International Relations News

Maxwell professor reflects on US policy in Middle East post-9/11

As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, SU News reached out to professor and Middle East expert Osamah Khalil to answer this fundamental question: How effective was America’s post-9/11 strategy in the Middle East? Read Khalil's full response via the SU News website.

Maxwell School Announces New Chairs, Faculty

The Maxwell School welcomes several new faculty members and announces the appointment of four department chairs.

David Barbier Jr. ’23 BA (IR) named 2021 Jeff Ubben Posse Fellow

David Barbier Jr. ’23 BA (IR) was looking to explore more of his professional interest in television, radio and film and stretch himself in a challenging role. He found what he was searching for after applying and being named a 2021 Jeff Ubben Posse Fellow. The award includes a $10,000 stipend and a summer internship, working closely with an industry leader. "Posse scholars get the opportunity to apply for the Jeff Ubben Fellowship their sophomore year of college in the hopes of shadowing an industry leader within their field," says Barbier, who is also a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program. "I was blessed with the opportunity to shadow CEO of AMC Networks Josh Sapan."

Students help build food system rooted in social justice, equity

The next big step for the newly formed Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA) started, naturally, with Evan Weissman’s kindness and vision for food justice in the Syracuse community. Jonnell Robinson, Weissman’s close friend and an associate professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was selected by the Lender Center to replace Weissman as the 2020-22 Lender Center Faculty Fellow (Weissman died unexpectedly in April 2020). “This is what Evan had laid out and was really interested to see happen,” Robinson says. “His major vision was that we didn’t just develop a food policy council, but that we developed a food policy council that was rooted in social justice and equality.”

Maxwell students awarded Downey Scholarships from SU ICCAE

Four Maxwell students were among the 13 undergraduate, graduate and law students awarded Downey Scholarships by the Syracuse University Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (SU ICCAE). The $1,500 award recognizes academic excellence, commitment to public service and potential to bring diverse and distinctive backgrounds and experiences to the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).

2021 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2021 recipient of the Wanetik Award is Morgan Markowitz '22.

O'Keefe talks to CNN about Boom Supersonic aircraft

Boom Supersonic is one of several start-ups working on reviving supersonic air travel. Its long-term ambition is to get anywhere in the world in four hours at a price point of just $100. "It's an audacious goal!" says University Professor Sean O'Keefe. While it's feasible, O'Keefe reckons "it's going to require two or three generations of technology, development and breakthrough—which equates to about 20 years." Read more in the CNN article, "Boom Supersonic: 'Anywhere in the world in four hours for $100'."

Maxwell faculty, staff and students honored with 2021 One University awards

Syracuse University announced its 2021 One University Awards, honoring members of the University community for their scholarship, teaching, academic achievement, leadership and service. The ceremony was held virtually this year due to COVID-19 precautions.

Maxwell students chosen to be 2021-22 Remembrance Scholars

Eight Maxwell School students were among those named 2021-22 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships, now in their 32nd year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Those students, who were returning from a semester of study in London and Florence, were among the 270 people who perished in the bombing. The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni, friends, parents and corporations.

Six Maxwell students receive prestigious Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. Traditionally, some 550 students spend eight to 10 weeks abroad studying one of 15 languages—Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish or Urdu. The program is fully funded and includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.

New study by Cleary examines regime dynamics in fragile democracies

"When Does Backsliding Lead to Breakdown? Uncertainty and Opposition Strategies in Democracies at Risk," co-authored by Matthew Cleary, was published in Perspectives on Politics. The authors develop an agency-based perspective to enhance the understanding of aggrandizement and to explain when it results in democratic breakdown. Relying on comparative case studies of five countries—Bolivia, Ecuador, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela—their analysis suggests that the contingent decisions of opposition actors during the process of aggrandizement have a significant effect on regime outcomes.

D'Amico quoted in CSM article on the 2020 UN General Assembly

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres noted in his address opening the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday that the world is at "another 1945 moment," referring to the hinge year that saw both the end of World War II and the founding of the U.N. "The U.S. chose multilateralism in 1945, and we were able to remake the world in our image, and in ways that served our interests," says Francine D’Amico, teaching professor of international relations. "But now Trump’s theme seems not to be America as leader or partner, but more of an America-focused individualism," she says. Read more in the Christian Science Monitor article "At UN assembly quieted by a pandemic, the US-China clash is loud."

Cleary study on rights of indigenous women in Mexico published in LAPS

"Subordinated Autonomy and the Political Inclusion of Women in Indigenous Mexico," written by Matthew Cleary, was published in Latin American Politics and Society. The study argues that the act of formalizing autonomy for indigenous communities, in the context of Mexico’s homogenizing neoliberal state, had the unanticipated effect of exposing exclusionary practices to state scrutiny, which eventually forced those communities to recognize women’s political rights.

