The Monroe Doctrine and The Iran Nuclear Deal

When you feel threatened and you feel like someone is trying to take care of what’s yours, it is normal to act against it. These were main idea in the Monroe Doctrine by President James Monroe. The Monroe Doctrine was an American foreign policy regarding an end to European efforts trying to interfere with states and colonize land in both North and South America. The first lasting concept of the Doctrine were separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe. This meant that America and Europe are two separate regions that should not be same. Europe can do what they want and America can do what they want. Another main idea James Monroe stated was that there would be non-colonization in the western hemisphere. This meant that no new colonies in the western hemisphere could be developed but the old ones could continue to exist. The concepts of the Monroe Doctrine are still followed today in the many foreign policy issues that the US has.

It is hard to ignore that today, the United States has many foreign policy issues. One popular issue going on right now is the nuclear deal between Iran and six other countries.  These countries include the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, and Germany. The deal is about what laws will be made to Iran and their nuclear activities. Iran claims they are developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes but western countries seem to disagree. They believe that Iran is creating nuclear weapons as well and they all feel threatened. They do not think Iran can be trusted and that the statements they make about “peaceful purposes” are not true. The six countries want to put an end Iran’s nuclear development to make sure their people and land are safe. On the other hand, Iran says they want to be able to develop nuclear power just like every country. The deal has not been made and the decision time has been postponed to between March and July of 2015.

In response to the nuclear deal with Iran I believe that the United States is following the Monroe Doctrine concept of non-intervention and should continue doing so. Non-intervention means to not get involved in the affairs of others. In the Doctrine it means that the US will not get involved in other countries affairs unless they are threatened and it affects them directly. In this case, the United States is only getting involved because they are threatened by the nuclear weapons Iran is believed to have. The US is directly affected because if the nuclear weapons do exist, Iranians would use them on America. If the US was never threatened they would not have anything to do with this deal. The United States is pushing for an end to Iran’s nuclear power programs to keep America and it’s people safe. With a threat like nuclear weapons, how can a country just ignore it?

 




Sciutto, Jim, Nic Robertson Reported from Vienna; Holly Yan, and Ralph Ellis Wrote from Atlanta. Reza Sayah in Tehran. "New Iran Nuclear Talks Deadlines: March 1, July 1, 2015." CNN. Cable News Network, 24 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/24/world/meast/iran-nuclear-talks/index.html?iref=allsearch>.

Race and Identity in Latin American Revolutions and Today

                In April of 1810 a young officer in Caracas named Simón Bolívar joins the Juntas and right away expels the Spanish governor of the province of Venezuela. A year later, a National Assembly in Caracas declared Venezuela's independence which was later reversed when Spanish authorities regained control of the province. This was the first reverse of the many in the Latin American Revolution. Over two years time Bolívar proved himself worthy of support in Venezuela of 1813. After, Bolívar went to Caracas and was known as the Liberator and had political control with dictatorial powers. His power did not last long and the Spanish gain control again. Bolívar went back to Venezuela and started building a new army. In 1819 Bolívar and his 2500 men traveled through the Orinoco and over the Andes mountains. This surprise attack on Bogotá caused the Spanish army to surrender and the proclamation of the Republica de Colombia. Eventually the Republica de Colombia became a real free public after Bolívar wins a battle in Ecuador. Bolívar remained ruler until 1830 when he resigned. After he died, both Ecuador and Venezuela secede formally from Gran Colombia. Throughout the revolution Bolívar was trying to unite everyone no matter what their race was. He wanted everyone to unite based on their identity which is important to know about this revolution. These people were all very different and had extremely different backgrounds and cultures. The one thing that brought people together in Latin America during the revolution and the one thing all of these people had in common was that none of them were European.

Minnesota schools have made national news with their new disciplinary policy where minority students of color receive special review before being suspended from school according to an article dated November 24, 2014 by Bernadeia Johnson, “Critics Say My New Discipline Policy is Unfair to White Students.  Here’s Why They’re Wrong”.  The policy was made in order to decrease the disparity in school suspensions between white students and students of color because students of color have a higher suspension rate.  According to Johnson, “if students are not in school they can’t learn.”   The policy is not only aimed at decreasing disparity in suspensions but also in closing the achievement gap between white students and students of color.  In my opinion this article is identifying black students with bad behavior and bad grades and only reinforcing racial bias in our society.  However if the policy helps minority students of color follow school rules and perform better academically then the policy will be seen as a positive means in addressing racial inequality.  Only time will tell.  So far, suspensions have dropped 50 % in one year.  This article reflects that inequality in education of minorities in our country still exists in our public school systems and it is not only a problem in Minnesota.  It can be seen in public schools across America.  Society needs to make efforts to correct inequality in education which Minnesota schools are trying to do with their new disciplinary policy.

"Critics Say My New Discipline Policy Is Unfair to White Students. Here’s Why They’re Wrong." Washington Post. The Washington Post. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/11/26/critics-say-my-new-discipline-policy-is-unfair-to-white-students-heres-why-theyre-wrong/>.