United States – Matthew Hanzel

A final thought of Obama

I feel terribly sad with the fact that in two hours, the United States will see a new president. Even sadder that President Obama has only two hours or so left in his 8-year presidency. Continue reading A final thought of Obama

Indonesia Does Not Need the Trans-Pacific Partnership

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The controversy over President Joko Widodo’s statement of intention that Indonesia wants to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is yet to calm down. The sentence, practically crammed in the middle of a joint statement between President Widodo and President Barack Obama on the 26^th of October, 2015, triggers a debate that almost neglects various achievements that President Widodo has brought home from Washington, D.C. Continue reading Indonesia Does Not Need the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Secretaries of State: More Trips to Asia-Pacific?

During my research (for my thesis), it is important to know how many trips (and days) are spent by three U.S. secretaries of state, Colin Powell (2001-2005), Condoleezza Rice (2005-2009) and Hillary Clinton (2009-2013). As many of us know, Secretary Clinton, under President Obama, is doing this ‘pivot’ strategy, otherwise known today as ‘rebalancing,’ toward the Asia-Pacific region. The intention is to signal an increasing attention to this growing region, and the United States finds it important.

Continue reading Secretaries of State: More Trips to Asia-Pacific?