Maxwell School News

"I think Putin emerges from this significantly weakened," says Brian Taylor, professor of political science. "I think if you're a member of the Russian elite or are in fact a member of the Russian population, you're going to look at this and think, 'Wow, a private army just drove on Moscow for most of the day. No one stopped them and they're allowed to leave and no real consequences.'"

Grant Reeher, professor of political science, tells Newsweek that a crowded primary field benefited Trump in 2016 when the higher number of candidates allowed Trump to win the primary with only about 45 percent of the vote.

"People are looking for that kind of connection, and if they can find it with a group that they don't know online, they don't necessarily see the bad parts of what's happening," says Shana Gadarian, professor and chair of political science. "Then with the technological part of it where extreme voices get more airtime on the internet, you can see how people get radicalized."

The visibility of losing their flagship for an entire fleet inevitably attracted attention, says retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. It proved that any and all Russian vessels approaching Ukraine's littoral waters were under threat, he adds.

Discussing the AR-15's appeal on the right, Grant Reeher, professor of political science, tells Newsweek: "In large part, I think it's because this particular rifle has become such a public target for Democrats and liberals regarding gun regulation and control. ...The rifle has become a symbol of the debate over gun control, and the political right is more associated with gun ownership and rights."

"There are three primary effects [of climate change on flying]: a reduction in payload capacity for some flights because of rising temperatures, an increase in clear air turbulence on some flight routes, and changes in fuel consumption on some routes due to changes in upper level wind speeds," says Ethan Coffel, assistant professor of geography and the environment.

"Most of the old guard have sought to remain in places like Mali, or in Africa, away from the Ukraine fight, because the guys I talked to before the invasion were not supportive of the invasion," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

"There's an ongoing public split between Wagner and the Russian military, and both sides are looking for symbolic wins," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

"Those who think international law can curb mercenarism are unrealistic. Even if we had solid laws (which we do not), who will go into Ukraine and arrest all those mercenaries? Not the UN or NATO. The market for force resists arrest, which is why mercenaries are the second oldest profession. Now they are back, and we must re-learn strategies to fight this unique form of warfare," writes Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says that at the strategic level, the biggest setback for Putin is "the huge casualties that the Russians have taken." 

"If the U.S. had not worked with our allies and provided substantial military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, we would be facing a wide range of strategic threats in Europe and elsewhere," Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, tells Newsweek.

Brian Taylor, professor of political science, tells Newsweek that Zelensky's visit is "well-timed" and intends to signal that U.S. support remains strong, despite the Republican Party soon taking control of the House.

Voters often respond to major news events and how those events are framed in the media, however, the news around abortion and immigration were very different events, Elizabeth Cohen, professor of political science, tells Newsweek.

Polls often reflect an issue people glean as important if it receives mass media coverage, Shana Gadarian, professor of political science, tells Newsweek.

"He doesn't have many good options at this point, especially with the current posture, especially in eastern and southern Ukraine," says retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

"Stunts like busing and chartering flights to remove immigrants from states like Florida and Texas are not planned...for the purpose of relocating immigrants in places where they can get their bearings and begin their new lives. The purpose is to generate dehumanizing headlines and discussions," says Cohen, professor of political science.

"I think it's an act of desperation," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in the Maxwell-in-Washington program, of Putin's announcement.

Professor Brian Taylor was quoted in the Newsweek article, "Putin Finds Scapegoat in U.S. HIMARS, Builds Case for War With West."

Professor Brian Taylor was quoted in the Newsweek article, "Who Leads Russia If Putin Dies? Health Rumors Spark Succession Questions."

Professor Brian Taylor was quoted in the Newsweek article, "Russian War in Ukraine Gives Putin Reason to Interfere in Midterms: Experts."