Abstract This paper examines Tim O'Brien's, "The Things They Carried," which is a compilation of several short stories or vignettes, about the experiences of the men who fought in the Vietnam War. The author uses commentary from two other literary sources who have analyzed the materials that were covered in O'Brien's book. The author discusses how O'Brien's background influenced the structure and content of the book. Some of the themes found in the different stories include courage, loneliness and memories and how the men carry all of these, along with their supplies, with them througout the war. This writer feels that it was the stories and the intimacy of the sharing of these feelings that helped many of these men survive the war, relatively intact.
From the Paper "Characterization is one of the most important parts of this novel, and O'Brien manages to create vivid characters that are sympathetic and very real at the same time. How can a man named Rat be sympathetic? It is partly because of the thread of storytelling that is the backbone of the novel. "For Rat Kiley. . . facts were formed by sensation, not the other way around, and when you listened to one of his stories, you'd find yourself performing rapid calculations in your head, subtracting superlatives, figuring the square root of an absolute and then multiplying by maybe" (O'Brien 101). Much of O'Brien's novel reads like the folktales of old, passed down orally from generation to generation. Rat Kiley is clearly a born storyteller, for he makes his listeners think and think hard while he spins his tales."
Abstract Technical discussion of toxic properties of various weapons. Purpose of producing physiological or physical effects on enemy forces. Modern origin in use of mustard gas in World War I. Describes blistering agents (vesicants), nerve gas, VX, Soman, B2, toxins and allergens. Treaties to prevent use of chemical weapons. The Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.
From the Paper "Chemical weapons use the toxic properties of chemicals to produce physical or physiological effects, usually on enemy forces during wars (FAS-Introduction, 2001). Although they have been used throughout history, chemical weapons are thought of as originating during World War I with the use of mustard gas by both sides. In 1925, the Geneva Protocol was signed which prohibited the use of chemical weapons in warfare, but several nations who signed the pact, including the United States, did so with the proviso that they reserved the right to retaliate in kind if chemical weapons were used against them. Neither side used chemical weapons during World War II. Common agents in use are: the blood agents arsine, cyanogen chloride and hydrogen chloride; the choking agents chlorine, diphosgene, PFIB and phosgene; nerve agents GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), GE, GF, V..."
Abstract In this report the writer explains chemical warfare and list the types of agents which can be used. It describes how a person is affected and the great potential hazards and dangers. The writer provides an overview of historical cases when chemical warfare has been used and explains how it's transmitted. The paper gives specific examples of certain types, and lastly, looks at how a person can be protected from chemical warfare.
From the Paper "On April 22 in 1915, six thousand pressurized cylinders full of chlorine gas were released into the wind near the Belgian village of Ypres. The chlorine floated in huge clouds slowly being carried by the wind until it reached an ally army to Germany, then killing 10,000 soldiers. Because of the amount of gas released the chlorine caused large amounts of yellowish fluid to form in the lungs of the soldiers causing them to choke to death. Germany attacked again another two days later killing another 5,000 soldiers with chlorine gas. This was the first chemical weapon attack in history and chlorine was the first chemical agent. Since then there have been a handful more times when chemicals have been used to attack other people and with the terrorist attacks on 9-11 Americans know the fear of chemicals being used against us. In this report I will explain chemical warfare, list the types, describe how a person is affected, explain when they’ve been used, explain how it’s transmitted, give specific examples of certain types, and lastly, how a person is protected from chemical warfare."
Abstract This paper explains that the American failures in Cuba and Vietnam in the 1960s were due in large part to the fear, arrogance and ignorance of Cold War containment policies that developed in the aftermath of World War II. The author believes that the problem was the assumption that all political and economic reform movements in Third World nations were not indigenous but were inspired instead by the evil Communist leaders of the Soviet Union. The author states that once this Cold War policy was in effect, no leader of the U.S. had the courage, wisdom or political independence to try to alter fully that policy.
