#nlcsglobalforum

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Source 8. The future of Trump's 'America First' foreign policy

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/trump-syria-airstrike-assad-putin-russia-syria-america-first-bannon-kushner-580899

Link: http://www.edition.cnn.com/2017/04/14/politics/donald-trump-military-afghanistan/

Link: http://www.enca.com/opinion/trumps-learning-curve-syria-north-korea-and-lessons-from-the-cuban-missile-crisis

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Discussion 8. The future of Trump's 'America First' foreign policy

Some say that the recent U.S. airstrikes in Syria mean the death of Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy. Others say it is nothing but a show of force to improve Trump’s low approval ratings, or to dismiss his image as more of a ‘Russia First’ president. Anyway, Trump’s attack on Syria has received applause from both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party and is shifting the U.S.’ focus to outside the U.S. What is your opinion on the future of Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy? What does it mean for his 'America First' ideology to use US millitary power in Syria and Afghanistan?

You can go to the "Resources" section and click on Source 08. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Source 7. Has Globalization Come to an End?

Globalization As We Know It Is Over

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/28/era-globalisation-brexit-eu-britain-economic-frustration

Chinese President Xi Jinping: No One Can Win a Trade War

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/17/news/economy/china-xi-jinping-world-economic-forum-davos/

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Discussion 7. Has Globalization Come to an End?

The recent global economic downturn and widening wealth disparity between the developing and developed worlds have resulted in the resurgence of protectionism across the international community. As witnessed by Brexit, the refugee crisis in Europe, the highly-closed foreign policies of Donald Trump in the U.S., and the growing number of protectionist trade measures by nations, the values and benefits of globalization are currently being called into question.  

What is your opinion on the prospects of globalization in the future? Do you believe that this global phenomenon has come to a timely end, or will it continue to be pursued by many in the world? Why or why not?

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 07. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Source 06. Moral Dilemma of Developing Countries

We Need Stronger Laws to Prevent Pollution

Link: http://saudigazette.com.sa/opinion/voices/need-stronger-laws-prevent-pollution/

Why is Climate-Conscious Vietnam Choosing Coal over Nuclear?

Link: http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/business/article/2053399/why-climate-conscious-vietnam-choosing-coal-over-nuclear

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Discussion 06. Moral Dilemma of Developing Countries

With the growing emphasis of the international community upon worldwide environmental protection and preservation, developing countries are confronted with a rather challenging conflict - whether they should pursue economic development at the expense of the environment or if they should compromise the pace and level of their economic development for environmental protection. The differing perspectives on this matter in accordance to the level of development previously achieved by different countries (i.e. developed nations prefer environmental protection as economic development in their nation has been relatively well-achieved) is newly emerging as a cause of controversy and disagreement within the international arena today.

What is your opinion on the development path of underdeveloped countries that have recently begun their development? Should the priority be placed on the countries' economic development or environmental protection, and why? Is it fair for the international community to demand China or India, for exapmle, to adopt strict environmental policies when the first world spent decades polluting the planet? Or should the first world provide aid to the developing world on this issue; if so, to what extent? 

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 06. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Source 05. Colossal Failure or Success of Democracy?

Don’t Let Ignorant People Vote

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/12/granderson.ignorant.vote/

Voter Suppression Laws: Political IQ Tests Would Ensure Citizens are Qualified to Vote

Link: https://mic.com/articles/15182/voter-suppression-laws-political-iq-tests-would-ensure-citizens-are-qualified-to-vote#.P0rpb5MJu

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Source 04. North Korean Defectors

탈북 미녀 박연미의 가슴 뭉클한 연설

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbFy_wsmyZA&feature=youtu.be

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Source 03. Burkini Dilemma

The Deep Colonial Roots of France’s Unveiling of Muslim Women

Link: http://fpif.org/deep-colonial-roots-frances-unveiling-muslim-women/

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Source 02. Nuclear Weapons & North Korea

Growing Nuclear, Missile Threats Stir Debate in U.S. over Korea’s Nuclear Armament

Link: http://khnews.kheraldm.com/view.php?ud=20160315000344&md=20160318004128_BL

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Source 01. “Brexit”

Ignore the Prophets of Doom. Brexit will be Good for Britain.

