Thanks for supporting HMQ! I loved doing the show, and really appreciate all the guests taking the time to talk with us. I had a really tough choice when I was approached with a great opportunity to get some new things on my broadcasting resume. I wish I could continue with HMQ but unfortunately, that is not how these things work. Thanks again to everyone who contributed and everyone who supported the show.

December 28

It is the last show of 2008 and it has been a crazy year. Unfortunately, a food crisis which would have happened irrespective of the banking and housing crises has coincided with the slowdown in the financial markets. Cornell University Professor Norman Uphoff has worked as a consultant for the World Bank, USAID, the United Nations, and the Ford Foundation- just to name a few of his accomplishments. He’s written several books, and you may have read about his work on increasing rice yields in the New York Times or the International Herald Tribune.  He’s going to tell us whether or not the pursuit of alternative sources of fuel is really to blame for wheat shortages, whether or not papers like BusinessWeek should be printing the assertion that the rice shortage is completely artificial, and much more.

Sarkozy’s time as the head of the EU is coming to an end, and it has been probably the most high-profile EU presidency to date.  If we thought that was interesting to watch, it’s likely nothing compared to what is to comewith this rotation as Czech President Vaclav Klaus- who is famously known as "the rudest man in Europe”- will be taking over. Maybe that is why rumors have been flying about initiatives to streamline the powers of the three main EU pillars and give the position to Tony Blair.  EU expert Robert Pahre will tell us whether or not this is a realistic possibility or a ploy to sell newspapers and how domestic politics will shape the EU in 2009.

December 21

For the first time in fourteen years the party of Nelson Mandela in South Africa faces a serious challenger at the polls. Many in the West’s media have determined that this is a good sign, signaling more public engagement in the political process. I want to know what Louise Bourgoult, media and Africa expert of Northern Michigan University thinks and whether or not she believes that the recent criticisms leveled against the ANC administration are fair.  We will also talk to her about her research on the media’s role in the AID’s crisis in Africa.

This week several international newspapers chronicled the hit that Latin America has taken as a result of the global crisis in the financial markets. Usually we think of economies which export manufactured goods as well-positioned, but should what is going on now give us pause regarding the merits of economies which rely on man-made exports? Ambassador Bruno of USA Group International served as ambassador to Belize under Clinton.  He will discuss this as well as the uptick in migration and the legal and political ramifications all over the globe as people venture farther from home searching for opportunities to work.

December 14

This week, riots in Greece exploded on a new level. Disgruntled Athenians have erupted in violent protests several times in the last few months, but not like this. Also this week, Kosovo’s peace process seems to be hiccupping a little and catching headlines again.  UVM’s William Wechsler will talk about these stories, as well as Germany’s domestic problems and how they may affect Berlin’s balancing act between its relationship with its neighbors and its relationship with Moscow.

I’ve got more questions on Africom. The commonly written assumption that Washington desperately wants to find a host country for the command on the African continent but can’t even though Liberia has openly welcomed the initiative leaves me wondering. Reports always stop short of explaining what disqualifies Liberia.  Additionally, a common critique of the command is that the presence of a unilateral force will stir local resent. While NATO initiatives fly well domestically (here), I want to know if Africans would really make any distinction between a NATO soldier and an Africom soldier. Daniel Volman is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Concerned Africa Scholars and the director of The African Security Research Project in Washington D.C. We’ll call him and I will pose these questions and more.

December 7

Chavez was just reelected in a state in which he controls the media and disqualifies political opponents. Eliza Willis has been published in the Journal of Latin American Studies, Latin American Research Review and World Politics. She’s going to tell us why she believes Chavez’s campaign could have succeeded without such interference and tell us why we should be more concerned about Caracas’ relationship with Moscow than its relationship Beijing.

China’s presence in Africa is growing, and this week as there were more reports of Chinese victims of kidnapping on the continent pundits wondered whether or not Beijing will begin to rethink the benefits of its aims in the region. Ambassador Shinn formerly served as the Director for East African Affairs, spending 37 years serving U.S. Department of State. In the past he’s said that China enjoys a very good reputation in Africa. I want to know if that has changed in the past year in light of recent events, and I’ll ask him what is going to stop China’s reputation in Africa from devolving into a duplicate of what it is in Burma and the Philippines

November 30

This week the world watched in horror as terrorists executed a sophisticated attack on the Taj Palace hotel targeting Americans, British, and Jewish victims- killing some and holding others hostage for three days. Dr. Choksy last stayed in the Taj in August of this year. He’ll discuss the likelihood that this tragedy will spark sectarian violence in Mumbai (also his home town), and I’ll ask him if he expects that this will have far reaching political consequences- perhaps for example, on the upcoming Livni-Netanyahu race - similar to the way 9-11 arguably aided the elections of hardliners across the globe everywhere from Australia to Germany to the US and more.

