International Relations Undergraduate Program News

“At several different levels, this is just a pure pipe dream,” Osamah Khalil, professor of history, says of handing Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Khalil says the Biden administration is facing mounting pressure over its support for Israel, due to the atrocities it is accused of committing in Gaza.

"These are the youngsters on campus who are protesting against the war," says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. "And then some of them start to look at Israel's role in the Middle East and say, are we seeing kind of the same dynamic here about U.S. foreign policy?"

"The reality is a ceasefire is needed now and that's not something the United States is willing to agree to. The most the United States is willing to do is a humanitarian pause, but that's not nearly sufficient. And on this, the United States and Israel are an outlier in the international community," Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells BBC News.

“Biden’s strong support for Israel has contributed to the heightened anger and frustration in the region. As we have seen in the protests of the last 24 hours, that anger is palpable and will only grow as long as the United States continues to block a ceasefire or even a humanitarian pause at the U.N.,” Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells El País.

"There really is no winner here, and a military solution is not possible. What needs to happen is for a high-level diplomatic effort by the Biden Administration, using regional partners and allies, to de-escalate the conflict," Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells CNY Central.

“Israel had no intention of agreeing to the emergence of a viable, contiguous, and independent Palestinian state,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. “Israel was able to pursue its occupation and settlement policies with the political cover of endless negotiations,” he says.

Six faculty members were granted tenure and promoted to associate professor and three were promoted to professor.

"Illicitly proliferated Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, or All-purpose Tactical Guided Missiles (ATGMs), continue to pose risks to international skies," writes Maxwell student Megan Edenfeld. "With the safety of commercial and military aircraft at stake, securing airspace is a priority for the U.S. government and partner and Allied governments worldwide."

Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 was one of four alumni honored at the Washington, D.C., event emceed by CNN anchor Boris Sanchez '09.

The award recognizes excellence in teaching and contributions to the IR program during the 2022-2023 academic year.

“The Remembrance Scholars represent the future while honoring the past, which is both a great privilege and a great responsibility,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Gretchen Ritter. “This year’s students, who have demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to service, are up to the task. As with those who were tragically lost nearly 35 years ago, we are proud that these students are members of our University community.”

Maxwell students Nish Chowdhury and Camran Shealy, and alumna Sarah Dolbier '22 are among those named 2023 recipients of awards through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The program funds a range of awards that include English teaching assistantships (ETA) and study/research grants in over 140 countries.

Isabella Brown and Madelin DeJesus Martinez, both policy studies majors, will attend the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) junior summer institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Alexandria Johnson, an international relations major, will participate in the summer enrichment program through the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program. Erykah Pasha, a political science and sociology major, will participate in the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Michigan.

Eleven Maxwell School students have been awarded grants from the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) and the Renée Crown University Honors Program. The awards provide up to $7,500 in support for original undergraduate research projects.

The students received a Distinguished Delegates award while representing the Russian Federation.

Fabiola Lara ’13 B.A. (IR) and Sabith Khan ’11 M.P.A./ M.A. (IR) launched a business, Tlali Pani, that offers handmade goods from the community they visited in Oaxaca, Mexico. Both say their education and experiences at the Maxwell School have been foundational in the business endeavor.

Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history, tells USA Today the meeting between the leaders could have an impact on the United States' efforts to garner more support for Ukraine.

The scholarship, funded by the Obama Foundation, provides $25,000 a year for two years toward education expenses, $10,000 for research/service travel between junior and senior year (Summer Voyage), $20,000 in travel funding for the next 10 years, and leadership training.