Paul Oliver

Bio

Paul lives and works in the nation's capital where he enjoys an up-close view of politics. He writes most weeks in the World section.

Quran Burning in Afghanistan Proof That NATO Should Withdraw

Last week, in Afghanistan, a small act of carelessness or blatant disrespect – it doesn’t really matter at this point which one it was – resulted in the burning of Qurans and incited protests throughout Afghanistan. Now it looks like the Koran…

America Should Avoid Conflict in Syria, Where Political Risks Outweigh Humanitarian Interests

Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other world leaders met in Tunisia to discuss options to stop the brutal violence gripping Syria. Little was accomplished except for the issuing of strong statements against the regime of President…

Renewed Protests and Lawlessness in Egypt Can Help Reformers

The riots that erupted last week during an Egyptian soccer match in Port Said were the latest aftershocks in the Egyptian revolution. The deadly violence – 74 killed and more than 1,000 injured – reminded everyone of the peak tensions in last year’s…

One Year After Revolution, Egypt's Military Remains the Biggest Challenge to Democracy

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Egyptian revolution that ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and resulted in new parliamentary elections. The past year was a roller coaster of emotions and drama fit for the big screen.…

Obama Administration's New Defense Strategy is a Long Overdue Win for U.S. Foreign Policy

Last Thursday, President Obama traveled to the Pentagon to announce a new defense strategy that meets the challenges and realities of the 21st century. The purpose of the strategy is twofold: To adapt the U.S. military to the changing geopolitical…

Put Out An APB For George W. Bush, He's a Wanted Man

Last week, Amnesty International released a press statement urging the governments of Zambia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia to arrest former President George W. Bush during his visit to Africa. Bush was overseas to raise awareness of cervical and breast…

Why Foreign Policy is Important for 2012 Election Cycle

The word of the year is “crisis.” Debt crisis. Jobs crisis. Budget crisis. Nuclear crisis. Famine crisis. Institutional crisis. Global warming crisis. Moral crisis. The list could go on and on. Wherever we look, we see too much of one thing and not…

Finding 21st Century Strategies for 21st Century War

The Iraq War is about to end. Osama bin Laden and dozens of other Al-Qaeda operatives are dead. NATO successfully intervened to protect civilians and aid in the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. This is a string of success that former President George…

Euro Zone Negotiations Are Model For U.S. Political Compromise

Last week, the Slovakian parliament voted in favor of a bill that grants more powers to the European Financial Stability Facility, the fund largely responsible for mitigating the European debt crisis. The vote reversed a decision from two days…

Getting Gaddafi Will Help the West Leave Libya

It seems like the conflict in Libya will never end. If you are like me, you are probably asking yourself, “How hard can it be to find Gaddafi? How many bombs must be dropped, how many days of fighting around Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte?” But in…

Questions of Awlaki Citizenship Difficult to Answer in a Stateless War

Last week's killing of Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki was another major blow to al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks. It was a sign of the effective, though controversial, use of American drone attacks in counterterrorism efforts around the globe.…

Going At It Alone in the Middle East Peace Process

This week, the Palestinian delegation to the UN will request full recognition of statehood, a status long denied for the territories. And as with any diplomatic event involving Israel and Palestine, controversy abounds. American and Israeli…

6 Reasons Why the Libya Intervention Was a Success

As the rebel overthrow of the Gaddafi regime in Libya nears completion, the intervention by a multinational military force looks more and more like a success. The decision by the United States and many of its NATO allies to intervene in the Libyan…

The Shortcomings of Social Media in Democracy Building

English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote in the 19th century that the pen is mightier than the sword. The same could be said for social media in the 21st century. As former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine…

Camp David in Crisis? Hardly

Last Thursday, the Israeli military accidentally killed five members of the Egyptian security forces during a border shootout. The army was retaliating against attacks by Gaza-based militants who killed eight Israelis and wounded 30 others. While…

Mubarak's Trial: Justice or Distraction in Egypt?

The trial against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak began last week among widespread protest and international media attention. The Mubarak trial is another major milestone in the Egyptian revolution that resulted not only in the ouster of…

What if Anders Breivik Were a Muslim?

Anders Behring Breivik is an archetype of terrorism. He is a non-state actor who committed an attack against a non-military target for political means. It is difficult to understand how a citizen of one of the most peaceful, wealthy, and equitable…

Somalian Famine Increases Piracy Threat

Somalia is currently experiencing its worst famine in 60 years. Thousands of Somali refugees are fleeing across the border to Kenya and Ethiopia every day, overwhelming aid workers and putting a strain on already overpopulated refugee camps. Images…

Egyptian Protestors Are Winning A Battle Of Will

Egypt’s courts are fanning the flames of revolution. After appealing to reformers by mandating the dissolution of municipal councils, the courts reversed their trend last week with two highly controversial decisions. First, a court decided to…

Local Governments Help Build Egyptian Democracy

The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) of Egypt ruled last week that municipal councils would be dissolved and new elections held later this year. As a result, some 52,000 seats in local government will be filled during the next election cycle…