Author: Mel Gurtov

I am Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Portland State University (Oregon) and Senior Editor of Asian Perspective, an international affairs quarterly, after many years (1994-2017) as Editor-in-Chief. I have published over 20 books on the international politics of East Asia, US foreign policy, and human-security issues. My latest books are Engaging Adversaries: Peacemaking and Diplomacy in the Human Interest (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018) and Will This Be China's Century? A Skeptic's View (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2013) This blog is dedicated to promoting ideas, policies, and organizations that seek to advance international understanding and the quality of life, especially for the largely impoverished global majority. I do not purport to represent the human interest; but my analysis of world affairs does seek to promote the human interest, guided above all by humane values and ideals rather than by the interests of governments or corporations. As a global citizen, my priorities are social justice, environmental protection, human rights, and peace. Greed, injustice, and violence are my targets; and diplomacy focused on engagement is my preferred strategy for transcending differences. Einstein once said that “those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act." I write with that sense of responsibility. I currently am writing a book, "Engaging Enemies," that focuses on strategies of engagement, with case studies of US relations with Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and China, as well as Israel-Palestine. I live in Deadwood, a very small community in western Oregon, where I help my wife in the beautiful Heirloom apple orchard she has created.