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Introduction There is anecdotal evidence that health messages interpreted from waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) research are inconsistent, such as comparing the health effects of one WTS session with that of 100 cigarettes. This study aimed to identify key health themes about WTS discussed by online news media, and how numerical cigarette–waterpipe equivalence (CWE) was being interpreted. Methods We identified 1065 online news articles published between March 2011 and September 2012 using the ‘Google Alerts' service. We screened for health themes, assessed statements mentioning CWE and reported differences between countries. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with articles incorrectly reporting a CWE equal to or greater than 100 cigarettes, in the absence of any comparative parameter (‘CWE ≥100 cigarettes'). Results Commonly mentioned health themes were the presence of tobacco (67%) and being as bad as cigarettes (49%), and we report on differences between countries. While 10.8% of all news articles contained at least one positive health theme, 22.9% contained a statement about a CWE. Most of these (18.6% total) were incorrectly a CWE ≥100 cigarettes, a quarter of which were made by healthcare professionals/organisations. Compared with the Middle East, articles from the USA and the UK were the most significant predictors to contain a CWE ≥100 cigarettes statement. Conclusions Those wishing to write or publish information related to WTS may wish to avoid comparing WTS to cigarettes using numerical values as this is a major source of confusion. Future research is needed to address the impact of the media on the attitudes, initiation and cessation rates of waterpipe smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background WHO estimates that seasonal influenza epidemics result in three to five million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) every year. We aimed to improve the understanding of influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates at a national and global level. Methods We performed a systematic literature review of English- and Chinese-language studies published between 1995 and 2020 estimating influenza-associated hospitalisation. We included a total of 127 studies (seven in Chinese) in the meta-analysis and analyzed their data using a logit-logistic regression model to understand the influence of five study factors and produce national and global estimates by age groups. The five study factors assessed were: 1) the method used to calculate the influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates (rateor time series regression-based), 2) the outcome measure (divided into three envelopes: narrow, medium, or wide), 3) whether every case was laboratory-confirmed or not, 4) whether the estimates were national or sub-national, 5) whether the rates were based on a single year or multiple years. Results The overall pooled influenza-associated hospitalisation rate was 40.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 24.3-67.4) per 100 000 persons, with rates varying substantially by age: 224.0 (95% CI = 118.8-420.0) in children aged 0-4 years and 96.8 (95% CI = 57.0-164.3) in the elderly aged >65 years. The overall pooled hospitalisation rates varied by calculation method; for all ages, the rates were significantly higher when they were based on rate-based methods or calculated on a single season and significantly lower when cases were laboratory-confirmed. The national hospitalisation rates (all ages) varied considerably, ranging from 11.7 (95% CI = 3.8-36.3) per 100 000 in New Zealand to 122.1 (95% CI = 41.5-358.4) per 100 000 in India (all age estimates). Conclusions Using the pooled global influenza-associated hospitalisation rate, we estimate that seasonal influenza epidemics result in 3.2 million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) per annum. More extensive analyses are required to assess the influence of other factors on the estimates (e.g. vaccination and dominant virus (sub)types) and efforts to harmonize the methods should be encouraged. Our study highlights the high rates of influenza-associated hospitalisations in children aged 0-4 years and the elderly aged 65+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study spillover effects on the stock markets of six African and nine Middle Eastern emerging economies before, during, and after the implementation of unconventional monetary policies by the United States Federal Reserve (US Fed). Weekly data covering the pre-quantitative easing (pre-QE) period, the three phases of QE, and the QE-tapering period were adopted. The methodologies employed here for detecting dual causality were as follows: classical, dynamic, and time-varying Granger causality tests. The results indicate that the Fed's non-conventional actions weakened the Fed's monetary policies' impact on the stock indices of these emerging countries. Interestingly, there is evidence that two African and three Middle Eastern countries--all different according to each of the specifications used in the methodology--were affected by the tapering of unconventional US monetary practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an explorative holistic analysis of digitally-constructed gamification processes in mathematics education. The main aim of this study is to identify the key issues, intentions and trends by examining peer-reviewed publications using a combination of social network analysis (SNA), computerized lexical analysis and content analysis. Research findings indicate that there is a growing trend in gamification in mathematics education (GIME) research. GIME is mostly employed in primary school level. It was also found that, numbers is the most gamified math topic. Another research finding reveals that the researchers mostly use gamification to improve mathematical problem-solving, math achievement and math performance apart from the motivation and engagement. According to SNA findings, the most strategic terms in GIME research are as follows; geometry, fractions, mobile-learning, gender-studies, human-computer interaction, intelligent tutoring systems and tangible user-interfaces. GIME research is mostly influenced by USA and Brazil hence, the developing countries have an increasing interest in GIME research. Finally, findings on general research discourse implies that the general discourse among the sampled papers is positive. The findings obtained in this study may be useful to improve mathematics education by mapping a research agenda for researchers and educators with the exploration of potentials of GIME research.

