Rethinking American Policy in Central Asia

The enemy of my enemy is my friend................not so much.

With the authoritarian regimes of Central Asia amassing less than stellar human rights records, it is small wonder that Islamic fundamentalist groups have found supporters and willing recruits among the increasingly desperate and destitute peoples throughout the region. The regimes' oppressive and brutal tactics may root out members of some of the more militant groups, but peaceful Islamic movements have also been caught in the crossfire as well as many innocent civilians. The continued abuse of human rights along with bureaucratic and economic mismanagement have contributed to an increasingly greater number of desperate people willing to support and/or fight for any alternative to the current regimes.....including fundamentalist groups committed to waging jihad against the West.

If the U.S. intends to make significant progress in the War on Terror, it should reduce the ability of Islamic militant groups to recruit followers by pressuring these regimes to initiate greater democratic reforms. Rooting out corruption, bureaucratic waste, and fiscal instability while promoting greater political freedoms and social programs are just a few of the critical elements required to create greater peace and stability throughout the region and diminish the appeal of militant Islamic groups.

Also, U.S. perceived largesse towards these corrupt, dictatorial, and dogmatic regimes only serves to further tarnish America's credibility as an exporter of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In this war, American soft power abroad is as vital to battling Al Qaeda and other offshoot groups as much as military and intelligence gathering capabilities. Pressuring Central Asian regimes for greater reform will help to repair America's image abroad --- a necessity for garnering cooperation for any multilateral efforts in the future.

Response to Governor Strickland's State of the State Address

The education of children should never represent a partisan issue. Protecting America's future by ensuring it's children are healthy and well-educated should be one of the highest priorities. Yet, as of late, this lesson seems to be lost on many policymakers at all levels of government. Ensuring America's youth is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to better their own lives and communities around them appears to no longer be tantamount to the discussion of education funding.

No more is this evident than in the state of Ohio. Since the passage of legislation in 1998 effectively allowing for creation of charter schools, focusing on ensuring quality education for Ohio's children has been overshadowed by partisan politics, egos, and greed. The state's teachers unions have gone to great lengths to ensure Democrats remain committed to dismantling the charter school system, while some of those on the other side of the argument have lined the coiffures of the Republicans for their own selfish and short-sighted interests.

The recently elected Governor Ted Strickland continued this tradition of partisan and petty political wrangling when he announced at the State of the State Address earlier this year that his budget would include a moratorium on charter schools and abolishment of voucher program. Governor Strickland may believe that he is saving Ohio's educational system and repaying the teachers union at the same time by attempting to reinvigorate the public school districts with a fresh infusion of cash at the expense of charter schools and the voucher program; but many indicators suggest the status quo is not providing students with the requisite tools to be competitive in the work force in areas such as science and technology, mathematics, business, and innovation on a national and international level.

Regrettably, many kinks still remain in the charter school system as the program is still in its infancy. Yet, attempting to effectively "snuff" it out prematurely could have long-term consequences on the future of the state. In fairness to Ohio's children, charter schools should be afforded the necessary resources and reasonable amount of time to succeed or fail in improving the state's educational opportunities. Considering that a majority of the student body in most charter schools is often comprised of severely impoverished, at risk youth with a learning disability or mental handicap -- children whom the public schools chose to forget about -- the movement should be given due consideration to show funding well spent. Public schools have had a considerable amount of time to produce students capable of competing on a national and international level as well as reaching out to those students with special needs; and charter schools should be affored at least a legitimate opportunity to contribute to Ohio's future.