http://www.heritage.org/static/rss/worldwide-freedom-and-human-rights.xmlWorldwide Freedom and Human Rights - The Heritage Foundationen-US© Copyright 2011info@heritage.orgRSS Generator {DB23FABA-1588-4D43-BF3B-5394E90021F4}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/02/Championing-Liberty-Abroad-to-Counter-Islamist-ExtremismPromoting democracy and liberty around the world has long been a core component of U.S. foreign policy. After its initial efforts to distance itself from the Bush Administration’s policies, the Obama Administration seems to be reaffirming the U.S. commitment to supporting democratic ideals and institutions around the globe. Such efforts are particularly important in Muslim-majority countries because the principles of liberal democratic governance are a powerful antidote to Islamist extremists’ message of intolerance, hatred, and repression. The Obama Administration needs to prioritize the promotion of democracy and individual freedom both to extend the blessings of freedom to other countries and to protect U.S. national security.Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:45:00 -0500{C74102A3-D027-4A06-9617-55F59B76A2C7}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/02/Egypts-Muslim-Brotherhood-Lurks-as-a-Long-Term-Threat-to-FreedomThe Obama Administration should be careful that it does not inadvertently help the Muslim Brotherhood advance its anti-freedom agenda.Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:56:00 -0500{B4FE6D14-163D-4FB9-B68D-57CA6DA378B0}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/2011/02/United-Nations-Urgent-Problems-That-Need-Congressional-ActionThe United Nations has largely failed to maintain international peace and security, promote self-determination and basic human rights, and protect fundamental freedoms. While the conflicting interests of member states have led to many of these failures, the U.N. system itself is partly to blame. The U.N. and its affiliated organizations are plagued by outdated and redundant missions and mandates, poor management, ineffectual oversight, and a general lack of accountability. In recent years, the U.S. Congress itself has neglected its responsibility to exercise proper oversight. Congress should press for U.N. reform and withhold funding when necessary to encourage reform.Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:29:00 -0500{6EE6F758-3FFC-4074-9761-560EB76D5A1C}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/02/Top-Five-Lessons-from-the-Fight-for-Freedom-in-EgyptThe struggles in Egypt highlight foreign policy truisms that Congress and the Administration would do well to remember.Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:32:00 -0500{9911DAB4-A91D-4DB4-B593-F3AC236CD81F}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/01/Bringing-Freedom-and-Stability-to-EgyptThe U.S. should demand that any new government that emerges in Egypt act in the best interest of the Egyptian people.Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:27:00 -0500{A00BE06D-BB34-4BE7-8025-6F1A3CB6CD99}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/01/Britains-Coalition-Government-A-Preliminary-VerdictBritain and the United States face similar budgetary problems. Deficits in both coun¬tries are unsustainably high. So is public spending. Action is being taken in Britain, but in the U.S., there is continuing pressure either to take no serious action at all or to take the wrong action, most notably by repairing the deficit with tax increases or—to make matters worse—by increasing spending even further.Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:25:00 -0500{EF82463C-CC4C-4D0E-9F53-4FBA5BD65C18}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/2011/01/The-Anglosphere-and-the-Advance-of-FreedomThe ties that bind the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and in different ways other nations that share some of the values of the Anglosphere are deeper and more abiding, says former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, than the bonds between any other countries with which his country has been associated. The English-speaking nations have made an enormous contribution to the defense of liberty over the past two hundred years. Today, the instinctive familiarity and closeness of their societies make them trusted and reliable allies in the War on Terrorism.Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:15:00 -0500{61F6BF07-7636-4EDB-85DB-5221CE6D0EB2}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/12/Taiwan-Straits-Relations-Chinese-Approaching-Crisis-Management-Crunch-PointIf tensions between China and Taiwan return to their pre-Ma levels, many will ask why the U.S. did not act when it had the chance.Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:36:00 -0500{22D7937E-1648-4F52-89D1-B751F5617DB5}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/12/The-Myth-of-Isolationism-Part-1-American-Leadership-and-the-Cause-of-LibertyAmerican statecraft has been grounded, both morally and philosophically, in the principles of human liberty and America’s sense of justice. Thus, the true consistency of American foreign policy is to be found not in its policies, which prudently change and adapt, but in its guiding principles, which are unchanging and permanent. America is a defender of liberty at home. Abroad, it maintains its independence and pursues its interests while standing for the idea of political freedom across the globe. Because America stands for the principles of liberty, independence, and self-government, its interests are defined and shaped by those principles. The ideal role for the United States as articulated by the Founders gives American diplomacy a perpetual purpose. In the 21st century, the necessity of American independence and leadership is not diminished. From Bunker Hill to the Berlin Wall, the American love of liberty has inspired a commitment to see the cause of liberty triumph abroad, and U.S. foreign policy has reflected this reality.Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:45:00 -0500{CD1F5565-757B-4800-9568-CD6C72C76B70}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Testimony/Womens-Rights-Are-Human-RightsRatification of CEDAW would neither advance U.S. national interests within the international community nor enhance the rights of women in the United States. Domestically, CEDAW membership would not improve our existing comprehensive statutory framework or strengthen our enforcement system for the protection of women’s rights.Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500{95933D36-B8D3-4AE8-AF79-FB0167073A3D}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/2010/11/The-Obama-Doctrine-Hindering-American-Foreign-PolicyThe President has not yet defined the Obama Doctrine but its features are emerging through his statements and actions. These include a growing reliance on international organizations, a greater sense of humility about American values and foreign policy achievements, a reliance on foreign aid rather than military power, among other things. It is a value-neutral approach that rejects the concept of American exceptionalism. Essentially, the President hopes that if every nation can be brought to the table, they will eventually agree. In this analysis, the world is like a puzzle of equally valuable pieces that can be made to fit together. Unfortunately, other nations like Russia and China look at the world as if it were a game of chess and are moving swiftly to outmaneuver the United States. In the short term, American foreign policy is difficult to change dramatically because there are so many nonpolitical actors involved throughout the “permanent government.” The Iraq and Afghanistan deployments have been harder to wind down than President Obama foresaw, and Guantanamo Bay remains open for business. Yet with two presidential terms, much damage could be done with serious consequences for America’s ability to be a global leader.Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:19:00 -0500{680D78E4-0975-4030-9158-D92B2D0E8B83}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/North-Korea-Pressures-US-Through-ProvocationsYesterday’s artillery attack shows that the previously static situation on the Korean Peninsula is unraveling.Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:20:00 -0500{5F4CC6C2-317C-43BB-8313-A6D0AEFB1D85}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Do-Not-Expect-Much-from-Japan-During-Obama-VisitPresident Obama must make it clear that Tokyo and Washington are, and will remain, closely allied.Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:05:00 -0500{A9E8FCA4-78D3-4A61-845F-B47E0A02A6A7}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Religious-Freedom-in-EgyptThe Egyptian government has played a major role in creating and maintaining a religiously intolerant environment in Egypt that is hostile to non-Muslims and any Muslims who deviate from government-endorsed religious norms and traditions. This intolerant environment that stifles independent thinking and religious liberty is the natural breeding ground for Islamist extremists. The U.S. should encourage the Egyptian government to address this root cause of Islamist extremism by establishing and protecting true religious freedom at home.Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:01:00 -0500{7FC30AA6-4EA0-4300-A6EE-AFDF886A7026}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Real-Economic-Ties-Should-Underpin-US-Indonesia-PartnershipAll of America’s big plans for its partnership with Indonesia will be unrealized if the U.S. cannot underpin it with stronger economic ties.Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:39:00 -0400{620E64FA-67A9-4D42-902E-FE1991709B56}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Shaping-the-Future-The-Urgent-Need-to-Match-Military-Modernization-to-National-CommitmentsA decade of military conflict and two decades of underinvestment have left the U.S. military too small and inadequately equipped to answer the nation’s call today, much less tomorrow. In July 2010, a bipartisan commission warned of a coming “train wreck” if Congress does not act quickly to rebuild and modernize the U.S. military. To meet tomorrow’s needs, the tools of national security must be strengthened quickly for the U.S. to help stabilize the international environment and keep citizens safe and free, while ensuring America’s economy can prosper and grow. There is no quick or easy fix. Meeting the military’s full modernization requirements will “require a substantial and immediate additional investment that is sustained through the long term.” However, the price of U.S. weakness will be greater in the long run.Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:00:00 -0400{3C93CDDA-D8F1-4518-ABFA-AED038E93AFB}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Obamas-India-Visit-Should-Affirm-New-Delhis-Global-RoleThe President’s historic visit to India offers an opportunity to set a new course for the direction of the U.S.–India partnership.Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:16:00 -0400{C1562CFD-8C35-4062-B0C8-5DB67C4111C3}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/11/Give-Australia-Reason-to-Believe-in-American-LeadershipThe Australians have their fingers on the pulse of America’s position in the western Pacific.Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:30:00 -0400{D347F7F5-9236-409F-B9C0-E2A1A8C8D41D}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/10/Time-to-Revise-Obamas-Russian-Reset-PolicyThe U.S. should review its policies concerning Russia and the post-Soviet republics.Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:51:00 -0400{B28B0B1D-C74D-4B48-99ED-3654059EDA3F}http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/10/The-US-Takes-New-Europe-for-Granted-at-its-Own-PerilThe nations of “New Europe” have been staunch allies of the United States in the aftermath of 9/11, and have sacrificed resources and soldiers’ lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Again and again, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have shown their steadfastness and commitment to the United States. Yet America has not always returned the favor. Crucial ally Poland, as well as several other CEE countries, are still awaiting acceptance to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The “Third Site” missile defense installations, eagerly anticipated by Poland and the Czech Republic, were traded away by the Obama Administration to win Russian support on resisting Iran’s nuclear advances. CEE citizens have taken note, and public support for the U.S. and its policies has begun to waver. Russia stands poised—with an arsenal of propaganda, economic, and military might—to re-establish influence over the CEE region. The U.S. must not take support from New Europe for granted. The region has not yet been lost to Russian influence—but the U.S. must act now to preserve the crucial relationship with Central and Eastern Europe. Two of The Heritage Foundation’s most senior foreign policy analysts explain what the American government can, and should, do.Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:47:00 -0400