What is known on the subject?: There is very limited literature on the health of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, and the available studies were mostly conducted on small convenient samples in local communities.There is also a need to understand changes in the rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) during the 15 years after 2001, as there were negative effects on Arabs' health since the September 2001 aftermath. What does this paper add to existing knowledge?: The study examined the rates of SPD, the risk of SPD and its associated factors in a national sample of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States from 2001 to 2015.The study found that serious psychological distress rate was high among Middle Eastern immigrants. Being a female and having obesity were associated with a higher risk of reporting serious psychological distress among this population. What are the implications for practice?: These outcomes necessitate mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrantsFor example, developing community‐based prevention programmes is required to address risk factors of psychological distress and to increase awareness about psychological distress among Middle Eastern immigrants. Introduction: While Middle Eastern immigrants are a fast‐growing population in the United States, there is very limited literature on their mental health. Most of the available studies were conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. Aims: To examine rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) and its associated factors among Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, compared with US‐born, non‐Hispanic Whites. Methods: Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2001 to 2015 were analysed. The survey included 1,246 Middle Eastern immigrants and 232,392 US‐born, non‐Hispanic Whites. SPD was measured by the Kessler‐6 psychological distress scale. Survey analysis procedures, sampling weights and variance estimates were conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to examine differences and factors associated with SPD. Results: SPD rate was the highest among Middle Eastern immigrants (5.99%) between 2006 and 2010. Among Middle Eastern immigrants, being female and obese were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPD. Discussion: Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States suffered high rates of SPD. Gender and obesity were factors associated with SPD risk. Implications: These outcomes indicate the need for mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants, such as developing community‐based prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent crisis in the Middle East has prompted the exodus of millions of refugees from the region who are at present seeking shelter across Europe and in the United States. Among the most immediate needs of refugees upon arrival in a host country is health care, and it is one of the most sustained interactions they experience. Home visits are a common form of primary care for refugees. The authors review the literature to identify themes related to challenges and strategies for providing home based primary care to refugees. The literature review was performed by searching cross-disciplinary databases utilizing Onesearch, but focusing primarily on results produced through CINAHL, EBSCOHOST, and Pub Med databases. To maximize the number of studies included, there was no time frame placed upon publication dates of articles within the search. A total of 55 articles were included in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the author adapts the concept of culturally relevant pedagogy and the pedagogy of hope for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education. This paper aims to develop a new perspective for educating Middle Eastern Muslim students by focusing on Islam by considering being Muslim as a cultural way of being and living. Design/methodology/approach: Pedagogy of hope (Hooks, 2003), particularly the concept of healing in education and culturally relevant pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995), guided this study during the research process. Findings: Three themes of culturally relevant pedagogy through a picturebook by Mobin-Uddin (2007) entitled "The Best Eid Ever" was examined to illustrate how this picturebook can be used as an example of culturally relevant pedagogy. Research limitations/implications: The limitation is the researcher's interpretation as a Middle Eastern Muslim who lived in a Western country. "The Best Eid Ever" (2007) can be used in the classroom for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education to discursively build a positive identity and educate students from different backgrounds. More studies may investigate other texts (e.g. novels) with Middle Eastern Muslim characters. Further research can also explore the use of this book in the classroom. Originality/value: This study provides qualitative description of a picturebook from culturally relevant pedagogy and pedagogy of hope to guide teachers to bolster Middle Eastern Muslim students' schooling experiences.

