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U.S. Ambassador to France Talks to ScoopDaily
The U.S. has a significant presence in France; in addition to the main Embassy in Paris, the U.S. operates consular offices in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Rennes and Lille. Ambassador Rivkin was appointed by President Obama on June 1, 2009 and was sworn into office on August 3rd. He graciously answered my questions regarding Franco-American relations, diplomacy and business.
What is your connection to France and the French language, and what about diplomacy interests you?
My family has deep connections to France. My father participated in General Patton’s French campaign during World War II for which he was decorated by the French government. My parents sent me to study at the Franco-American Institute in Rennes. I later interned at Renault. I also went to Cannes every year while managing a media firm.
I have been exposed …
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College Grad Job Blues Not Just in US
With the U.S. unemployment rate for 16-to-24-year-0lds at more than 18%, the current generation is getting hit hard by the effects of an economic crisis brought on largely by older professionals on Wall Street. But of course, America is not the only country feeling the negativity; as Business Week recently published, this reality may in turn be contributing to the demise of a whole generation of graduates.
For the same age range, unemployment in Spain is at a whopping 39%, France is over 24%et Britain 19%. For many youth in the French banlieue (the word for suburb, with a negative connotation), there is an added risk of racism complicating matters for third-generation French from North Africa who want to get hired. In the recent French magazine Entreprendre (December 2009) some of these former banlieue residents are now successful entrepreneurs – men and women.
Karim Astitou is the CEO of Alys …
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Afghanistan and The Winter of Discontent
With the latest news that President Barack Obama will soon be deciding whether or not to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, it is important to know in more detail about the contributions of the coalition. Called the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), it includes 42 countries, 28 of which are North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.
ISAF’s duties include engaging local Afghan communities, training the Afghan National Army (ANA), supporting the Afghan National Police (ANP), humanitarian assistance, governance, anti-narcotics control and other vital functions. They are part of the reason Obama called this the “just war” during his presidential campaign, as ISAF adds a level of international legitimacy.
One organization suffering from a crisis of legitimacy at the moment, however, is the Afghan National Government. This could have detrimental effects on how successful the overall Afghanistan War turns out, and the level of engagement between the U.S. …
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The New Europe After Lisbon
As the U.S. continues to struggle in the aftermath of a brutal economic recession, becoming ever-more indebted while spending unprecedented amounts on stimulus programs and fighting two expensive wars, emerging economies like China, India and Brazil are experiencing growth and expanding investment in scientific research and renewable energy technologies.
Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympic Games, South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup, Russia the 2014 Winter Olympics and Brazil will get both (2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics). China holds an estimated $1.5 trillion in dollar reserves and is signing many free trade pacts while the U.S. relies on it to finance its ballooning debt and deficit. The G20 has replaced the G8. These all serve as reminders of the gradually changing balance of geopolitical and economic power in the world. Indeed, we may be witnessing the beginning of the end of what former French Foreign Minister Hubert …
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Yes "Oui" Can? Informing the Healthcare Debate: The French Example
As the healthcare debate remains intense in Washington and across the country, leaving fiery protests at town hall meetings in its wake, one way to have a more knowledgeable discussion is by looking to examples of healthcare in other countries.
The Obama administration has been criticized by some conservatives as wanting to impose a socialist system in not just healthcare but also in economic matters. One of the countries referred to the most by both critics and proponents of Obama’s policies is France, the supposed beacon of socialism and the welfare state. It is important, however, to get beyond ideologies and examine the facts. What could the U.S. learn from the French healthcare system, both what to do and what not to do?
France’s public health system provides a basic form of mandatory health coverage for everyone, including foreign residents like myself with valid working papers. …
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