For the past two and a half years, a big part of my job at Global Solutions has involved managing the work of our political action committee, Global Solutions PAC.  I've met with congressional candidates from around the country, listened to their views on foreign policy, recommended endorsements and contributions to their campaigns, and attended fundraisers to show our support.  It's been a great experience, and one that has taught me quite a lot. 

Now, as I prepare to leave Global Solutions and embrace new opportunities, I look back on my time here and have a few thoughts and memories I'd like to share with you.

It doesn't take a genius or political pundit to know that most Americans are not primarily focused on foreign policy this year as they decide which candidates they want to send to the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives.  Most voters, understandably, are more focused on jobs and the economy.  However, there is plenty of evidence that voters do want to see a U.S. foreign policy that remains engaged outside our borders and works with allies and international institutions to build a better world.  For example, according to a recent survey by the Better World Campaign:

Saudi Arabian Women Athletes

Saudi Arabia is notorious for its troublesome human rights record and most especially for denying women an assortment of basic liberties.  However, in a brief moment of openness, the Saudi government announced it will allow two women athletes to compete in this year’s London Olympics.  It will be the first time that women are allowed to compete on behalf of the Islamic monarchy.  This represents a dramatic shift in policy given that women are not allowed to participate in physical education classes or attend a gym.  Their participation means that all competing countries at the Olympics will have women athletes after Brunei and Qatar relented this year.  

The two athletes are named Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani (competing in Judo) and Sarah Attar (competing in the 800-meter race).  The women will not be allowed to interact with men, must wear “suitable” clothing, and must be accompanied at all times.  While it is an encouraging development, it is unclear whether the announcement will have ripple effects for nearly fifteen million Saudi women.  

It's hardly surprising at the point, but no less sad and infuriating.  Once again, Russia and China have used their permanent veto-wielding power on the U.N. Security Council to protect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rather than the citizens his regime continues to butcher.

In another double-veto today, Russia and China voted against a Security Council resolution which would have threatened the Syrian regime with sanctions in an effort to end the bloodshed there which has gone on for more than a year and killed at least 14,000 civilians.  It's not the first time Russia and China have vetoed efforts to stop Syria's crimes against its people; they've been standing in staunch opposition to any such action by the international community for months now.  And whether it's the result of Russia's ties to the Assad regime, a belief that the U.N.-approved campaign in Libya last year overreached its mandate, or the fear of what message international efforts in Syria might send to their own restive populations at home, ultimately means very little. 

What matters is that the Syrian peace process continues to fail, and two-fifths of the Security Council continues to shield a tyrant and international pariah who happens to be a head of state.

Social media is now a part of everyday life for millions of people across the world and even more so for young people. Organizers behind the 2012 Olympic Games in London aim to capture this momentum by integrating services like Facebook and Twitter into this summer's games.  There are already four official Twitter accounts associated with the event, a Youtube channel, Facebook page, Flickr slideshow, iPhone app, the list goes on and on.