This paper reports the findings of a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer on 392 Scopus database documents published from 2003 to 2022, aiming to understand the global landscape of the e-learning field and to identify the most prominent authors, institutions, countries and reference publications, as well as the research topics that have recently received the most attention in students' readiness for e-learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The findings indicate that there has been an upward trend in e-learning readiness among students in HEIs over time. Among the countries studied, the United States, Taiwan, Australia, and Malaysia were found to have the most effective approaches to addressing students' readiness for e-learning. The most highly cited author in this field is M-L. Hung. Based on the citations, the most recognised journal in this field was "Computers and Education" and the universities that were most persuasive were two Taiwan universities in the first position. The data also revealed relatively low levels of collaboration among authors, institutions and nations regarding students' readiness for e-learning.

This paper explores the implications of the tectonic shifts in the global balance of power marked by the rise of China and India and the relative decline of American hegemony across the Indian Ocean region – bordered as it is by five continents and some 40 countries. Located at the Middle Eastern end of it are the strategic chokepoints of the Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz, and at the Asian end the Strait of Malacca. However, while the Middle East and Asia are ever more interconnected across this third-largest ocean (and also along the reviving terrestrial ‘Silk Road’) through trade, finance and culture, the paper does not foresee an imminent confrontation in the Middle East between the rising Asian superpowers and the United States. Nonetheless, it is contended that President Barack Obama's dramatic ‘rebalancing’ project indicates that America intends to intensify its support for the small Asian states worried about China's assertiveness in the East and South China seas, while at the same time insisting that this ‘pivot’ does not mean a diminution of US power in the Middle East. For the time being, it seems that China and India are content to remain ‘free riders’ in the Middle East, uninterested in challenging the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers a key academic support of US geopolitics overseas, which I term the 'military-strategic studies complex'. The paper begins by outlining the development of Strategic Studies in the US since the early 1980s. It then uses the example of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments to work through a discussion of the palpable agency of the military-strategic studies complex in advancing a dual military-economic securitization strategy for what it calls the contemporary American 'leasehold empire'. This strategy is focused especially on the Persian Gulf and involves both an enduring US military presence and long-term neoliberal designs for the region. Finally, consideration is given to alternative military-strategic visions before attention is turned to the task of Geography in countering US geopolitical and geoeconomic scriptings of the Middle East, all expedited under a vernacular of 'national security'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of speech-language pathology--related specialists (SPs) and speech-language pathology (SLP) students toward stuttering. Furthermore, we identified the factors that influence changes in the attitudes of SLP students and SPs in various countries. Method: Using a search formula, the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to conduct primary and secondary screening for analysis. All previous studies included in the systematic review focused on SPs or SLP students and were published in English. Studies were collected and screened independently by the first and second authors and then discussed between them. Twenty-two studies with varying research designs and sample sizes were included in the systematic review. Finally, information on authors, publishing year, participant, country or region, assessment materials, and the results were extracted and organized before analysis. Results: Twenty-two articles from eight countries and one region (Middle East) were extracted. The results showed that SLP students and SPs in different countries have different attitudes toward stuttering depending on their education, experience, geographic location, cultural status, and societal development, but stereotypes of people who stutter (PWS) persist (e.g., nervous), and the attitudes toward the clinics appear to be more negative in Western countries. Conclusions: Negative attitudes toward PWS remain among both SLP students and SPs. Thus, the factors that may influence the attitudes of SLP students and SPs should be taken into account in academic and clinical education in fluency disorders, and the education content must be structured to improve the quality of education and the attitude toward PWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Interprofessional continuing education (IPCE) health care