From the Paper "Kennedy certainly entered office under the pall of the same Cold War ideology and its containment policy, as evidenced by his "missile gap" rhetoric, his increase of advisors in Vietnam, and the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. It will never be known whether he would have averted a war in Vietnam, but his test-ban treaty with the Soviets, his denunciation of the CIA after the Bay of Pigs disaster, and his plan to withdraw some troops from Vietnam indicate at least a willingness to consider more flexibility in that policy."
Tags: containment, soviet, war, indigenous, kennedy
Abstract This paper explains the political build-up to the Cuban Missile Crisis and discusses how, even though this event lasted only 13 days, it had long-term ramifications. The writer discusses how the crisis reformed the relationships between the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the United States.
From the Paper "The events of October 1962 have been recognized internationally under three different terms: "Cuban Missile Crisis" by the United States (U.S.); "Caribbean Crisis" by the former Soviet Union; and "Crisis of October" by Cuba. The entire incident, which lasted thirteen days, was the culmination of a series of American and Soviet actions. In this era the United States and the Soviet Union were the worlds leading powers, each with unique global interests. In the early 1960's the United States lead the international community in developing and deploying strategic missiles; basing them in countries such as Turkey which is less than 240 kilometers from Soviet borders. As a means of countering the U.S. measures, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev placed intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Cuba, which once operational would have the ability to produce a nuclear attack on the U.S. These actions were also a means of protecting Cuba from any United States invasions, such as the failed attempt of the Bay of Pigs in 1961 (Sorenson). On October 16, 1962 the United States government learned of the installations in Cuba and their potential to be operational within days. Regardless of the Soviet Unions denial of their existence the news sparked intense policy debate among the U.S. government. The next thirteen days saw the use of diplomatic and military efforts from both sides in an attempt to resolve the conflict."
Tags: conflict, america, nuclear, bay, pigs, Khrushchev, cuba
Abstract This paper examines the concepts of modernisation and dependency theory in relation to developed and undeveloped countries. It shows how the theories are very different in their approach and the eventual outcomes of their analysis of the world system lead to very different ideas as to how the undeveloped world can "catch up" with the western world. It attempts to address the different elements inherent within the two theories, highlighting any differences and similarities and how they may be applied in the current global environment.
From the Paper "The theory of Dependency was according to Chong-Ya: ?in vogue in Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s,? although its origins as an established critique stem from the inauguration of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) in 1948. The major role of the ECLA was to initiate "more systematic economic research" whilst it also ?necessitated a policy of import substitution, later systematized into a fully-fledged development strategy.? Yet the theory still holds weight in light of the increase in supposed exploitative agents. Recent globalisation is thought to have been the origin of the exponential growth of the dominance of multi-national largely western corporations in the world system."
Abstract This paper examines how the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict is the State of Israel,created when, in 1947, UN decided to split Palestine into two separate Arab and Jewish states. It discusses how the countries have since not seen peace, how there is constant conflict, and how Palestinians have waged a never-ending war with Israel and vice versa. It analyzes how the countries are now interlinked due to this major conflict, and all efforts of bringing peace to this region have failed. The author proposes a potential two-state solution to the problem similar to the one implemented in India and Pakistan.
From the Paper "Peace talks which had been going on for several years led to the historic agreements between Israel and the PLO led by Yasser Arafat, in Sept. 1993. The Palestine Liberation Organization agreed to the existence of Israel while Israel recognized PLO as the Palestinians' representative. The two later signed an agreement on September 13 which allowed limited Palestinian self-rule and the West Bank and Gaza. (Heilbrunn, 1995) The country in a bid to achieve more political stability in the region signed an agreement with Jordan in 1994, which brought an end to the 46-years of war and conflict between the two states. On October 26, that year a formal peace treaty was signed."
