Tag: Afghanistan

How to Change the World

I spent my first summer with the IRC in Liberia. Liberia, a West African nation still recovering from a decade long civil war which ended in 1997, continues to suffer from significant economic and political instability. Despite that, most Liberians are in the process of trying to rebuild their lives. The goal of the IRC… Continue reading How to Change the World

Winning The Hearts and Minds

The success of military strikes against the terrorists in Afghanistan will be essential to prevent future massacres like those in Kenya, Tanzania, and the United States. In the long term, however, terrorism can only be eradicated if the United States and its Western allies are viewed as fair brokers and undeserving of the hatred in… Continue reading Winning The Hearts and Minds

The Mother of All Diplomacy

The current war against terrorism has many dimensions. In the last article of this series, we studied what form military action might take. The more important and difficult element of this struggle, however, will be building and maintaining support throughout the region. While the risks are tremendous, we must also remember that crises present opportunities… Continue reading The Mother of All Diplomacy

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

In the first article of this series I made the case for action against the mass murderers of September 11 and those who plan to follow in their footsteps. I suggested that this presents the members of the international alliance with one of the most complex diplomatic and security challenges they have ever faced. I… Continue reading The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Seeking Loved Ones, Seeking Answers

I emerged from my first class at 10 am on September 11th to hear a few classmates saying that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York a short while ago. The World Trade Center. New York. My first reaction was one of disbelief &- we New Yorkers tend to think… Continue reading Seeking Loved Ones, Seeking Answers

Pregnant Pause

In the next couple of weeks I’m in for one of life’s more visceral experiences. I’m due to give birth at Brigham Women’s. As a fully paid up member of the Harvard Insurance I want bells and whistles and if you were to throw in a jazz band I won’t complain. The entourageSince I’m going… Continue reading Pregnant Pause

American Perspective – A Firsthand Account

Let me add a simpler point of view as well as a measure of evidence to Rob’s insightful and thorough stance. In regards to the treatment of Taliban prisoners, let me share firsthand what it was like in Afghanistan.I was serving as a United States Marine in Kandahar during December, January, and February of this… Continue reading American Perspective – A Firsthand Account

Why We Can't Afford to Fail in Iraq

Because the terrorists win if we prematurely withdraw. Despite the cunning strategy displayed by Japanese military planners in the attack on Pearl Harbor, they made a grave miscalculation in thinking that America lacked the steely nerve to mount a credible counter-offensive. Only Admiral Yamamoto, the brilliant leader of the Japanese Fleet, recognized the predicament his… Continue reading Why We Can't Afford to Fail in Iraq

Surviving Afghanistan

Irfhan Rawji (OD) spent his summer working as a social enterprise fellow in Kabul, Afghanistan. During his time there he advised the Da Afghanistan Bank (Afghanistan’s Central Bank) on reconstruction and reformation efforts. Rawji recently shared with the Harbus his thoughts on the country and his experience, as well as some of the images he… Continue reading Surviving Afghanistan

Where in the world Did You Spend Your Summer?

The Harbus profiles 12 students who have spent their summers testing new uncharted professional terrains for the first time in their lives, from the conflict zones of Afghanistan to the US treasury department to just traveling around the world and soaking up different cultures, these students have chosen to go beyond brand names, money and… Continue reading Where in the world Did You Spend Your Summer?

2008 – Retrospective – Breaking Down Barriers

To celebrate the New Year in Italy, it is tradition to throw old things out of one’s window. This is practiced perhaps more literally than foreigners might suspect – it behooves passersby to heed falling objects. We in the United States could do worse than to adopt this strategy, at least in the figurative sense.… Continue reading 2008 – Retrospective – Breaking Down Barriers

Accepting the Torch on January 20th

On January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy proclaimed in his inaugural speech that “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage.” It was a humble declaration that his generation would take on the challenge… Continue reading Accepting the Torch on January 20th

An Afghan Afternoon

Like many of my favorite memories from Afghanistan, it all began with an innocent phone call on a lazy Sunday afternoon. “Hey man, what are you doing?” It was Ahmed.* “Oh, nothing really. Just surfing the web at my guest house. I wish we’d gone somewhere this weekend. I’m pretty bored.” “Do you want to… Continue reading An Afghan Afternoon

Operation Appreciation

He may be able to grab a number of magazines and books in the COOP these days, but during Christmas of 2001 Nate Fick (OH) was in the mountains of Afghanistan with little for entertainment. “I will never forget how good it felt to get care packages,” the former U.S. Marine Capt. said. “Reading materials… Continue reading Operation Appreciation

Alejandro Paiuk (MBA ’07) Shares His Post-HBS Journey

My luggage arrived in Houston like a cheap three-piece suit, and I landed so totally blinged out in shalwar kameez, pakool & shaggy overgrown beard that my father almost didn’t recognize me. Naturally, neither customs nor immigration batted an eye, lest they be accused of ethnic profiling. I was grateful that I did not have to… Continue reading Alejandro Paiuk (MBA ’07) Shares His Post-HBS Journey

Harvard Military Veterans Honored at the Kennedy School

Veterans share stories of war and military life. Throughout our campus we are surrounded by quiet heroes. Some have helped a family member or friend through a difficult time, others have worked for non-profits to bring aid to the needy, and others have served our country and put their lives at risk. To honor the… Continue reading Harvard Military Veterans Honored at the Kennedy School