OPEC met yesterday but failed to come up with a firm plan for reductions- which is nice- but they are scheduled to meet again in one month.  How hard will our wallets be hit in December? And how much, if any, political clout do they really have right now over big non-OPEC producers like Russia? Wayne Moyer is the Director of the Rosenfield Public Affairs Program at Grinnell College and he will answer these questions and more.

Alice Hashim has been published in several journals including the Peace Review. She’s been studying Somalia for over a decade and she will weigh in on how she believes the world should react to the piracy problem around the Gulf of Aden.

November 23

Robert Grey joins us this afternoon to talk about everything that was in the news this week: from how the rest of the world including NATO (and Germany in particular) will react to the stepped up hostility between Russia and Ukraine being played out in their oil transactions, to the ever controversial Africom initiative and the ongoing debate over ethnical aid distribution which was brought to the forefront this week by the publication of a Spanish think-tank.

Unable to get ahold of our scheduled guest, we played previously recorded but still relevant segment analyzing Israel’s current political contest which will be resolved in February: “This week Israel has moved their elections from the scheduled date in 2010 to February of ’09.  The newer Kadima party could suffer because of the scandals surrounding Olmert; and if Israeli’s are feeling uneasy regarding security issues, Benjamin Netanyahu could defeat Ms. Levni and reclaim power for his party.  Rabbi Edward Freidman serves the Jewish Federation of NH from the Manchester Temple Israel. He will explain the differences in Israel’s political system which have allowed for the rescheduling of elections and discuss what message Israelis will be sending if they elect Livni vs Barak or Netanyahu.”

November 16

Power sharing in Zimbabwe is not working.  Kenya is regularly touted as evidence that these arrangements can be successful, even though there is trouble on the horizon in Nairobi.  Is it possible to come back from two million percent inflation? South Africa is attracting widespread criticism for not putting real pressure on Mugabe and I want to know if- with everything else on S.A.’s plate right now- that is a fair critique.  James Hentz is Professor and Chair of the Department of International Studies and Political Science at the Virginia Military Institute and what he says about getting Robert Mugabe out of the picture may surprise you.

Yesterday the G20 commenced a much anticipated summit in Washington.  I’ll ask Dr. Howard Stein, author of "Beyond the World Bank: An Institutional Approach to Development," whether he perceives the potential for some real work to get done or if he foresees a lot of political posturing and not much else. He’ll also discuss whether or not Stiglitz's controversial comments accusing the IMF of performing the bidding of the US government were fair.

November 9

Canada has managed to fit three elections into a four year time span, and may be gearing up for another one shortly.  Predictably, voter fatigue is setting in and polls are showing that Canadians are becoming less engaged in the political process. Between that and the fact that the Canadian system facilitates the elections of politicians with approval ratings well below 40 percent, I wonder if our friends to the north will pursue any adjustments to their system.  It’s not likely, and the head of the Canadian Studies program at UVM Paul Martin will tell us why.

The last time we talked to Pakistani expert and friend of HMQ Sahar Shafqat, she bluntly emphasized that whenever anything goes wrong in either Pakistan or India the finger pointing is invariably across the border at one another. Since then Pakistan has suffered from a devastating earthquake and in an even more shocking development, last week bombs went off simultaneously in several popular Indian marketplaces creating a very not-natural disaster.  I’ll ask Professor Shafqat whether or not cross-border attitudes soften in the face of such incredible suffering and ask her to really explain the details of just how visceral the rhetoric is around typical Pakistani and Indian kitchen tables- especially at a time like this.

The Congo has dominated the headlines this week.  The conflict once thought to have wound down permanently or indefinitely has roared back with a renewed vigor few saw coming.  The questions is, why did so few see it coming? What does it mean for (and possibly about) the government in Rwanda and is it possible to quite literally stop the bleeding before the problem creates a domino effect throughout the region? Tom Turner, professor of political science at the National University of Rwanda and the author of FPIP policy brief “War in the Congo,” will answer this and more.