educators must plan activities as members of interprofessional teams and deliver activities to an interprofessional audience. Evidence in the literature suggests they are not well prepared to meet this challenge. This paper reviews one strategy to improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices of IPCE educators. Methods: Seven faculty development workshops were conducted within the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Approximately 250 learners participated in the workshops in total, with 107 in an IRB-approved research study. Results: From the research cohorts demonstrated improved knowledge and skills over a 12-month period. Knowledge and skills scores increased most significantly from baseline to 3 months and remained above baseline at 6-12 months. The workshop was not an effective strategy to improve attitudes towards IPCE, though attitude scores were already high prior to participating. Conclusions: All participants actively engaged in the workshops. There were no observed differences in engagement by geographic region, gender, age, or profession. Participants stated they were better able to understand the roles of other team members; perspectives of patients, families, and caregivers; and their own roles on clinical teams. Participants described gaining a new appreciation for the complexity of designing IPCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at investigating comparatively the ethical orientation of information technology (IT) professionals in the Middle East and the United States. It tests for attitudes toward and awareness of ethically-related issues, namely intellectual property, privacy and other general ethical IT aspects. In addition, through a comparison between the two regions, this paper intends to examine whether differences in IT professional demographics and characteristics, including gender and academic level, have any impact on attitudes to business ethics. A t test is used to establish significant differences between the targeted samples, while an ANOVA F- test is conducted to determine significant differences among the sample countries on a group basis. The results show a general awareness of ethical issues concerning information technology, and no significant differences are found between the two samples. However, different ethical attitudes are reported among respondents in terms of their reactions to the targeted IT ethical aspects. On an individual sample basis, the results about gender support the claim that male and female respondents are different, while mixed results are revealed for the influence of academic level on attitudes towards IT ethics. For intellectual property, the results are significant regarding ethical attitude differences between Middle-Eastern professionals and their counterparts in the US, while no significance differences are reported in terms of privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City system is usually shaped by the prevailing development model. Since current development model is un-sustainable in the long term - because of the raw materials price volatility and furthermore because of its huge impacts on the environment, - it is clear that a new development model is needed. Thus, in this paper we analyze the role of city-systems in order to promote such new development paradigm, highlighting that its real implementation depends not only on legislative framework and technological improvements, but it is mainly a matter of values, a matter of culture. Finally we identified a possible evolution path which considers 'western cities' (Europe, North-America, Japan and some selected in the Middle East) as key entrance point and the most fertile location for really starting a new development paradigm implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses some key scholarship on ethnicity, including work by Glazer, Moynihan, Sollors, and Hollinger, as a backdrop for re-examining specific plays by Arthur Miller, especially The Crucible and After the Fall. While looking closely at distinctive expressions of ethnicity related to Miller's Jewish-American status, the paper argues that the playwright should not be thought of as a "pluralist" or "cosmopolitanist" but rather as a "universalist." Miller deserves distinctive credit for his ability to invoke situations where rhetoric transcends the particularities of ethnicity and sheds light not just on American, or Jewish, or Jewish-American history, but also, for example, on the current situation in the Middle East. The playwright also demonstrates how rigid identification with one side of a conflict can blind us to the omnipresence of evil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response to a study on whether terrorism is a force for urban dispersal or whether terrorism drives people together is presented. It cites the costly travel effect and the city walls effect which counter the tall targets effect. The author says that terrorism is in decline in Europe and North America, but is on the rise in the Middle East. The incidence of terrorism in large cities in the U.S. and Great Britain which is indicative of the tall targets effect is mentioned. The article elaborates on the correlation between terrorism and urban land use.

