Maxwell School News and Commentary
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
Romano Cited in The Atlantic Article on Bezos Wedding
Modern Venice is “an amusement park,” according to Professor Emeritus of History Dennis Romano, who recently wrote a book on the city. He predicts that the wedding and its attendant publicity will likely just drive more tourists to the city.
See related: Europe
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.”
Cohen Weighs In on US Tariffs on Secondhand Items in WIRED Article
Professor of History Andrew Wender Cohen says a reasonable approach would be to maintain tariffs on used items but at lower rates that would be commensurate with the risk posed to domestic manufacturing.
See related: Federal, International Affairs, Tariffs, United States
The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work
Written by Professor of Political Science Ryan Griffiths, the book examines polarization and division in the United States and explores the possibility of American secession.
See related: Government, Political Parties, United States
Denisa Jashari’s Article Honored with Sturgis Leavitt Award
The Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies presents the award at its annual meeting.
See related: Awards & Honors, Government, Latin America & the Caribbean, Religion