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Filtered by: Middle East & North Africa

A Global Scale of Economic Left–Right Party Positions:

Nicolás de la Cerda, Ryan Bakker, Seth Jolly, Jonathan Polk, Ruth Dassonneville, Jelle Koedam, Patrick Leslie, Jill Sheppard, Roi Zur

The article, co-authored by Professor and Chair of Political Science Seth Jolly, was published in the Journal of Politics.

August 13, 2026

Koch Featured in Al Jazeera Documentary on the Controversy Surrounding FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

“In fact, that statistic was completely wrong. It was not like those deaths were not excess deaths. They were just South Asians who happened to die in Qatar from this time period,” says Natalie Koch, professor of geography and the environment, about the report in The Guardian that stated more than 6,500 guest workers died since the cup was awarded to the country.

August 5, 2026

Murrett Speaks with Newsweek about President’s Talk of Massive Attack on Iran

Robert Murrett told Newsweek that President’s talk of "massive attack" on Iran likely means "a dramatically escalated air campaign." Murrett added, "I don't see any evidence of large deployments of ground forces, or indicators that any kind of significant ground activity would take place." 

July 28, 2026

Khalil Talks With News4JAX About the Escalating Tensions in US-Iran War

“There's real danger here of an escalating conflict that could spill over into the broader Persian Gulf region with profound consequences, not just for the regional stability, but for the global economy. So there's no military solution here. What needs to happen is a good faith, negotiated settlement,” says Osamah Khalil, chair of the International Relations Undergraduate Program.

July 23, 2026

Murrett Discusses ‘New Phase’ in the US-Iran War With CBS News and Newsweek

“I think we're in a tit-for-tat right now, which it actually represents a new phase of the conflict between the United States and Iran. Certainly, we're on our fifth consecutive day of strikes, which seem to be getting more aggressive on both sides,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

July 16, 2026

Khalil Explains a Potential Peace Deal Between the US and Iran on News4JAX

“I think this idea that the Iranians are going to turn uranium over is really posturing. They're not going to turn the uranium over. What they may be willing to do is actually downgrade the uranium to a certain level under UN or international auspices and the United States is going to have to agree to that,” says Osamah Khalil, chair of the International Relations Undergraduate Program. 

June 12, 2026

Murrett Discusses the Latest in the US-Iran War With CBS News and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, argues that both Washington and Tehran appear intent on avoiding actions that would jeopardize the possibility of a negotiated settlement. He says military pressure and diplomacy are proceeding simultaneously, with neither side wanting to undertake steps so severe that they would rule out an eventual diplomatic outcome. 

June 11, 2026

Murrett Talks to CBS News about the Latest Negotiations to End U.S. War with Iran

"There's going to be some people that are unhappy with any deal that's struck, no matter what the final arrangements look like, " says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, on negotiations to end the war with Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.
May 26, 2026

Khalil Speaks With News4JAX About the War in Iran

“There is room for negotiation on the nuclear program. But one of the things Iran is looking for is the following: they want the United States to agree, or at least to recognize, its right—Iran's right—too enrich uranium under the nuclear non-proliferation agreement that Iran signed and other countries have signed,” says Osamah Khalil, chair of the International Relations Undergraduate Program. 

May 20, 2026

Murrett Discusses Strait of Hormuz, Project Freedom Pause With CBS News, Newsweek, RadioFreeEurope

“Iran does have significant leverage due to geography and capability. At the same time, it is very much in Iran’s interest to keep the strait open, given how much of its economy depends on exports moving through it. Our military posture is important in creating leverage for a diplomatic solution that would allow free and open navigation,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

May 7, 2026

Reeher Discusses What Comes Next After Trump Signs Bill Ending DHS Shutdown With LiveNOW from FOX

“I think where it's going to go from here is back to where it started, and that is you're going to see a lot of debate and conflict over what is going on on the ground with the immigration enforcement efforts,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.

May 4, 2026

Murrett Speaks With CBS News, The Hill About the Strait of Hormuz Naval Blockade

“I think the next couple of days would be crucial to see what the [Iranian] response is,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. “It’s going to be a pretty dicey operation, I think it can be carried out, but the next couple of days are critical in terms of how it’s carried forward,” he says.

April 15, 2026

Khalil Quoted in Clarín Article on the Middle East Ceasefire

Osamah Khalil, professor of history, predicts that “if an agreement is reached based on the Iranian proposal, especially the lifting of sanctions and guarantees against future attacks, Tehran will emerge from this war battered but victorious, just the opposite of what Trump and Netanyahu claimed would happen.”
April 13, 2026

McDowell Discusses the Petrodollar Era and Currency Debasement With DW News, Financial Times

“There is an instrumental reason to start warning people about currency debasement, even if you don’t deep down think it’s real, if you profit from this,” says Daniel McDowell, Maxwell Advisory Board Professor of International Affairs.

April 8, 2026

Koch Talks to Washington Post About Saudi Arabia’s Record Donation to the Smithsonian National Zoo

“An easy way to show that you are waving the Saudi flag in an appropriate way and in a way that supports the country and its investments and its interests is by doing that in D.C. in particular,” says Natalie Koch, professor of geography and the environment.

April 3, 2026

Huber Weighs In on Iran War Fuel Disruptions in Wall Street Journal Article

“It is going to be a pretty long-term problem, even if they reopen the Strait of Hormuz today,” says Matthew Huber, professor of geography and the environment.

March 24, 2026

Reeher Quoted in The Hill Article on the Trump, Losing Control of Iran War

“I do think it’s a particular moment of danger [for Trump]. Up to now, there has been this drip-drip-drip erosion in the president’s support. This one, to me, has more of a potential to open up a floodgate,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.

March 23, 2026

McDowell Speaks With Newsweek About the Economic Impact of the War in Iran

Daniel McDowell, Maxwell Advisory Board Professor of International Affairs, says he is concerned the conflict could “result in renewed attacks from the White House on the independence of the Federal Reserve. As oil prices rise and put upward pressure on prices, this makes it less likely that the Fed will cut rates, something President Trump has been demanding for his entire second presidency.”

March 19, 2026

Khalil Discusses the War in Iran and Trump’s Legacy With the National News Desk, Spectrum News

“Having been attacked twice in less than a year by the United States and Israel, including the assassinations of a significant number of political, military and religious leaders, Iran is determined to reestablish deterrence,” says Osamah Khali, professor of history.

March 18, 2026

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