Russia, Europe, and the Natural Gas Disruption (2009)
Overview In January 2009, a natural gas supply dispute between Russia and Ukraine led to a 10-day suspension of gas deliveries to several European countries. The event exposed the European…
Left Field Blogs
Obama’s Speech in Cairo – A Call for Understanding and Peace (2009)
Overview In June 2009, President Barack Obama delivered his speech in Cairo, Egypt, outlining what he described as “a new beginning” between the United States and the Muslim world. The…
Regulating the Regulators – Lessons from the Deepwater Horizon Disaster (2010)
Overview The issue of regulating the regulators gained new attention after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The disaster raised questions about oversight, accountability, and the role of federal agencies…
Oil Spill and Sustainable Seafood (2010)
Overview The 2010 oil spill raised urgent questions about environmental recovery and the future of marine resources. The disaster prompted concern about how such events affect fisheries, ecosystems, and global…
Michele Bachmann’s LGBT Rights Stance and Constitutional Debate (2011)
Overview The discussion surrounding Michele Bachmann’s LGBT rights stance gained renewed attention in June 2011 after her comments on Fox News Sunday. Bachmann expressed support for New York State’s legal…
Republicans Losing Support for Health Care Repeal (2011)
Overview Public opinion on health care reform shifted in early 2011, with data showing Republicans losing support for health care repeal efforts. As the House of Representatives prepared to vote…
Rethinking Health Care: People, Process, and Technology (2011)
Overview The concept of rethinking health care gained renewed attention through a three-week series by the Harvard Business Review titled Innovations in Health Care. In one of the featured articles,…
Toxic Substance Mailed to Hispanic Arizona Congressman (2010)
Overview The incident involving a toxic substance mailed to Congressman Raul Grijalva of Arizona in October 2010 drew national attention to threats against public officials and the rise of politically…
LGBT Equality and Education Policy Debate in Burnaby, B.C., Canada (2011)
Overview The issue of LGBT equality and education policy became the focus of public debate in 2011 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The Burnaby School District proposed a new policy…
U.S. Birth Control Policy Debate and Religious Exemptions (2012)
Overview In early 2012, national debate intensified over a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requiring faith-affiliated hospitals and universities to include birth control coverage in…