November 2

This week Israel has moved their elections from the scheduled date in 2010 to February of ’09.  The newer Kadima party could suffer because of the scandals surrounding Olmert; and if Israeli’s are feeling uneasy regarding security issues, Benjamin Netanyahu could defeat Ms. Levni and reclaim power for his party.  Rabbi Edward Freidman serves the Jewish Federation of NH from the Manchester Temple Israel. He will explain the differences in Israel’s political system which have allowed for the rescheduling of elections and discuss what message Israelis will be sending if they elect Livni vs Barak or Netanyahu.

Japan is feeling the squeeze of the economic crisis and some have said that they are suffering from a disaster to which they did not contribute.  But some point to excessive borrowing on Tokyo’s part and claim that it may be the biggest factor in the hardship the Japanese people are experiencing. Dr. James Hartley is the author of "The Representative Agent in Macroeconomics" and serves as a professor of econ at Mount Holyoke College in Mass. He will discuss the political pressure on Japan to keep up with China’s promises to aid smaller Asian markets, and answer questions regarding the fact that it is yet to be seen how Tokyo will adjust.

October 26

October 19, 2008

As the financial crisis rages on, the EU seems to be stepping up its efforts to attract highly skilled and educated immigrants, while the United States continues to shy away from welcoming foreigners. I asked former Ambassador Bruno about the annual immigration lottery going on right now and to weigh in on why we in America react so differently to immigration issues than The European Union and Canada.

Tensions among EU members seemed to peak this summer when the Lisbon Treaty was shot down by the Irish. Now, the Union faces new internal turmoil as members seek to point fingers and protect their own state economies from the worst of the financial crisis. Mark Allen, author of Prague Symphony: A Requiem for the Cold War talks about what he thinks should be (but aren’t) the leading considerations in any discourse on the EU and  what he says is in the forefront of the minds of the Czech people and ought to garner more attention here in the states. (Russia)

October 12, 2008

SNHU economics professor David Fehr weighs in on the current financial turmoil and UNH grant recipient Caitlin Baummer discusses one of the most vulnerable demographics in the United States economy- the Appalachians of West Virginia.

October 5, 2008

Enjoy the Patriots Game!

September 28

Many major news stories cropped up while HMQ was on break.  Several stories revolved around Pakistan, including the tragedy at the Marriott, the beginning weeks of Bhutto’s husband’s presidency, and what some are calling a short war which was fought between the United States and Pakistan.  (Pakistan’s official position is that on their part, only flares were shot.) Sahar Shafqat is a professor of Political Science at Saint Mary’s College of Maryland. She recently spent six months in Pakistan, participated in the lawyer’s movement and was in the country during the turmoil surrounding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.  In light of the new developments of the past three weeks, she and I will continue our ongoing conversation on Pakistan.

In addition to new developments in Pakistan, huge and unfortunate news stories which arose during HMQ’s break include the US financial crisis.  Dr. Karen Spohn teaches economics and finance in Rivier’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Her research interests include economic forecasting, corporate governance and executive compensation and she is going to help us sort out which of the reported looming possibilities are legitimate and which have been exaggerated.

Three Week Break for Patriots Season

August 31

The last time we talked with Professor Bartlette we discussed the failure of countries- including Japan who is self imposing new and bigger standards, to live up to the original Kyoto. With stories emerging this month that say other states including Canada and Australia wont meet their commitments, we’ll discuss his view that the US is not vindicated and should have signed. Additionally, we will discuss a curious story in the Washington Post which states that Colorado is the first state to mandate renewable-energy use at the ballot box.

There is a lot of talk right now about Argentina’s growth bubble bursting and bursting in a big way here soon.  Stephanie Seguino’s worked as a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), and the World Bank, and her research focuses on the disproportionate benefits of rapid growth and decline on women as opposed to men. She’ll tell us what she foresees for the women of Argentina, as well as discussing regions of recent rapid growth in Asia and elsewhere.

Tony Blair recently wrote a piece on China which appeared in The Wall Street Journal which was peppered with grandiose declarations regarding progress.  While they may be true, they were grossly unsupported by the anecdotes he attempted to match with the claims. Chris Reardon, author of The Reluctant Dragon, and research associate at the John K. Fairbanks Center for East Asian Research at Harvard will weigh in on how accurate a picture he feels Blair paints as well as offering insight into some of the recent rumblings regarding Taiwan’s relationship with Beijing.

