COVID-19 and Policy: Looking Backward and Looking Forward

Workshop Materials
Thompson Quoted in Newsweek, New York Times Articles on Pope Francis
“We see that with Pope Francis when he talked about the environment and taking care of the planet. That's had a pretty profound influence, although he didn't tell people who to vote for or particular agenda items that nations ought to adopt,” says Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science.
Taylor Discusses President Trump, Causes of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine With Forbes, USA Today
“Trump’s contention that Ukraine’s hope of joining NATO ‘caused the war to start’ is a claim that is often made, but one that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science. “Given that there was no serious prospect of Ukraine joining NATO between 2008 and 2022, it’s hard to see how Ukraine’s hope of joining NATO at some point in the future caused the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.”
Williams Talks to Washington Post About Improper Sharing of Sensitive Government Documents
The breach indicates a general need to strengthen safety training measures for government workers who must live and work in a digital age, says Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs. “The danger of this kind of mistake is a challenge across all administrations,” he says.
University Announces 2025-26 Remembrance Scholars
The scholarships, now in their 36th year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the students studying in London and Florence through Syracuse University who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Khalil Speaks With CBS News About US Strikes on Yemen, Nuclear Talks Between the US and Iran
“Now the Trump administration is claiming this is an attempt to pressure Iran but it's unclear to me, quite frankly, by bombing a port, killing paramedics and port workers, is somehow going to pressure Iran in negotiations,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. “If the United States wants to neotiate with Iran, it should negotiate with Iran. There's no reason to be bombing Yemen to do that.”
Syracuse University to Host 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
Beginning in mid-June, the Maxwell School at Syracuse University will host 25 of Africa’s emerging public management leaders for a six-week Leadership Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Gueorguiev and McFate Quoted in Radio Free Europe Article on China’s Control of Rare Earth Minerals
“What oil was to the 20th century, rare earth minerals are to the 21st,” says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs. “Microchips, green technology, and quantum computing all require rare earths, and China has the bulk of them. It's a national security imperative that goes beyond the stock market.”
Religiosity of Grandchildren and Their Grandparents as a Basis for Norms of Eldercare Responsibility
“Religiosity of Grandchildren and Their Grandparents as a Basis for Norms of Eldercare Responsibility in Emerging Adults,” co-authored by Professor and Chair of Sociology Merril Silverstein, was published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
Resettled Refugee Parent/ Young Adult Perspectives on Mental Health After the Onset of the Pandemic
“Resettled Refugee Parent and Young Adult Perspectives on Mental Health After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” co-authored by Distinguished Professor of Anthropology Robert Rubinstein, was published in Discover Mental Health.
Addressing the Triple Trauma of Factors Leading to Perinatal Health and Mental Health Consequences
“Addressing the Triple Trauma of Factors Leading to Perinatal Health and Mental Health Consequences in Two Upstate New York Communities,” co-authored by Maxwell anthropologists Robert Rubinstein and Sandra Lane, along with Ph.D. student Kiara Van Brackle, was published in Behavioral Sciences.