Blogs

This article examines how melting Arctic ice has spurred geopolitical competition over seabed claims and trade routes. Notably, Russia has capitalized on thawing conditions—and weakening Western deterrence—to escalate military presence, including the deployment of nuclear-capable Tu-95 “Bear” bombers armed with long-range cruise missiles near Alaska.

This analysis cautions that despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent positive rhetoric, the war in Ukraine is far from concluded. Initial hopes for a decisive breakthrough in 2023 have been stalled, and Graham argues that neither side can claim victory soon—suggesting a continued stalemate rather than an immediate end to the conflict.

This article contrasts the strategic “pivots” by Presidents Nixon and Obama toward China. It traces how Nixon’s 1970s opening reshaped U.S.-China relations, later echoed in Obama’s Asia “pivot,” and evaluates how Beijing’s evolving influence forces Washington to rethink long-term engagement and geopolitical competition.

This piece explores Iran’s cautious yet deliberate involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Tehran avoids direct military escalation, preferring ideological support toward Hamas (distinct from its direct proxy control of Hezbollah), it provides arms and training selectively — carefully calibrated to avoid triggering broader confrontation under Western pressure.

This article explores how America’s shifting demographics—including growing Arab and Muslim communities and vocal voices like Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Bella Hadid—are influencing public opinion on Israel–Palestine. While Israel still commands strong support, recent upticks in grassroots pro-Palestinian sentiment, particularly on college campuses post-Hamas attack, reflect broader changes in the U.S. societal landscape.

The piece argues that deeply embedded religious-nationalist ideologies on both Israeli and Palestinian sides pose a formidable barrier to peace. Israeli government policies—like the 2018 Nation-State Law and settlement expansion—and steadfast Hamas resistance signal that, without significant ideological shifts, meaningful negotiation remains elusive.

Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle visited the campus of Norwich University and the Senator Patrick Leahy School of Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing on November 16, 2023. During their...

This reflection on Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy portrays him as a pragmatic statesman who embraced realpolitik—pursuing both robust military action (e.g., the Great White Fleet) and diplomatic work (e.g., negotiating peace). Despite his imperialistic inclinations, Roosevelt also championed agreements that maintained global balance.

A personal and scholarly exploration, the author draws on his experience as a sociologist researching terrorism to emphasize how religious convictions can be distorted into justifications for violence — including extremism within one’s own religious tradition—prompting reflection on faith, identity, and radicalization.

Reflecting on the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021, the author recounts the emotional impact of seeing a cause he supported unravel. This story underscores the enduring human and moral dimensions behind geopolitical events, beyond the headlines.