We Need a Global Refugee Policy

The International Community Isn't Keeping Up With the Need for Humanitarian Assistance

Contrary to what you might think given the amount of attention focused on Europe’s response to the surging number of refugees knocking on its door, this crisis isn’t primarily a problem facing Europe. More than three-quarters of the 4 million refugees from Syria’s civil conflict remain in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The ensuing strain on these countries is hard to overstate. In Lebanon, for instance, one in four people is now a refugee, a proportion which would translate into 80 million refugees if we were talking about the United States.

Conflict …

By Phil Orchard | October 21, 2015

Now That Americans Love Soccer, We’ve Also Become Its Referee

How FIFA Corruption Charges And New U.S. Fans Could Alter the Pitch for the World's Most Popular Sport

by Andrés Martinez | June 1, 2015

Not too long ago, Americans couldn’t care less about the world’s most popular sport. Now we care so much we are not only going to be a force to be …

Why the Americas Are Letting Venezuela Self-Destruct

At the Turn of the 21st Century, Latin American Nations Made Commitments to Defend Democracy. Those Days Are Gone.

by Christopher Sabatini | March 5, 2015

Elected leaders across the hemisphere gathered to condemn and possibly sanction a neighboring president who closed down independent media and harassed political opponents.

Venezuela? If only. That was Peru in 2000.

The …

Will Cuba Go From Enemy to Frenemy?

What the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations Means for the U.S. and Our Island Neighbor

February 28, 2015

Just this past week, historic talks were held in Washington with the goal of inching closer to a goal that, for decades, has been unimaginable: restored diplomatic relations between the …

Pope Francis Is Making a Big Mistake

Visiting America and Skipping California Is Like Going to Italy Without Seeing Rome

by Joe Mathews | February 26, 2015

Dear Pope Francis,

You may be infallible, but your scheduler? Not so much.

The itinerary for your highly anticipated trip to the United States this September defies belief: You are only visiting …

Bring It On, China

Geoff Dyer of the ‘Financial Times’ on Why China Will Ultimately Fail to Unseat the U.S. and Dominate the World

by Sarah Rothbard | February 14, 2014

“I’m the guy who went to live in China and came away believing in the U.S.,” former Financial Times Beijing bureau chief Geoff Dyer told a Zócalo audience.

Dyer, the author …

international relations

We Need a Global Refugee Policy

The International Community Isn't Keeping Up With the Need for Humanitarian Assistance

Now That Americans Love Soccer, We’ve Also Become Its Referee

How FIFA Corruption Charges And New U.S. Fans Could Alter the Pitch for the World's Most Popular Sport

Why the Americas Are Letting Venezuela Self-Destruct

At the Turn of the 21st Century, Latin American Nations Made Commitments to Defend Democracy. Those Days Are Gone.

Will Cuba Go From Enemy to Frenemy?

What the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations Means for the U.S. and Our Island Neighbor

Pope Francis Is Making a Big Mistake

Visiting America and Skipping California Is Like Going to Italy Without Seeing Rome

Bring It On, China

Geoff Dyer of the ‘Financial Times’ on Why China Will Ultimately Fail to Unseat the U.S. and Dominate the World

Get More Zócalo

When San Francisco Tried to Be the World’s ‘Queer Sanctuary’ for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

In the 2010s, the Bay Area Worked to Resettle LGBTQ People Fleeing Persecution—but Then Policies Changed

Why We Shouldn’t See Refugees as Huddled Masses

Media Images Portray Displaced People as Speechless and Without History

For Refugees in America, Even the Light Switches Can Be Bewildering

Getting into the U.S. Is Hard. Adapting to Life Here Is Harder Still.

Learning in the Midst of a Humanitarian Crisis

In Its Struggle to Respond to a Massive Surge of Refugees, the EU Needs a More Collaborative and Global Approach

Get More Zócalo