Maxwell faculty and students honored with 2020 One University awards

Syracuse University announced its 2020 One University Awards, honoring members of the University community for their scholarship, teaching, academic achievement, leadership and service. The annual ceremony was scheduled to take place on April 17 in Hendricks Chapel, but was canceled due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Senior Kara Foley wins top undergraduate research prize

Kara Foley, a senior majoring in international relations and policy studies, won the Maxwell School’s annual Ben and Marcia Baldanza Prize for top undergraduate research paper, as part of the School’s annual efforts to recognize exemplary undergraduate research. Xinzhi Lin, a senior history and international relations major, was awarded an honorable mention for his research paper. Francine D’Amico received the Ben and Marcia Baldanza Faculty Advisor of the Year Award.

Maxwell students selected as 2020-21 Remembrance Scholars

Ten Maxwell students were among the 35 students selected to be the 2020-21 Remembrance Scholars by Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee. The scholarships, now in their 31st year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Maxwell students receive Fulbright teaching and research grants

Three Maxwell students will make impacts around the globe as 2020-21 recipients of awards through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Five Maxwell students were also chosen as alternates. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program funds a number of different awards that include English teaching assistantships (ETA) and study/research grants in over 140 countries.

2020-2021 Fulbright Recipient

Gwen Burke '20 receives Fulbright award.

2020 Senior Award Winners

Recipients of the 2020 International Relations senior awards.

2020 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2020 recipient of the Wanetik Award is Karola Casteñada-García, Dec '20.

Schwartz, Rothbart study ties free school lunch to higher test scores

"Let Them Eat Lunch: The Impact of Universal Free Meals on Student Performance," co-authored by Amy Ellen Schwartz and Michah Rothbart, was published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. Schwartz and Rothbart show that extending free lunch to all students, regardless of income, increases academic performance.

Maxwell Professor Emeritus G. Matthew Bonham remembered

G. Matthew Bonham, professor emeritus of political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, died on Aug. 14. Bonham taught at Syracuse University for 25 years and was instrumental to the creation and development of the International Relations Program as a separate interdisciplinary endeavor.

Maxwell partners with APSIA to host PISA Network training

On August 14, 2019, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs partnered with APSIA to host a Public and International Student Advisor (PISA) Workshop for 28 advisors from upstate New York. With financial support from the Robertson Foundation for Government, the Maxwell School is one of three schools selected nationwide to host a PISA Network training.

IR student Cynthia Wang receives Critical Language Scholarship

Cynthia Wang ’19 BA (IR) has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship and will study Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.

2019 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2019 recipient of the Wanetik Award is John Jankovic '20.

Maxwell students named 2019-20 Remembrance Scholars

Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee has chosen the 35 students who will be the 2019-20 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Model UN team named Outstanding Delegation at spring 2019 conference

The Syracuse University-College of Arts and Sciences-Maxwell School Model United Nations Team was named an “Outstanding Delegation” for its portrayal of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the National Model United Nations conference held April 13-19 in New York City. Eighteen students majoring in International Relations participated as delegates in this academic conference.

Four Maxwell students named 2019 Syracuse University Scholars

Dina Eldawy (International Relations/Citizenship and Civic Engagement), Crystal Letona (Policy Studies), Danielle Schaf (Anthropology), and Nathan Shearn (Anthropology) were among the twelve seniors named as the 2019 Syracuse University Scholars, the highest undergraduate honor that the University bestows.

Steinberg discusses US-China tech disputes in Nikkei Asian Review

"... there is an emerging dimension to the U.S.-China conflict which has worrisome echoes of that earlier [U.S.-Russia] conflict — the growing division of the world into two technological blocs, each of which seeks autonomy and self-sufficiency and strives to limit the other's access to its advanced know-how," says James Steinberg. His article, "US versus China -- a technology Cold War?," was published in Nikkei Asian Review.

IR student-refugee starts interpreter business for other CNY refugees

Khadijo Abdulkadir, and undergraduate international relations student, was the subject of the Syracuse.com story "‘A star’ refugee starts business to speak for other Syracuse refugees, in 20 languages." Abdulkadir, a Somali refugee, says her business "will offer services to refugees that we did not have when we came here. It will be by refugees, for refugees."

