PAST EVENT
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
On November 10, Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Kongdan Oh and Ralph Hassig, adjunct associate professor of psychology at the University of Maryland University College, discussed their new book The Hidden People of North Korea: Everyday Life in the Hermit Kingdom (Rowman & Littlefield, 2009). For decades, the people of North Korea have lived in extreme isolation under a closed and repressive regime, where individual rights are restricted and the regime exercises complete control over the political class and legal systems. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Washington, DC
On October 27, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies hosted a presentation by Kim Kwangjin of his report on North Korean succession and human rights issues. Mr. Kim defected from North Korea in 2003, and was previously manager of North Korea’s Northeast Asia Bank in Singapore and representative of the Korea National Insurance Corporation. This discussion also featured Roberta Cohen of Brookings and Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Foundation. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cheng Li and Jordan Lee, September 16, 2009, China Review
China’s legal system has recently come under close scrutiny after the controversial detainment of famous lawyer Xu Zhiyong in July of 2009. Cheng Li and Jordan Lee argue that while the Chinese government does fall short in its acceptance of politically sensitive cases, the nation’s strong foundation in law-based policies and recent incremental legal system developments could pave the way for advanced reform. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, July 22, 2009, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Suzanne Maloney testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on recent developments in Iran after the June 12 election and resulting protests across the country. Maloney addressed the current internal political crisis, the efficiency of additional international sanctions against Iran and offered suggestions for U.S. policy going forward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cheng Li, June 04, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle
Though many believe China's drive toward democracy stagnated after the People's Liberation Army put down the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations, Cheng Li argues otherwise. Li notes that while the political system is still constrained by party monopoly on power, lack of an independent judiciary and media censorship, China is making significant progress on the democratic front. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, June 02, 2009, The Washington Examiner
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" forces soldiers to lie about or hide their sexual orientation to keep from being discharged. Peter Singer believes it is time for President Obama to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the policy so that patriotic and capable military members can focus on national security instead social politics. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Benjamin Wittes, May 21, 2009, The New York Times
Last week, President Obama outlined his approach to closing the Guantánamo Bay detention center on the heels of Congress voting overwhelmingly to block the $80 million he requested to close the the prison. The speech was forward-looking, writes Brookings expert Ben Wittes, in that he maintained the need for a preventative detention system created by Congress and overseen by the courts. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Melissa Rogers, May 19, 2009, The Brookings Institution
President Obama will soon make his first Supreme Court nomination. It seems unlikely that the addition of President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court will change the outcome in church-state cases, writes Rogers, but the views and voice of his nominee will certainly affect the debate at the Court and shape decisions long after Obama leaves the White House. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, April 16, 2009
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC
On April 16, William Galston moderated a discussion with Alan Wolfe, author of The Future of Liberalism (Knopf, 2009), on how the liberal tradition can influence and illuminate contemporary debates on issues such as immigration, abortion, executive power, religious freedom and free speech. E.J. Dionne, Jr. and Ross Douthat offered their thoughts on liberalism’s roots and how it can be applied to today’s problems. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, March 13, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
In a recent New York Times op-ed, Brookings scholar Jonathan Rauch and co-author David Blankenhorn argue that linking federal civil unions to guarantees of religious freedom is a way to head off a long-term, scorched-earth debate over gay marriage and religious liberty. On March 13, Rauch and Blankenhorn discussed their proposal at a forum moderated by Brookings Senior Fellow William Galston. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
David Blankenhorn and Jonathan Rauch, March 02, 2009, Talk of the Nation, NPR
Brookings expert Jonathan Rauch and David Blankenhorn of the Institute of American Values joined Neal Conan on Talk of the Nation to discuss a federal compromise on the issue of same-sex marriage. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Saleem H. Ali, February 28, 2009, Daily Times
Saleem Ali writes that China is a great nation from which the U.S., and indeed Pakistan, have much to learn. However, as friends we must engage in a relationship that builds on our common humanity. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Jonathan Rauch and David Blankenhorn , February 21, 2009, The New York Times
In their New York Times opinion, Brookings expert Jonathan Rauch and David Blankenhorn of the Institute of American Values offer a federal compromise on the debatable issue of same-sex marriage. Read More
VIDEO
Benjamin Wittes, January 22, 2009
Ben Wittes says that President Obama’s three executive orders on closing Guantanamo Bay and detainee treatment are more of a process than a solution for the problem. In reality, he says, it does less than many expected.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Benjamin Wittes, January 13, 2009, The New York Times
President-elect Barack Obama plans to fulfill his campaign promise and issue an executive order next Wednesday directing the closing of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. Benjamin Wittes joined experts in a New York Times running commentary to discuss the challenges the new administration will face in closing Guantánamo. Read More