For a long time, the US policymakers have called for restrain over the country's high rate of oil consumption, as well as reducing its dependence on imported oil from the Middle East. It is against this backdrop that this study examines America's efforts to articulate a comprehensive long-term energy policy to address, among other things, these concerns. In doing so, the study began by analysing the US Energy Policy Act of 2005, (Public law 109–58) given particular attention to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf of Mexico. The paper also discusses energy cooperation between the US and two Middle Eastern OPEC producers - Saudi Arabia and Libya. The paper attempts to put up a three-fold argument: that US heavy dependence on oil is likely to continue; that production from OPEC Members, particularly from Middle East, will meet the growing US and global oil demand, and that unilateral approach to energy issues will not succeed, but an inclusive approach to promote cooperation between producers and consumers to best serve the interests of all players and enhance global economic prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that legality is hot enough and chat sound public affairs underpins the legitimacy of a political system. It examines the impact of lost legitimacy on Tony Blair, President Bush and America's foreign policy. The author draws historical comparisons between Britain in the Middle East in the 1920s and the USA's problems today and suggests that the fundamental problem is the lack of legitimacy in the region's politics. The paper concludes by asserting that the legitimacy of the EU political system will be endangered while public understanding of its institutions remains limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral disorders are still a major global public health challenge, considering their perpetuating and chronic nature. Currently, there is no direct index to measure the quality of care on a population scale. Hence, we aim to propose a new index to measure the quality of care for oral disorders worldwide. Methods: We generated our database using the data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2017. Among different variables such as prevalence, incidence, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life years, we utilised principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the component that bears the greatest proportion of information to generate the novel quality of care index (QCI) for oral disorders. Results: Global QCI for oral disorders gradually increased from 1990 to 2017 (from 70.5 to 74.6). No significant gender disparity was observed during this period, and the gender disparity ratio (GDR) was considered optimal in 1990 and 2017. Between 1990 and 2017, the age-standardised QCI for all oral disorders increased in all the SDI regions. The highest QCI for all oral disorders in 2017 belonged to high-middle SDI countries (=80.24), and the lowest YLDs rate was seen in the low SDI quintile. In 1990, the quality of care in European, Central Asian, and Central and South American countries was in the lowest quintiles, whereas the North American, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and some African countries had the highest quality of dental care. Maynmar (=100), Uganda (=92.5), Taiwan (=92.0), China (=92.5), and the United States (=89.2) were the five countries with the highest age-standardised QCI. Nicaragua (=41.3), Belgium (=40.2), Venezuela (=38.4), Sierra Leone (=30.5), and the Gambia (=30.3) were the five countries with the least age-standardised QCI values. Conclusion: The quality of care for all oral disorders showed an increasing trend on a global scale from 1990 to 2017. However, the QCI distribution was not homogenous among various regions. To prevent the exacerbation of imminent disparities in this regard, better attention to total tooth loss in high-income countries and prioritising primary healthcare provision in low-income countries are recommended for oral disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the effects of flipped learning on L2 students' overall academic achievements through meta-analysis. Forty studies (e.g., journal articles, M.A/Ph.D. theses and conference papers) on 'flipped classroom', 'flipped learning' and 'academic achievement' were included in this meta-analysis study. The data was analyzed by using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. The random effects model was used in analyzing the overall effect size and the heterogeneity of the studies included in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that flipped learning has statistically significant effect on L2 learners' academic achievements (g=1.303) compared to traditional learning approaches. This result does not differ according to publication type, educational level and four basic language skills and sub-skills, but it differs according to sample size of the selected studies.