Model UN team named distinguished delegation at conference in DC

The Syracuse University-Maxwell School Model United Nations team was named a “Distinguished Delegation” for its portrayal of the the Arab Republic of Egypt at the National Model United Nations conference held November 9-11, 2018, in Washington, DC. Thirteen students majoring in international relations participated as delegates in the academic conference.

IR/CCE student Dina Eldawy named second Marshall Scholar in SU history

Dina Eldawy, an international relations and CCE student, has been named a 2019 recipient of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. She is the second Marshall Scholar in Syracuse University history. Funded by the British government, the Marshall Scholarship finances outstanding American students to study in the United Kingdom.

D'Amico receives 2018 James Duah-Agyeman Award for Faculty

In recognition of her "service, dedication, and commitment," Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was awarded the 2018 James Duah-Agyeman Award for Faculty from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Syracuse University.

Yaqi Kang '18 BA (Econ/IR) takes community seriously in the snow city

While at Syracuse University, Yaqi Kang '18 BA (Econ/IR) embraced her role as an active representative of the Chinese student community. She worked as a mentor at the Slutzker Center for International Services and was a representative on the Internationalization Council. “Every student is a part of the community, and we all have the responsibility to make our community better,” says Kang.

Rubinstein publishes paper on community violence in Syracuse

"Blood in the Rust Belt: Mourning and Memorialization in the Context of Community Violence," co-authored by Robert Rubinstein, was published in Current Anthropology. The paper is the latest product of the university-community collaboration in Syracuse addressing gun violence, its effects, and interventions to reduce the trauma it causes, and to reduce its incidence.

D'Amico elected to National Model UN Board of Directors

Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of National Model United Nations (NMUN). D'Amico previously served as a member of the NY Advisory Group of NMUN and is currently a member of the DC Advisory Group until her term ends in November.

Alexis Dorner '18 BA (IR/PSc) publishes article on Nuclear Ban Treaty

"The Nuclear Ban Treaty: Advocates, Neutrals, and Opponents in the European Union," written by Alexis Dorner '18 BA (IR/PSc), was published in the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Politics, Economics and World Affairs. Dorner explains what has caused member countries of the European Union to fail to reach a consensus on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

2018 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2018 recipient of the Wanetik Award is Erin Hamilton '19.

2013 Wanetik Memorial Scholarship

The recipient of the 2013 Wanetik Award is Dylan Ross Lustig, Class of 2014.

2015 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2015 recipient of the Wanetik Award is junior Adriana Curto’16.

2016 Wanetik Memorial Scholarship

The 2016 recipient of the Wanetik Award is junior Francis Morency ’17.

2017 Wanetik Scholarship Winner

The 2017 recipient of the Wanetik Award is junior Taylor Dunne ’18.

2014 Wanetik Memorial Scholarship

The 2014 recipient of the Wanetik Award is junior Jesse Montes ’15.

Stuart Thorson speaks to WAER about summit with North Korea

Stuart Thorson, professor emeritus of political science and international relations, was interviewed on WAER for the segment "Retired SU Int'l Relations Expert is Optimistic About Positive Outcome of Summit with N. Korea." According to Thorson, "if Trump can do something to be truthfully and robustly reassuring to the North Koreans, I think over time, good things can happen."

Maxwell students selected for 2018-19 Fulbright awards

Luke Chadwick, a senior majoring in economics and international relations, and Sara Schleicher, a senior majoring in political science, were selected to participate in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program. Chizobam Nwagwu, a senior majoring in policy studies, was selected to receive a Fulbright research grant.

Maxwell students selected as 2018-19 Remembrance Scholars

Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee has chosen the 35 students who will be the 2018-19 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Geography student Jade Rhoads earns prestigious Pickering Fellowship

Jade Rhoads, a senior majoring in geography and minoring in global security studies, has been named a 2018 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellow. She is one of only 30 recipients chosen from hundreds of applicants from more than 200 colleges and universities around the nation.

Meredith Professor Perreault, teaching awardee D'Amico honored

Tom Perreault, professor of geography, was named a 2018-21 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, and Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was given the Meredith Teaching Recognition Award at a ceremony on Friday, April 20, at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Maxwell students Eldawy, Letona receive prestigious Truman Scholarship

Dina Eldawy, an international relations and citizenship and civic engagement major, and Crystal Letona, a policy studies major, have been named as 2018 recipients of the prestigious Truman Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded to 59 exceptional college juniors in recognition of their community service, academic accomplishment, and commitment to a career of public service.

Model UN team named distinguished delegation at NYC conference

A Syracuse University/Maxwell team participating in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in March was named a “Distinguished Delegation” for its portrayal of Poland. The conference, held in New York City, drew more than 5,000 students, more than half from outside the United States.

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