May 31
When the “Arab Spring” began in mid-December, 2010, most of the news coverage was quite hopeful. North Africa would soon become democratic, which would be beneficial for the US, and life would rapidly improve for citizens who had been oppressed by dictators like Gaddafi and Mubarak. But it didn’t quite happen like that. Gaddafi still …
May 31
Leer la versión en Español In an effort to decrease drug trafficking, many countries have resorted to a forced eradication of illicit crops. There are two main methods in which crop eradication takes place: aerial spraying of toxic chemicals and forced manual eradication. It is assumed that the eradication of the crops will stop and …
May 30
Remember last week when I posted about honoring U.N. Peacekeepers? Well, I’m sorry to report that a vehicle filled with U.N. Peacekeepers has since been attacked in Lebanon. On Friday, May 27, a marked United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle was blown up near the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon. Six Italian …
May 30
As I mentioned in a previous post, the prevalence of neuropsychiatric conditions is skyrocketing around the world. Unfortunately, this rise in incidence has not been accompanied by a rise in amount of mental health care clinicians. Demand for psychiatry is rising faster than for any other specialty, yet medical students are opting for specialties with …
May 28
A few months ago, CNN journalists David McKenzie and David Formanek covered the horrific conditions that mental patients in an asylum in Mathari, Kenya face in their documentary “Locked Up and Forgotten.” At Mathari Hospital, patients are injected by tranquilizers, raped by other patients, and locked inside the hospital. They consider themselves to be inmates …
May 27
“Surfing soothes me. It’s always been a kind of Zen experience for me. The ocean is so magnificent, peaceful, and awesome. The rest of the world disappears for me when I’m on a wave.” -Paul Walker Surf’s up, dude! Surfing is a sport chased after by people around the world who seek adventure or a …
May 26
Who would have thought that the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Tunisia could effect so much change within the Middle East? As the citizens of Arab states revolt, the status quo and operating procedures of many countries have been drawn into question. In the somewhat geographic center of it all, Israelis have been wondering …
May 26
This Sunday, May 29 is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Never heard of it? It’s the day that recognizes and celebrates all those who have taken part in UN peacekeeping operations led by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). Never heard of that? Well, it’s a department of the United Nations that is …
May 26
When I was in my early teen years, I excitedly got behind the wheel of my mother’s car and slowly cruised down my driveway, up the street, and around my neighborhood for the very first time. I practiced and practiced day in and day out, regularly being praised and encouraged by friends and family alike. …
May 24
One of the most pressing issues the Iraqi people face today is a shortage of potable water. In 2010, the International Community of the Red Cross estimated that one in every four Iraqis did not have access to drinkable water. Iraq is known as the land of the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, …