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/brexit-britain-property-bubble

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Discussion 05. Colossal Failure or Success of Democracy?

Donald Trump, against all odds, was claimed the victor of the U.S. Presidential Elections last week against Hilary Clinton. The U.S. polls have released data in the immediate aftermath of the elections that the majority of the populations that voted for Donald Trump this year constituted Americans whose highest degree of education ended at high school and did not possess any college degrees or higher education, which many found problematic. Given the controversy that the U.S. election results are causing across the globe (many claim it regrettable), in addition to the claims of empowered racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and hatred, do you believe that everybody really deserves an equal voting right in democratic countries? Should there be a political literacy (current events) test for citizens to meet certain standards to be able to vote? What are your thoughts? (Brexit can also be referred to!)

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 05. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think? 

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Discussion 04. North Korean Defectors

What is your opinion on the increasing number of North Korean defectors, and what are some mechanisms through which we can provide help?

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 04. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Discussion 03. Burkini Dilemma

Burkini by Zanetti

The burkini issue concerns a public controversy over allowing women of the Islam faith to wear a type of swimsuit that covers most of their body as an effort not to compromise their morality while enjoying their aquatic activities in public. Now, before we go any further and get into the issues, here’s a fun factoid. The word “burkini” is a portmanteau of burqa and bikini, and was designed by Aheda Zanetti, a Lebanese-born Australian fashion designer for Muslim women:

“Zanetti was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, and moved with her family to Australia when she was two years old. Zanetti first designed the hijood for Muslim girls to practice sports. In 2004, she launched a series of sportswear for Muslim women under the trademark Ahiida,and founded the company Ahiida Pty Ltd (AHIIDA). Under that brand, she has designed what she named the burqini (or burkini) for use by Muslim female swimmers. She estimates her sales at more than 700,000 garments since 2008. Burkini are registered trademarks owned by Zanetti's company, though they have become generic terms for similar forms of Islamic swimwear.”

The Controversy

Of course, as with any public dispute, it’s quite complicated, and I’m certainly not here to rehash all the argument points here on this post. What I want to do, however, is to simplify and introduce a new perspective on the issue. So here’s the burkini controversy in a nut shell:

“In August 2016, the mayor of Cannes banned the swimsuits, citing a possible link to Islamic extremism. At least 20 other French towns, including Nice subsequently joined the ban. Dozens of women were subsequently issued fines, with some tickets citing not wearing "an outfit respecting good morals and secularism", and some were verbally attacked by bystanders when they were confronted by the police. Enforcement of the ban also hit beachgoers wearing a wide range of modest attire besides the burkini. Media reported that in one case armed police forced a woman to remove her clothing on a beach in Nice. The Nice mayor's office denied that she was forced to do so and the mayor condemned what he called the "unacceptable provocation" of wearing such clothes in the aftermath of the Nice terrorist attack. 

The Irony

Basically, the French court banned the ban on burkini, and I suppose the leading argument that probably facilitated the decision was the constitutionality of the ban. In other words, you can’t tell a woman what she can or can’t wear ‘cuz that’s sexist!

Now, here’s the irony, and it gets really interesting. Loosely speaking, people who argue against the ban do so in order to promote gender equality and freedom by letting them wear the very garment whose design was influenced by a religious prescription which appears to circumscribe women’s rights and freedom. In other words, taking away women’s rights (imposing the ban) could have otherwise liberated those women, in a way, I guess…This gets more interesting because you then have to research and investigate what burka is and why women wear it. Well, I will leave that up to you the readers, and perhaps one of you can enlighten us. I guess the biggest question is “are Muslim women required to wear burka or is it a choice?”

Do you believe that states have the right to ban certain religious garments, such as the burqas? 

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 03. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Discussion 02. Nuclear Weapons & North Korea

Confronted with a new era of nuclear weapons, can international cooperation really resolve the nuclear threats of North Korea? To what extent do you believe that South Korea should develop nuclear arms of its own? Why or why not? 

You can go to the “Resources” section and click on Source 02. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below! What do you think?

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Discussion 01. “Brexit”

"Brexit will be good for Britain." To what extent would you agree with this statement, and why? 

You can go to the “Resources” secton and click on Source 01. for more in-depth information about this topic. Please share with us your thoughts in the comments box below!