Marianna Gurtovnik's interests lie in foreign policy and international security. She has written on these topics for World Politics Review, Asia Chronicle, Transitions Online, and New Eurasia, among others. Marianna has also written research studies on the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. Government's response to the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) and the Suez Canal Crisis (1956) for the Congressionally-funded Project on National Security Reform. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC.
Marianna's Blog
Look Who's Talking
Many of us feel passionate about foreign policy. We read about it. We analyze it. We voice our concerns about policies that are at odds with our core values and view of the world. And we offer support for the policies that, we believe, will make the world a better place, according to our understanding of what "better" is. Depending on where we stand ideologically, we also form various opinions about the people who shape foreign policy as part of their daily jobs—national leaders, diplomats, policy activists, etc. My blog seeks to shed a brighter light on the international movers and shakers in foreign policy to help us understand "where they are coming from," figuratively speaking.
Each week, I will pick a Politician of the Week—someone who has been talked about extensively in the international media in relation to a certain local or regional event that may have international repercussions. I will attempt to dissect that person's political stance by analyzing why they say what they say, and act the way they act. What interests do they represent? What are their deeply held values and beliefs? And what strategic considerations do they have in mind in assuming that particular stance on the issue in question? When the policies these people defend jeopardize the interests of the United States, how can the U.S. government work with these politicians to bridge the gap and avoid a crisis? And should we even try to avoid a crisis? These are some of the questions I hope to address through my blogging. Please tune in and let me know what you think—I would love to hear from you.