Abstract This paper proposes that the best assessment of the war on terror must apply the appropriate and relevant concepts in international relations theory and that such an application will encourage a consensus and commitment to the basic ideology underlying the war on terrorism. Further, the paper suggests that there is a strong case to establish that the war on terrorism has seen the United States practicing hegemonic stability theory, and then goes on to expound on this theory and explain why this approach is in the interests of the U.S. and democracy worldwide.
From the Paper "America's ideology and consequently, foreign affairs policy changed dramatically in the aftermath of the security dilemma created by September 11th. Ever since Vietnam, the American public's reluctance to engage in military intervention overseas has been an influential factor in foreign policy decisions. September 11th changed that view and opinion polls showed more than 90% approval for the placement of ground troops in Afghanistan, while 87% showed understanding that this unconventionally defined war will be a long one (Pobst)."
Abstract With an annual GDP comparable to that of the United States, and a population of about 450 million people as of May 1st, 2004, with the addition of 10 more East European countries, the European Union has become a major economic force in the world economy and will continue to be a dominant factor in how other countries do business within Europe. This paper shows that because of the influence and reach the European Union has on the international economy, it is important to understand how EU legislation will affect international marketing functions between European countries and international countries. Because the European Union is still in its developmental phases and growing at a tremendous rate, rules and regulations are constantly changing, making it extremely difficult for international companies to keep up to date with all the changes. This paper looks at the various aspects of the marketing mix that have been affected by EU legislation.
From the Paper "The creation of a single monetary system under the European Union will change the way companies do business both within the EU and internationally. The change to the single monetary system will impact the pricing variable of the marketing mix by creating more price transparency, reducing exchange rate risks with the European Union, and lowering transaction costs. Many companies doing businesses within the European Union will spend a great amount of time updating their financial systems and converting existing currency and pricing into the new monetary system. International marketers will also have to establish new pricing structures under the new monetary system."
Abstract This paper analyzes the autobiography, "Jarhead", by Anthony Swofford, which tells the story of the author's life before entering the Marines, the time of his engagement in the Middle East, and some of his struggles in reintegrating into civilian life after the war. The paper also critiques the book and comments on the author's excessive use of description.
From the Paper "One of the most critical revelations in Swofford's Jarhead is the depiction of the soldiers as simply human, flawed, and ultimately scared young men. There are no over-the-top heroic posturing here, as the elite special forces solder tells about the terror that led him to wet himself as rockets exploded close by. His tale ultimately makes the reader wonder if the soldiers sent into operation Desert Storm were as coolly professional and prepared as the government's spin machine made them out to be."
This paper discusses NAFTA, which established a free-trade zone in North America and was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It took effect on Jan. 1, 1994.
Abstract This paper explains that NAFTA immediately removed tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the participating nations and set forth a plan for the gradual elimination, over a period of 15 years, of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among the three countries. The author points out that, unlike the United States, Mexico's border communities have benefited from NAFTA, growing almost 10 times as fast as states in Mexico's south, while absorbing the lion's share of foreign investments. The paper concludes that calling NAFTA a "trade" agreement is misleading; NAFTA is actually an investment agreement because its core provisions grant foreign investors a solid set of new rights and privileges that promote relocation abroad of factories and jobs and the privatization and deregulation of essential services, including water, energy, and health care.
From the Paper "In 2000, California's exports to Mexico totaled $14.4 billion, an increase of nearly 18 percent over the previous year, and Texas' shipments grew 5.5 percent to a total of $24.6 billion, according to Commerce Department figures (Lewis, 2004). Meanwhile, the United States continues to lure Mexican workers, many of whom came from rural communities when Mexico opened its markets to subsidized U.S. agricultural goods."
Abstract This paper examines how the question of under what circumstances does one sovereign nation have the moral authority to initiate military aggression against another sovereign nation is a question that has been debated since the beginning of human civilization. In particular, it analyzes the use of military aggression against Iraq during the United States invasion of 2003 and whether it establishes a radical precedent in modern times that violates the previously recognized principles of moral justification for war and inaugurates the adoption of a "first-strike" policy by the United States in international relations.
