Two world leaders in the past week have written op-ed pieces for American newspapers, causing some to wonder if this medium of expression will become a trend. Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a piece that appeared in The New York Times on Sept. 11, the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. He said he wrote the article because he believes the U.S. government and media demonize him and his ideas. On Friday, Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani appeared in The Washington Post’s Opinion page with his article “Why Iran Seeks Constructive Engagement," explaining his desire to engage America in dialogue over Syria and breakthrough tense U.S.-Iranian relations. Newspapers have been used by U.S. presidents in the past. Back in 2011, two months after the shooting tragedy in Tuscon, Ariz., President Barack Obama laid out his gun control philosophy and plans in an editorial in the modest Arizona Daily Star. President Bill Clinton also used to express his opinions editorially in The Irish Times.