August 24

There has been quite a bit of talk about institutions like the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “investing” in Georgia but what about private business interests? Will the events of the past week serve to scare off investors in not only Georgia but the rest of struggling Eastern Europe (like new WTO member state, Ukraine) or was there no chance for much of that as it was? Eastern European economies expert Michael G.J. Cain from Saint Mary’s College will join us to answer this and more.

Syria appears to be on a roll of positive diplomatic endeavors with both its Arab and Israeli neighbors as well as the Western world. But this week the Economist accused it of clandestinely creating problems (in Lebonon in particular) just so that it can be seen trying to help solve said problems. Is this a fair criticism? Dr. Tahir Shad of Washington College weighs in.

August 17, 2008

Bill Wechsler of the political science department at UVM weighs in on the events in Georgia which have shocked some people but drawn an “I-told-you-so” from others.

Sahar Shafqat of Saint Mary’s College in Maryland and I continue our ongoing discussion about Pakistan. While she has incredible credentials with which to offer perscritptions, I remain skeptical of the idea the current and next US administrations have any really good options, or that there is any possible next move which will not draw criticism from every side.

Colonel Ingram of the political science department at UNH weighs in on Russia’s recent behavior and what he sees as incomplete media coverage over the past two weeks. What he has to say may surprise you.

August 10, 2008

Lately, it is not uncommon to hear parallels unfavorable to the United States drawn between the way things work here and the way our neighbors to the north conduct business.  Are such praises warranted? Is Canada getting right what we are getting wrong? University of Maine professor and Canadian politics expert Howard Cody will give us a candid look at some of the trends and challenges our friends over the border are grappling with that you don’t here about every day.

Over the past half-year Zimbabwe has been the site of the most unfortunate type of violence.  A formerly democratically elected head of state has declared war on his own people in light of losing his bid for reelection and the world has been too busy dealing with the likes of Bashir and others to do anything about it.  It was reported that even China- not known as a shining influence in the region- banned Mugabe from attending the opening ceremony of the Games in Beijing this week. University of Maine professor James Warhola will tell us more about what he thinks the world should do moving forward and what results- if any- we can expect to see in the days to come if international actors take a hard line with the rouge leader.

Musharraf made big news this week. It appears he is facing impeachment. Although he certainly has made some epic missteps, the Economist seems to suggest he may be somewhat of a scapegoat for Pakistan’s woes which are far beyond his doing or control.  Sahar Shafqat recently spent six months in Pakistan. She participated in the lawyer’s movement, was in the country the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and watched Musharraf don his military uniform for a short but toxic stint. She will tell us how much of the country’s turmoil she believes can be blamed on the embattled president, and how much of it is simply out of his hands.  

August 3, 2008

There has been much ado about the maybe current recession and constant debate over the value of the bump achieved by the stimulus package recently introduced to our slumping economy.  Professor Elane McCrate of the Economics department at UVM will talk about the value of the so-called “booster-shot” and weigh in on the wisdom of Congress’s notion of administering a second dose.

Race relations in the United States has been the dominating topic of discussion this year. It is widely presumed that America is light years behind our socially progressive counterparts in Europe. But Erik Bleich, Harvard alum and political science professor at Middlebury College in Maine has written a paper about race relations in France which may indicate otherwise. Could it be that the trajectory of French political policies is moving toward mimicking US style affirmative action- something that until now, Europeans have largely looked down upon?

Ashley Esarey is a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. She’s going to tell us whether or not she thinks that the Olympics should have been held in China this year. Will the Games serve to enhance the lives of the Chinese people by drawing attention to the realities of the police state as some had hoped they would do, or has the added attention actually led to a crackdown by the administration?

July 27, 2008

Historical research writer Holly Lafond discusses the article she wrote for the UNH Inquiry Journal regarding the role women have played in America's wars. The interview will focus primarily on the research she conducted concerning the Iraq war, but you can read the rest of this fascinating article by going to the Links and Events page and clicking on the UNH Inquiry Journal Online.

Ambassador Bruno will make his third contribution to the show. This time he will discuss his specialty. As an immigration lawyer, Ambassador Bruno is greatly concerned with the decreased possibility of gaining citizenship as well as the increasingly protracted process of reentrance for those of us who have simply taken a trip. He will debunk some immigration “myths” as he calls them and give us his take on the consequences to the country and to NH if these trends continue.

