What is it about Buddhists that encourages their intense involvement in politics?  

Remember Vietnam?  The horrific images of self-immolating Buddhist monks were key in bringing that US war to its end. 

How will the present Tibetan situation resolve?  

Who in the United States speaks out with similar committed energy?

Here is a link to a news article about the current crisis and the history over the last half century which has brought Tibet into conflict with China.

Photo courtesy cleo buster.