Sources so far

The UN and the Arab-Israeli conflict: what has been learned in 25 years?
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c26278b4-c686-4661-9c39-3f34a1c9cd8a%40sessionmgr4005&vid=0&hid=4212

Occupation: The Missing Word

Marshall, Rachelle. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs25.6 (Aug 2006): 7-9.

http://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/218791137?accountid=11243

DEVELOPMENT UNDER OCCUPATION?: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF U.S. AID TO THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP

by Sara Roy

http://www.jstor.org/stable/41857992?seq=1&Search=yes&searchText=sp%3A65&searchText=vo%3A13&searchText=sn%3A0271-3519&searchText=AND&searchText=year%3A1991&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dsn%253A0271-3519%2BAND%2Bsp%253A65%2BAND%2Bvo%253A13%2BAND%2Byear%253A1991%26amp%3Bymod%3DYour%2Binbound%2Blink%2Bdid%2Bnot%2Bhave%2Ban%2Bexact%2Bmatch%2Bin%2Bour%2Bdatabase.%2BBut%2Bbased%2Bon%2Bthe%2Belements%2Bwe%2Bcould%2Bmatch%252C%2Bwe%2Bhave%2Breturned%2Bthe%2Bfollowing%2Bresults.&prevSearch=&resultsServiceName=null

SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.
by Sara Powell
http://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=fxh&AN=4432856&site=ehost-live

U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians 

Jim Zanotti
http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS22967.pdf

Position paper preliminary research

Position paper preliminary research

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http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/development/

http://mideastafrica.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/08/03/rethinking_aid_to_palestine

http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS22967.pdf

Going onto the UN website (which essentially runs the world and is very involved in international aid) reminded me of a post I saw on tumblr (bonus link: http://stunningpicture.tumblr.com/post/93883138612/i-dont-know-shit-about-photography-but-the) which inspired me to do a little more research. I've always been a little pessimistic about intentions of governments, lack of what seesm to be logical humanity, and whatnot. And since I remember some middle eastern conflict from several months last year, I think I'm interested in the controversial actions and nonactions of the UN regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, focusing especially on the international/humanitarian aid that is given, and how it is received and used (also how the Israeli side comes into the picture).

It may be a little too broad right now, but I'm willing to whittle it down.
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Response to the Health Position Paper by the Department for International Development

Response to the Health Position Paper by the Department for International Development

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The first thing that struck me about this position paper - specifically its structure - is its striking similarity to that of the policy debate cases that I used to write in high school. These cases presented a problem in society, various issues associated if that problem was to persist, and then a detailed outline of a plan, after which we presented an inherency, its advantages, and how it would solve that problem.

There is a specific name to this sort of structured CX or policy case, which also applies to the type of evaluation some judges participate in. These are called 'stock issues', and there are 5 main ones: Inherency, Harms, Advantages, Solvency, and Topicality. Inherency and Topicality are less applicable in the position paper because it is not an essential part of convincing a third party. In addition, this particular paper does not include either; however, topicality (staying within the broad prompt) underlies the entire idea of health and proposing health solutions for a health problem. Inherency acts in a similar manner - it exists to make sure the proposal is not the same exact thing as another.

In this position paper, I noticed emphasis and clearly separated sections of the problem that they are trying to solve, what the organization does and what it does in relation to the solution, the risks of not addressing the issue, and the various components needed to carry it out and why it would work. With my background in CX debate, (although it's been around a year since I've written cases,) this style is familiar to me and should not (and hopefully turns out as such) be a huge-gantic struggle. To be honest, however, motivation issues always exist and they may be the bigger problem.

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Response to "Society of Christian Ethics" by M. Therese Lysaught

Response to "Society of Christian Ethics" by M. Therese Lysaught

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This article took a really long time getting to the main point and to the subject in which I am much more interested in - Paul Farmer's story. The exposition could have been shortened by at least several pages, and summarized. Essentially what Lysaught is saying is that the practice of medicine needs to be drastically overhauled - or rather, it needs to be undertaken with a new frame of mind, and the one of 'becoming friends with the world' results in negative consequences for its inhabitants. But more specifically, it is the needy and poor that suffer. He advocates friendship with God, which in my opinion, has both its pros and cons. First of all, the benefits would be that everyone would carry the same ideals as him and would be sure to act on those principles. However, a) not everyone believes in the christian god, b) while it might hypothetically work, everyone has their own interpretations of God's word, and realistically, it is impossible. But if somehow they were able to share God's way "of being and acting in the world", then maybe...but really what Lysaught is proposing is completely idealistic. I applaud those who attempt to follow that lifestyle, and I really quite respect them for their work (Paul Farmer) regardless.

Lysaught later talks about sickness and how "illness threatens the community with social division and alienation" (p 177). I particularly noticed the 'alienation' aspect - which is reflected throughout the world. Consider poverty, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other diseases - it is most evident in the poorest nations and areas of a state. "Normal" people almost always refuse to associate themselves as humans with those suffering, even when their socio-economic state (in a perfect world) should not make a difference in our perception of them. Illness doesn't only affect the community, it also affects the world with alienation and social division - and unfortunately, this is much too widespread to correct in the short term. most only feel pity for those affected, and pity in and of itself because of these factors is a result of sickness such as these and an aspect of division and alienation.

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Response to Pierre Ly and Geri Mason's "Individual Preferences Over Development Projects: Evidence from Microlending on Kiva

Response to Pierre Ly and Geri Mason's "Individual Preferences Over Development Projects: Evidence from Microlending on Kiva

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So essentially this is a research paper on how lenders or donors choose what projects to support. Kiva.org, however large, is only a portion of the platforms out there. However, it is a good reference point due to the relative diverse options it gives and similarity to the general market availability of charity channels. (td;lr I'm not sure how large kiva.org is, but if it does offer the wide variety of options that this report suggests, then it is a good platform to study this subject.)

He describes it as a peer-to-peer microfinance system of charitable giving, which connects generous donors with developing world entrepreneurs. I find it interesting that it doesn't seem as a purely give-what-they-are-lacking; like many do with money directed towards healthcare, clothing, books, etc. Rather, it seems like more of an investment-like system, which confused me when I first started reading through it due to words like 'lending' and "repayment".

I also understand the psychology of donors wanting to know that their funds were used well and were effective towards alleviating poverty. And relating to the title of the article, recipient profiles are likely formatted and worded to highlight the facts that will net them the most funds. Examples: previous successes, lower goal, and allocation towards areas most popular with the wealthy philanthropists.

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