Predictions for 2012

• War erupts between Sudan and South Sudan
• European debt crisis still an issue
• North and South Korea stay the same

AIC Conflix Final Thoughts - Response

After participating in the simulation I have gained greater insight on the Arab Israeli conflict. As USA, we played a vital role due to the size and power our country possesses. Having received news back from our NSA he seems to have enjoyed our work and feels we have done an amazing job in representing USA.

Representing Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state, my job was crucial to the success and progress of such an intricate political system such as that of the United States. In addition to communicating with other countries via email, I wrote up an action plan, entitled "USA's Support," that our NSA "found both insightful and responsible." In it I addressed USA's wish to dissuade Russia from supporting Syria and our plan of deploying American troops in Israel to help them fight against the invading Syrians in the Golan Heights. In response our NSA wrote that, "the action form was perfectly done and I was very excited to see it." Overall, I feel accomplished in our goal of rightfully representing USA and will put my new found knowledge to good use.

Belief - John Mayer

Is there anyone who
Ever remembers changing their mind from
The paint on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
Ever breaking rank at all
For something someone yelled real loud one time
Everyone believes
In how they think it ought to be
Everyone believes
And they're not going easily
Belief is a beautiful armor
But makes for the heaviest sword
Like punching under water
You never can hit who you're trying for
Some need the exhibition
And some have to know they tried
It's the chemical weapon
For the war that's raging on inside
Everyone believes
From emptiness to everything
Everyone believes
And no one's going quietly
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand
Belief can
Belief can
What puts the folded flag inside his mother's hand
Belief can
Belief can

In this song, John Mayer is saying that if everyone respected each other's beliefs then there would be no conflict and we could all live harmoniously, and essentially all be "winners." But as long as we believe that our needs should be put before others and that our country is better than another there will never be peace. No one really wins in any sort of war if we try winning through destruction and force.

In the News - Belarus' Democratic Dictatorship

Article definitions:
Centrist: a member of a political party of the Center; moderate


Why do you think Lukashenko gets away with leading such a corrupt government? Is there any possible solution for the Belarusian people to have a truly democratic nation?

Once someone is in power they have the world at their finger tips. Although Belarus is a democracy, Lukashenko runs it as a dictatorship, and he has the backing to be able to do so. Controlling the population is much easier to do when you pay the police off and basically have an army to throw anyone who opposes you into prison. And how can he be stopped if he's always in power? After all, he controls the vote; so whether he truly wins or loses, he always wins. The future looks dim and the hopes for a fair government seem far off; what are the citizens of Belarus to do... What can they do? Unfortunately, it seems as though nothing can stop the tyrannical ruling of Lukashenko. Protests don't work, new elections are corrupt, what else can be done? Belarus cannot become uncorrupt on its own, it requires the help of other countries and other, non-corrupt leaders. Political leaders from other nations need to see the injustice in this country and step in to mediate the situation to remove Lukashenko from power.

"Think twice, Canada, before attacking Tehran"

Article definitions:
Casus belli: a justification for acts of war
Post-facto: after the fact

Should Canada partake in a problem that doesn't directly affect them? Why fight a battle that isn't technically their war?

Hypothetically, if we were to compare the possible outcome of this war to the war between the US and Iraq, would the ends truly justify the means?

This information is based on sub-standard evidence; in your opinion, is it worth losing countless lives and spending immense amounts of money on, what can only be referred to as, a possibility?