July – 2013 – Baker Institute Blog

The broader implications of enhancing border surveillance capabilities

July 31, 2013admin

In the third of a six-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, experts respond to the question: What are the implications of expanding border security?

Civil libertarians are already expressing alarm about increasing domestic surveillance capabilities at the border. This concern gestures toward a broader fear that contemporary threats to national security, particularly terror threats, have distorted the historical legal grounds that protect U.S. citizens from government surveillance and data collection. In actuality, if there is one area where the law provides well-recognized and expansive justification for domestic surveillance, it is at the border. Continue Reading →

Sex and politics: A sext too far?

July 31, 2013admin

Weiner’s behavior — all question of Weiner the man and husband aside — does raise profound questions about his trustworthiness. He is a politician, after all, who just two years ago resigned amid expressions of regret for his actions and promises to mend his ways. Continue Reading →

U.S. border security spending: Too much, too late?

July 30, 2013admin

In the second of a six-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, experts respond to the question: What are the implications of expanding border security?

There is virtually no agreement between the major political parties, or even between the legislative and executive branch members of the same party, regarding the state of security on the border or such issues as spillover violence and corruption in Mexico. Furthermore, underlying philosophical and ideological divisions exist behind the various views on our border with Mexico, even extending to patterns of governance and life in America itself. In fact, the Senate bill now stalled by the House in many ways represents another flashpoint in the ongoing crisis of consensus in our nation. Continue Reading →

Border security and (mis-)management

July 29, 2013admin

In the first of a six-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, experts respond to the question: What are the implications of expanding border security?

The immigration bill recently passed in the Senate assigns nearly $50 billion to increase border security – a border “surge.” This unprecedented deployment of resources includes 20,000 additional Border Patrol agents; new technology such as drones, sensors and cameras; and hundreds of miles of wall along the border. Proponents reason that the border surge will bring order to the region and stem the flow of undocumented immigrants into the United States. However, this expenditure could lead to multiple unintended consequences that should give pause to anyone considering it. Continue Reading →

Student blog: Aligning Russia’s interests with America’s

July 22, 2013admin

With over 90,000 Syrians dead and confirmation of the use of chemical weapons by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Barack Obama and his administration have taken the first step toward military intervention in Syria. However, given the legacy of misjudged intelligence in Iraq and the complexity of achieving a positive outcome in Syria, it is unlikely that the president will rush forward unilaterally. Instead, he will likely work toward a multilateral policy requiring the elusive support of Russia. Continue Reading →

Egypt after the coup: Only the beginning of the beginning

July 17, 2013admin

In the final post of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

Interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour, the military-backed civilian leader who formerly headed the country’s judiciary, only recently finished putting together a new government. However, the original coalition that had pushed for the overthrow of President Muhammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood-supported government has begun peeling apart, with some criticizing powers set aside by the military for the new president. Moreover, the new government does not include any members of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, raising the likelihood of more civil unrest in the near future. Continue Reading →

On the arrest of Mexican drug kingpin Z-40

July 16, 2013admin

Yesterday’s arrest of Mexican drug cartel Los Zetas leader Miguel Treviño (Z-40) could be profound for Mexico. On the one hand, it sets an important precedent that no one is above the law, not even the leader of one of the nation’s most powerful organized crime groups. On the other hand, Z-40’s removal may portend increased violence as new leadership figures vie for power within the organization and rivals pounce on perceived vulnerability. Continue Reading →