Articles #1

Alex Koudal

Article one: American Flags Popping Up in Cuba on Everything but a Pole

Article 1
MLA:Archibold, Randal C. "American Flags Popping Up in Cuba on Everything but a Pole." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.

Summary: The Diplomatic conflicts between the United States and Cuba has recently been slightly uplifted with the recent trend of American flags popping up in Cuba. In recent years, fashion trends in Cuba have gone through multiple different flag outbursts with the Union Jack seemed to gain favor in fashion around the 2012 London Olympics, and various different items with the american flag popping out now and then. The common Cuban citizen has long remained friendly towards American tourists and has closely followed American media and sports. A number of people wearing flag apparel said it had become more widespread in the past year. Despite political tension between the two nations, citizens have never let it get in the way of what they desire to wear, even if it means representing an old rival that they so love. Even diplomats between the two nations have said that when the appropriate time comes, they expect to fly their flags at their diplomatic missions.

Analysis: The so ever-growing popularity of the American flag seems to be a sign towards, what many people are hoping, kind relations between the two countries and a mutual embrace. With the meeting between Raul Castro and President Barack Obama, potentially there could be that this meeting will bring about a newly found partnership between the two nations. This could further aid the American cause to end humanitarian issues in Africa and the Middle East with Cuban resources and influence. The reason being with this new fashion trend in Cuban society could relate to that of the loosening of grip on the citizens from the government. The burst of flag sightings would probably have been less likely if Fidel Castro was in charge.

Article 2: Putin Lifts Ban on Russian Missile Sales to Iran

Article 2
MLA: Macfarquhar, Neil. "Putin Lifts Ban on Russian Missile Sales to Iran." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.

Summary: Russian President Putin has approved the delivery of a sophisticated air defense missile system to Iran, which ultimately complicates Tehran's nuclear program and political tensions with the United States. The deal is estimated to be worth 800 million to Russia and Iran is expecting this to boost their economy and make themselves a more formidable regional power. The U.N security council have been for years advocating to Iran that they keep there defense program peaceful.Russia has been aggressively seeking new trade partners to prove that Western sanctions have not isolated it from the global economy. Western nations and thinkers have remained suspicious and dubious of this sale because if this does proceed, how could the U.N or other nations stop Russia from selling a nuclear missile to Iran.

Analysis:

If this sale goes through, this could severe the relations even more so between the U.S and Russia. Reason being that this will show that the Russia will cooperate with anyone willing to spend the money no matter if they are in a conflict with other superpower nations. The U.S will have to be more wary since this sale could ultimately lead to more potentially more trades, including the sale of nuclear arms to that of Iran which would be highly threatening to America. Not only will it be threatening to America but other places as well, especially countries near Iran and Europe since they are unfortunately in the realm in which Iran could possibly influence. Russia further collaboration with Iran will create even more tension than there already is with the U.N, NATO, and The United States.