Australia Agrees to US Marine Deployment Plan

Obama has decided to establish military personnel in Australia to combat China's growing influence. China has been rising, and in order to counter that, Obama has decided to deploy 250 US Marines next year, and it will eventually be built up to 2,500. Obama has said that the US was "stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia-Pacific". Earlier in the year, Obama had announced that all U.S. troops were to be removed from Iraq by the end of 2011, but now the US will establish themselves in the opposite direction. Many believe that this is a mistake by Australia, claiming that if they let the US use their military bases, then they will eventually be caught in crossfire. If the US "intrudes on China's core interests" then Luo Yuan, a senior officer at the People Liberation Army's Academy of Military Sciences says that a military conflict would be unavoidable. This is big new to all US citizens, because perhaps the US is one step closer to war with China, or perhaps one step closer from saving the south pacific from China's influence.

Deadly protest over chemical plant in northern Egypt

Protests have been occurring in Egypt near a fertilizer plant with concern for the pollution caused. There have been demonstrations to relocate or close the plant and prevent the opening of two more plants. This is significant because under Egypt’s previous leader, Hosni Mubarak, protests would not have occurred or been tolerated. Activism is now taking place more frequently in Egypt; protesters of the chemical plants even took their demonstrations outside the governor’s office chanting anti-government slogans. It is interesting and significant that protests like these are happening more and more due to new leadership throughout the Middle East.  

By Matt and Becca

School targets teen girls from war torn nations

This article made us think about how fortunate we are, human resiliency, and how it is possible to help refugees. The Global Village School in Georgia helps educate girls from war-torn nations including Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Bosnia, Iraq, Iran, Nepal, Vietnam, Kosovo, Myanmar, and Russia. We are fortunate to grow up in a relatively safe areas with our whole family. Some of the girls don’t now if their parents and family are safe and that is something that we don’t have to worry about. We were surprised by the ability of these girls to move on from their past and brave a new country and language. Often, we feel like people think that it is impossible to help these refugees because they are so far away but this article and school proves them wrong. There is a lot we can do to reach out and help these girls get an education and succeed in life.
By: Rebecca Kirtley and Rory Kelly

Bombs dropped near South Sudan refugee camp

It is sad that those who sought refuge in Yida, South Sudan are being followed by the war. We also think that it is admirable that the United States is trying to stop the bombs and prevent future casualties. It is unfortunate to think that people who are trying to live their lives away from the war are still affected; however, this is not surprising due to past conflict between Sudan and South Sudan.

Jack Colley, Stephanie Curley, and Mayree Nolan

The Iran Nuclear Threat

It is shocking to think that there is a very surreal possibility that Iran might soon have the abilities and resources to put a nuclear warhead on the end of a ballistic missile. That frightening idea is becoming more real with each minute now as Obama talks about economic sanctions on Iran with other countries, and he is getting real support from countries like China and Russia. United States senators and presidential candidates are now discussing about what they would do in the case that Iran militarizes their nuclear powers and they say that if it comes down to it, military action is a very real and possible course of action. As each day goes on that Iran is working on perfecting their nuclear powers, the threatening concept of taking military action, along with other world powers, against Iran is becoming more and more imminent.

Michael Mollerus and Clayton Cottingham.

Rio Slum Is ‘Pacified’ in Advance of Games

This article, by Simon Romero, is quite interesting because it describes Brazil's movement to clean up and correct huge slums around Rio De Janeiro to prepare Rio for hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. This past week, the Brazilian government deployed around 3,000 security forces, including police and soldiers, to enforce order in these crime-filled slums. The intensity of this intervention can be perfectly described by the article: "...military helicopters buzzed the sky, and tanks rolled through the narrow streets of the Rocinha slum. Elite police squads patrolled the alleys, and snipers perched on rooftops." No shots where fired but why some much firepower? It might be an overreaction but it is making the area much safer. The true test of this mission's success will be when the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics occur.

By Andrew Rice and Julian Graef

Anders Behring Breivik Gets Hearing

Anders Behring Breivik, who confessed to killing 77 people in Norway this past July, and injuring 151 more, made his first public appearance in court today. Breivik is a right wing extremist who claimed that his crimes were necessary in order to save Norway from multiculturalism and Islam. It is hard to forget the trouble that this man caused this summer, and the mass sorrow that resulted from it when he dressed up as a police man and went to an island where children were engaging in activities and he killed many of them. Those that survived will never forget the tragedy, and will forever be scarred by the event. The article mentions Breivik's request to receive a court hearing so that he could explain his motives, but his request was denied by high courts. It is hard to comprehend how devastating this event was and Breivik should be locked up for a long time.
By Will Case and Ted