Background: Patient safety in primary care is an emerging field of research with a growing evidence base in western countries but little has been explored in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) including the Sultanate of Oman. This study aimed to review the literature on the safety culture and patient safety measures used globally to inform the development of safety culture among health care workers in primary care with a particular focus on the Middle East. Methods: A systematic review of the literature. Searches were undertaken using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus from the year 2000 to 2014. Terms defining safety culture were combined with terms identifying patient safety and primary care. Results: The database searches identified 3072 papers that were screened for inclusion in the review. After the screening and verification, data were extracted from 28 papers that described safety culture in primary care. The global distribution of the articles is as follows: the Netherlands (7), the United States (5), Germany (4), the United Kingdom (1), Australia, Canada and Brazil (two for each country), and with one each from Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The characteristics of the included studies were grouped under the following themes: safety culture in primary care, incident reporting, safety climate and adverse events. The most common theme from 2011 onwards was the assessment of safety culture in primary care (13 studies, 46%). The most commonly used safety culture assessment tool is the Hospital survey on patient safety culture (HSOPSC) which has been used in developing countries in the Middle East. Conclusions: This systematic review reveals that the most important first step is the assessment of safety culture in primary care which will provide a basic understanding to safety-related perceptions of health care providers. The HSOPSC has been commonly used in Kuwait, Turkey, and Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why was the US intervention in Iraq in 2003 and thereafter unsuccessful? Many writers, such as Brendan R. Gallagher, have rightly pointed to the poor US planning and the prior conditions in Iraq. I suggest a third aspect--nationalist resistance to the idea of foreign forces controlling Iraq and denying Iraqis full decision-making autonomy. The heavy US application of military force sparked a backlash which manifested itself in three ways. First, US military intervention in Iraq created or facilitated the growth of actors who are or later become US adversaries. Second, it changed the balance of power in favor of US adversaries and against the United States and its allies. Third, it made the United States government central to the war narratives of some actors. Demonizing or fighting the United States became a rallying cry and a source of recruitment and fundraising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts individuals' mental health (MH). The PA-MH relationship may be critical among immigrants owing to psycho-social-cultural influences. This scoping review of 61 studies employed a holistic bio-psycho-socio-cultural framework to thoroughly investigate the complex relationship between PA (across life domains) and immigrants' MH in Western countries. A systematic search of five electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Anthropology Plus) was conducted to locate relevant articles. No limitations were applied to study design, age, gender, home country, MH condition or PA type. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed conceptual model guided the analysis of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship. Immigrant PA-MH studies were conducted and reported most commonly in the USA (38%), Australia (18%), and Canada (11%). Overall, PA was positively related to MH. Each domain-specific PA appeared to be associated with unique MH-promoting pathways/mechanisms. Leisure-related PA may support MH by enhancing self-agency and minimizing risky behaviors, whilst travel- and domestic-related PA may promote self-accomplishment and physical engagement. Ethnic sports appeared to enhance resilience. Occupational-related PA was associated with either positive or negative MH, depending on the type of occupation. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed model is required to gain an encompassing and integrated understanding of immigrants' health. The first iteration of such a model is presented here, along with an illustration of how the model may be used to deepen analysis and understanding of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship among immigrants and inform public health planners and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper asks to what extent the mainstream press may be responsible for the American public's lack of moral and emotional investment in US counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Reviewing the stagnating effect that conventional journalistic practices recently have had on American foreign policy in the Middle East, and considering in particular the kinds of information that mainstream print and broadcast outlets tend to overlook, suppress, or misrepresent, I argue that the obstacles to compassionate and educative reporting on international conflicts are not merely geographic, economic, or logistical; nor are they necessarily rooted in unbridgeable ethnic, linguistic, or sociopolitical divisions. More accurately, they are ideological, in ways that tend tobut do not have tocorroborate and facilitate the kinds of evolutionary biases that have been demonstrated by recent social, anthropological, and philosophical studiesbiases favoring one's own culture, race, and class. I conclude that the mainstream press has a more strenuous obligation to counter the pressures of phylogeny, ideology, and political expediency that have shaped America's popular and political discourses on the global war on terror. While the press (like other social institutions) cannot simply shed the powerful influences of nature and culture, it does have the capacity to transform the discursive terrain on which it stands, to turn away from habits and assumptions that have proven poorly adapted to changing historical circumstances and to embrace a more cosmopolitan conception of international law and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two ways that oil exports from the Middle East can be disrupted in the current political climate are sanctions on Iran and Iran blockading the Strait of Hormuz. In considering the impact that these actions might have on the United States and other oil importers, it is important to consider such factors as characteristics of the blocked oil, how other exporters might react, and the possible release by importers of strategic reserves. The paper also provides some historical perspective on how past supply disruptions were resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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