From the Paper "In the new war against terror, it is a mistake to focus primarily on the means possessed by the enemy. The attack of September 11 shows the overwhelming devastation that can be wrought with incredibly little means, when there is sufficient planning and motivation. Terrorists do not need a crazed dictator to provide them with extraordinarily lethal chemical and biological weapons. These can easily be made with minimal laboratory equipment using readily-known methods. And the means to deploy them can be found by exploiting the technology of the free world. Plan of action as well as intent are therefore of great importance to consider when evaluating a threat."
Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive look at how the United States failed in Vietnam. Its main focus is that the U.S. didn't understand the nature of the war. The paper provides a summary of the war, intertwined with evidence about why American leadership did not have a full understanding of the war.
From the Paper "The Vietcong instead utilized guerilla warfare, which was effective against the French, and fared well against the U.S. too. This was a strategy that was also coined total war, because it was the destruction of the adversary at all calls. In addition, it included a myriad of small-group surprise attacks with the Vietcong then retreating back into the jungle. But also, the United States did not realize how powerful the Vietcong could be, thanks to the Soviet Union and China. "American technology was well matched by defensive fighter aircraft and radar-directed antiaircraft weaponry put in the hands of the Vietcong by the Soviet Union". One such example was the widely used Soviet-built surface-to-air missle (SAM). "The SAM was a kind of highly sophisticated aerial torpedo launched from the ground" (Larson 52). Along with the SAM, the Soviets supplied AK-47s and MiG interceptor aircraft among other items."
Abstract This paper presents the three reasons given by George W. Bush to the American public for going to war with Iraq. The paper discusses these three reasons: That Saddam Hussein had ties to al-Qaeda, that Hussein was attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, and that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The paper dismisses these reasons as inapplicable. The claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction is examined in the paper. The paper also outlines Saddam Hussein's ties to al-Qaeda and the threat of nuclear weapons.
From the Paper "Of the three claims, the third one regarding WMD was instantly believable, because American news had been full of pictures of dead Kurds, citizens of Iraq, killed with Iraq's chemical weapons. Hussein had used WMD's in the past on his own citizens, and so it seemed likely that he could easily use them on people he regarded as enemies of his country. In addition, he used Scud missiles (short range, and easily moved) to attack Saudi Arabia and even Israel during the Gulf War (Richelson, p. 75), demonstrating his willingness to attack other nations. The second concern, that Iraq might already nuclear weapons, had less direct evidence people could recall easily, but was also quite scary. Since the end of the Cold War, a recurring fear was that a terrorist-driven country would use nuclear weapons to try to force its will on other countries."
Abstract This paper examines the threat posed by North Korea to the United States. The paper contends that the complex nature of the problem of the North Korean nuclear program and the ways and means to handle it pose one of the greatest challenges to the U.S. foreign policy during the second term of President Bush. The paper determines that the challenge is not only in finding a way to put a cap on the nuclear weapons program of North Korea, but also in seeing that the present regime of Kim Jong Il adheres to the terms of the agreements hammered out, since this regime has shown scant respect for earlier agreements.
From the Paper "President Bush was of the opinion that three countries were members of the 'Axis of Evil' and during his first term in office he took necessary efforts to neutralize or prevent any kind of threat or attack from Iraq. His second term as the President of Unite States is likely to see a greater emphasis to remove the perceived threat from the other two members of the Axis of Evil, which are Iran and N. Korea. North Korea is likely to be the greatest challenge posed to the US foreign policy in the coming years. For too many years North Korea has remained on the back burner, but the recent developments make it necessary for the US to initiate a stronger foreign policy effort on North Korea to remove threats to itself and its allies in the North Asian region. In the last five decades or so North Korea has developed a nuclear weapons research program by exploiting its own uranium and a pool of nuclear physicists available in the country."
