Diamond not just in the rough, but out of bounds

President Bush, explaining the National Security Agency’s policy of spying on international communications in and out of America involving suspected terrorists: “[I]f somebody from al Qaeda is calling you, we’d like to know why.” Larry Diamond: “If people from these parts of the world believe, or have reasonable cause to fear, that their communications with Americans will be intercepted by the United States government, will they continue to communicate?”

What Makes Iran Tick?

There has been a recent flood of news stories covering the rising tensions between Iran and the West, but much remains a mystery, even to the experts in the field of Middle Eastern issues. At first glance, Iran’s moves to antagonize the West and restart its nuclear program may seem irrational. And indeed, Iran remains a spawning ground of the unexpected.

Lebanon : A Chance to Make a New Friend

There is an old saying that every cloud has a silver lining. This adage seems to be true in the case of the assassination of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. His death, while ultimately a tragedy, has at least some shimmer in that it presents a unique opportunity for the West to strengthen its position in the Middle East and win an Arab ally in the War on Terror.

Silver Anniversary of a Golden Leader

On January 20, 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the fortieth President of the United States. Twenty-five years later, the lasting stamp The Gipper left on the nation and the world is clear to see. From economic and governmental reform, to America’s Cold War victory, to the restoration of America’s confidence in itself, Reagan righted the course of history and is surely one of our greatest leaders.

On Door to Door Distribution

Suppose you are the editor of a student publication seeking to abide by the Office of Residential Education’s policy on door-to-door distribution and that you are interested in distributing your publication to residents in Castaño. Res Ed’s webpage currently indicates that “Castaño does not allow any form of door-to-door distribution or solicitation.”

Hoover Lunches: A Personal Perspective

If I asked you what the bastions of conservatism on campus were, what would come to mind? Columbae and CASA? Or would you say The Hoover Institute and the Stanford Review? I know most of my friends would probably choose the latter. So what happens when the two collaborate? A conspiracy to take over the world, you might say. Surprisingly, no.

Who Says Conservatives Don’t Have Fun?

Last year, I remember walking down the hallway of my freshman dorm and seeing a poster advertising a talk or seminar about the difference between red states and blue states. The flyer stated “Do Blue States have fewer morals? Do Red States have less sex? Find out here!” After reading the flyer I realized that if the words conservative and liberal were matched to extreme right and extreme left, there could be some problems.

Stanford Review Indicted

Stanford’s Organizational Conduct Board (OCB) started a formal investigation of The Stanford Review after the publication distributed door-to-door throughout dorms in the eastern part of campus on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Jane Camarillo, Director of Residential Education (ResEd) filed a complaint with the OCB, alleging that several members of The Review openly violated the Soto, Serra House, Trancos, and Larkin North and West distribution policies.

Russia’s New Political Weapon: Energy

Much like the strong Russian boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Vladimir Putin is continuing his quest to break the spirit of his democratic challengers by forcefully asserting his nation’s newest political weapon: energy. Particularly, in the past month Russia has cut off gas supplies to a freezing Ukraine— and, consequently, the rest of Europe— and is now suspected of sabotaging its own gas pipelines to the Republic of Georgia.

Editor's Note

As I sit down to write this, my final editor’s note, I must admit I am somewhat tired. It has been a long week for me. Between the onslaughts of school work, preparing and teaching a class, applying for summer jobs and, of course, dealing with Stanford’s latest attempt to silence The Review. I was barely even able to make time to watch The Daily Show with John Stuart last night.

Freedom Among the Stars

The new space race is on. This time, though, the competitors aren’t countries. They’re companies. It began with a stroke of economic ingenuity informed by history. Continuing the rich legacy left by such goal oriented awards as the Orteig Prize, the Longitude Act of 1714, and Richard Feynman’s “Race to the Bottom” molecular-scale engineering prizes, a group of St. Louis businesspeople established the X-Prize.

The Man from St. Petersburg

These days one cannot read an article about American politics without finding something pertaining to the increasing disparity between the opinions of groups of American voters. In the recent presidential elections, the concept of the landslide victory has been lost, replaced by chillingly close percentages that demonstrate the potential discrepancies between the Electoral College and the popular vote.