A three-part special feature that highlights articles written by college journalists who attended the Collegiate Network's Geo-Strategic Journalism Course in 2007. Students attending the course, which is a two-week program that takes place in Washington DC and Prague, Czech Republic, submit an article about the Czech Republic that incorporates their experiences in Prague.

Part One — "Vaclav Klaus’s conservative influence: How one man’s views and personality will shape Czech history"
Whitney Blake, University of Virginia

The election of Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus in 2003 furthered a new era of conservatism, with Klaus following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Vaclav Havel. And Klaus’s blunt mannerisms have further accentuated his brand of conservatism and his country’s advocacy for conservative views on key issues, even if it has meant going against the grain of global and domestic public opinion. His frankness has received a significant amount of attention, and his personality may shape geopolitical relationships for the foreseeable future.  [more]

Part Two — "An Alliance in Crisis?"
John McCormack, George Washington University

The mayor of Plzen told U.S. Ambassador Richard Graber, “Plzen is more American than some American cities,” Graber recounted in an interview. But there are signs that goodwill and warm feelings may not be enough to sustain the most important geostrategic initiative ever attempted during the post-Cold War U.S.-Czech relationship: the installation of a U.S. radar system in the Czech Republic as part of a missile defense shield for Europe.  [more]

Part Three — "The Fourth-rate Estate: Journalism in Post-Communist Countries"
Brandon Stewart, Wabash College

One of the many aspects of life that was shattered under communism was the operation of a free and unencumbered press. As countries have set out to repair their homelands from the corrosive effects of totalitarianism, well trained journalists have proven to be an essential tool to shape their growth.  [more]