fighting the 14th Amendment

Dick Taffe — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:49:13 +0000

On the heels of passing a controversial law involving screening illegal immigrants, the Arizona legislature is considering a bill that would deny citizenship to children of illegal immigrants, despite the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that specifically grants naturalized citizenship to such children. Law Professor Susan Akram, an authority on immigration law, says getting such a law into constitutionally shape would mean having to amend the U.S. Constitution — which requires a two-thirds majority of both houses and approval by three-quarters of the states.

“Although Arizona’s effort to restrict the guarantees or benefits of birthright citizenship is by no means the first effort of its kind — and not likely to be the last — it has a very slim chance of passing constitutional muster.”

Contact Susan Akram, 617-358-3060, smakram@bu.edu

U.S., Jordan in nuke-power talks

Dick Taffe — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:55:57 +0000

The U.S. and Jordan, it’s closest Arab ally in the region, reportedly are negotiating a nuclear-cooperation agreement that would let American firms expert nuclear components and know-how to Jordan — but won’t allow Jordan to produce its own nuclear fuel. International relations Professor William Keylor, author of “A World of Nations: The International Order Since 1945,” says the deal must balance Jordan’s right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to produce its own fuel and the U.S. interest in not angering Israel or risk a Mideast arms race.

“The controversy will have to be resolved through compromise if the NPT is to retain its credibility and the Middle East is to be spared a headlong rush to develop national civilian nuclear industries.”

Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu

Geithner urges global financial reform

Dick Taffe — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:59:56 +0000

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is visiting with his European counterparts to say that the U.S. and Europe broadly agree on the need to reform the financial system but that global cooperation is needed. Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law and a former counsel to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, says Geithner should be doing less lecturing and more listening in Europe in that the U.S. right now has only a “deeply flawed” legislative proposal to show as its response to the financial crisis.

“The better posture for the U.S. to strike on the international stage would be a willingness to cooperate with ongoing reform initiatives by the G-20, the Financial Stability Board, and others.”

Contact Cornelius Hurley, 617-353-5427, ckhurley@bu.edu