July 20, 2008

Professor Matthew Carlson of the UVM Political Science Department discusses the advantages and disadvantages of holding the Olympics in Beijing. Will it best serve the Chinese people by motivating the regime to step up human rights standards or will it only serve to perpetuate the myths set out in China Daily and contribute to a sense of hopelessness for those who have been mistreated?

This week, the ICC brought charges against Bashir, and in light of this new development, Professor Kenneth Rodman of Colby College follows up on the interview he gave us on June 8th, when he discussed the then breaking story of the breakdown in the Sudanese North-South agreement and China’s role in the on-going violence.

July 13, 2008

Chair of Saint Mary’s College’s poiltical science department Dr. Michael JG. Cain discusses the recent controversies surrounding the World Bank, the future of its role in world affairs, and offers his prescription for the Bank moving forward.

Fulbright scholar and Florida University Professor Paul A. Kowert discusses Japanese politics and the growing movement to amend Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, which allows only a defense force. 

July 6, 2008

UNH International Research Opportunities Program grant recipient Emily Kennedy Roberts talks about Ugandan politics, gender equality in Africa, and gives us a candid take on how effectively aid is being distributed in the region.  You can read more about her time in Africa in the UNH Inquiry Journal online.

Brenden Kelly, chair of the NH Libertarian Party gives his prescription for the health problems Americans are experiencing as a result of imported toys and salmonella tomatoes.

Sahar Shafqat spent the last six months in Pakistan. She participated in the lawyer’s movement and was in the country during the turmoil surrounding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. She discusses the lawyer’s movement and what she views as America’s role in Pakistan. 

June 29, 2008

This week, North Korea blew up a cooling tower. Ambassador George Bruno, formerly the US ambassador to Belize, gives us his take on the sincerity of the gesture.

Professor Bill Wechsler of UVM talks about the future of the EU in the wake of Irelands referendum rejection of the Lisbon treaty.

June 22, 2008

Colonel Ingram discusses Chinese domestic politics. China surprised everyone this week when it announced that it would raise domestic fuel prices. What impact, if any, will this have on international economics? What impact will it have on Chinese domestic politics?

This week, Isreal and Hamas announced a ceasefire. Mount Holyoke’s Vincent Ferraro discusses the ceasefire, tells us how long he expects it will hold, and who is most likely to cause a rupture in relations. He draws parallels between the current cease-fire and Isreal’s ceasefire with Hezbollah a few years ago which he wrote a paper on entitled, “A Ceasefire Won’t Get Israel What it Wants.”  He also discusses Egypt’s role in mediating the talks and the changing relationships in the region as a whole.

June 15, 2008

Harvard’s Professor Erik Werker discusses aid distribution and the ways in which similar types of programs which are used to improve living conditions in our inner cities may be wise to implement in foreign aid initiatives.

Justin Burke, editor of Eurasianet.org discusses Turkish domestic politics, the ramifications of EU rejection of the country’s interest in membership years ago, and whether or not Turkey is still interested in integration.

June 8, 2008

Justin Burke, editor of Eurasianet.org, online political journal which provides information and analysis about political, economic, environmental and social developments in the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as in Russia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia discusses Iranian politics.

Colby’s Professor Kenneth Rodman discusses the breakdown in the Sudanese North-South agreement and China’s role in the on-going violence, and the future of Sino-American relations.

Ambassador George Bruno, formerly the US ambassador to Belize, gives us his take on Columbia-Venezuelan relations in the wake of Interpol’s announcement that the laptops seized from the FARC not tampered with.

June 1, 2008

Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies and UVM’s Professor Saleem Ali discusses Peace Parks, and the Madrassah’s of Pakistan. You can/should catch his regular column in Pakistan's Daily Times, his web-log at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and his blog at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

Colonel Ingram of the political science department at UNH discusses Russian politics in the wake of their presidential elections, and the US-Russian tensions over a proposed “anit-missile defense system” in Poland or the Czech Republic.

May 25, 2008

UVM’s Professor Robert Bartlette discusses the Kyoto Protocol. Japan hasn’t met their standards from the last protocol, so why are they setting even higher goals this time around? Will anyone take Kyoto seriously a second time around, and has the US been vindicated for its refusal to sign?

UVM’s Professor William Wechsler discusses Gordon Brown’s popularity problem and the odd resurgence of social conservatism in Britain.