Maxwell School News and Commentary
A Conversation With Professor Carol Faulkner About the Declaration of Independence
In anticipation of America’s Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, Carol Faulkner, senior associate dean and professor of history professor, shares her insights on the historical themes of the document, our evolving understanding of that period of U.S. history and what she is looking forward to in this anniversary year of commemorations.
See related: Government, United States
Lovely Talks to China Daily About Tariffs and Consumer Spending
“The…taxes are economically significant…and regressive in the sense that they take a larger share of income from poorer households than richer households,” says Mary Lovely, professor emerita of economics.
See related: China, International Affairs, Tariffs, Trade, United States
Walahfrid Strabo, Vita Otmari—The Life of Otmar
The chapter, co-authored by Professor of History Albrecht Diem, was published in “The Many Worlds of Otmar: St. Gall and European Monasticism from the 7th to the 9th Century.”
Otmar on Trial
The chapter, written by Professor of History Albrecht Diem, was published in “The Many Worlds of Otmar: St. Gall and European Monasticism from the 7th to the 9th Century.”
Maxwell Student Jorge Morales ’26 Named a 2025 Beinecke Scholar
Morales, a double major in history and anthropology, is one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this prestigious award, which supports exceptional undergraduates in their pursuit of graduate studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
See related: Academic Scholarships, Student Experience
Retiring University Professor, Decorated Public Servant Sean O’Keefe Reflects on Legacy of Service
O’Keefe says his time as a Maxwell graduate student taught him the importance of employing a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, examining the wide range of possible outcomes and identifying what success looks like.
See related: Alumni Experience, School History
Reeher Quoted in Associated Press, Newsweek Articles on Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Mayoral Primary Win
“If I’m a Republican, I want this guy to win,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. “Because I want to be able to compare and contrast my campaign as a Republican, in a national election, to the idea of, ‘This is where the Democratic party is.’”
See related: New York City, Political Parties, State & Local, U.S. Elections
Williams Speaks With New York Times, Newsweek About the NATO Summit
“The Europeans were saying how committed they are to Ukraine, especially the British, which is no surprise. But there was also really an attempt to keep controversial issues off the table. Ukraine wasn’t the front and center discussion it has been,” Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, says of the summit.
See related: Global Governance, Government, NATO, Ukraine, United States
Haq Article on US Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites Published on MSNBC
“The president is wagering that sending in the U.S. Air Force will once and for all end Iran’s nuclear threat,” says Nayyera Haq, assistant dean for Maxwell's Washington programs.
Khalil Discusses the Israel-Iran Conflict and US Airstrikes With KTVU and LocalSYR
The situation is escalating in ways we have not seen before, says Professor of History Osamah Khalil. With Israeli airstrikes, rising tensions in Gaza, and now a strong U.S. military response, the risks are higher than ever. He warns Iran may try to disrupt global oil supply chains, which could have a domino effect. “If that’s the case, we could very rapidly see the global economy collapse.”