THE ITHACAN

The border war dividing Sudan

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • April 26, 2012

Both the United Nations and the African Union turned their gaze toward Sudan and South Sudan last week. The organizations condemned South Sudan’s military advances and Sudan’s air raids over the oil-rich border town of Heglig, calling for both countries to settle their differences over the territory peacefully. Reducing the border dispute and conflict down…

Playing chess with Myanmar

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • April 12, 2012

Elections in Myanmar last week brought drastic change to a nation previously under authoritarian military rule. But the elections mark just as much domestic as diplomatic reform. And geopolitically, these changes are significant to the United States and China’s game plans in the region. Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy…

Pakistan wants a U.S. apology

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • March 29, 2012

Pakistan’s parliament demanded last week that the United States issue an official apology regarding NATO air strikes over Pakistan last November that killed two-dozen Pakistani soldiers. It also called for the ending of drone attacks over their territory.

Before the calm comes a storm

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • March 8, 2012

Last week, the unprecedented happened. North Korea announced the suspension of their uranium enrichment and nuclear missile testing programs. This indicates a huge stride not only in engaging one of the world’s notoriously least negotiable nations, but also in regarding the United States’ nuclear containment agenda.

Syria proposals face roadblock

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • February 23, 2012

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s crackdowns on local protestors are attracting attention worldwide. The United Nations and the Arab League have drawn up proposals to address the issue, but have been met with resistance from the Syrian government as well as China and Russia, who vetoed a resolution condemning the Assad regime earlier this month.

Time to rethink Iranian policy

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • February 9, 2012

Last month, Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Roshan died when a motorcyclist sped by and tossed a bomb at the scientist’s car. This is the fourth Iranian nuclear scientist to be killed by a passing motorcyclist in two years. Iran blames the U.S. and Israel, citing the nations’ intense mistrust of Iran’s nuclear program. These significantly…

Enabling peace is crucial in Iraq

By Shaza Elsheshtawy • January 26, 2012

Just as promised, the last of the U.S. troops were pulled out of Iraq on Dec. 18 and home in time for Christmas. But this picture-perfect, happy-ending rhetoric shrouds the fact that this is not a peaceful ending for Iraq yet. Military force alone has not provided the mechanisms for Iraq to build a lasting…

Language dorms’ presence grows

By Shaza Elsheshtawy, Contributing Writer • September 1, 2010

“Buenos días,” “Bon après-midi” and “Gute Nacht” — or good morning, good afternoon and good night in Spanish, French and German, respectively — are greetings that are becoming less and less foreign on campus. As the language communities’ presence continues to grow, these phrases grow louder.