Maxwell School News and Commentary
Filtered by: Conflict
Taylor Speaks With Forbes and WABC About the Death of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny
"We don’t know every detail about the circumstances of his death today, but it is 100 percent fair to say that Alexei Navalny was killed by Vladimir Putin and the Russian state," says Brian Taylor, professor of political science and director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
See related: Conflict, Elections, Government, Russia, Ukraine
Murrett Quoted in Daily Express, The Hill and Newsweek Articles on the War in Ukraine
Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says the war has entered a new phase and predicts an “operational tactical reset” but no major battlefield movements. “I don’t expect to see any dramatic shifts in the activity by the Ukrainian army,” he says, “but the leadership remains strong. I think we’ll see evidence of that very clearly in the months ahead.”
See related: Conflict, Defense & Security, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine
Murrett Discusses Tensions in the Middle East With Defense One, The Hill, Newsweek and VOA News
“Difficult choices will be required in the days and weeks ahead as military operations continue a policy of strong deterrence without seeking widespread escalation that could harm our interests and those of our allies,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
Sultana Discusses the Feedback Loops Between War and Fossil Fuels in Atmos Article
“The control of oil and gas resources has been a key factor in many conflicts and geopolitical imperialism, either by providing part of the motivation for an invasion or by helping countries fund their militaries,” says Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment. “Conflict, in turn, feeds production by driving up oil and gas prices,” she adds.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa, Natural Resources
Murrett Quoted in Military Times Article on What the Navy Is Learning From Its Fight in the Red Sea
“This is a mix we haven’t seen before, and it does represent a new wrinkle,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, of the types of munitions the Navy is intercepting and the sustained nature of the threat.
Murrett Talks to GlobalSecurity.org About the Ongoing Attacks by the Houthi Fighters
"The ongoing attacks by the Houthi fighters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, increased activity by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and the steady attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Syria and Iraq represent a clear risk of escalation throughout the region," says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
Khalil Comments on Secretary of State Blinken’s Latest Middle East Trip in Al Jazeera Article
With little indication that the U.S. will attempt to assert leverage over Israel, Blinken’s latest trip to the Middle East is fundamentally “performative,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. “There is a face-saving domestic consumption element for [the Biden administration] and a separate face-saving element to allow Israel to claim some kind of victory,” he says.
See related: Conflict, Federal, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa, United States
Murrett Discusses the Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea in NY Times and Telegraph Articles
Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, warns that the attacks in the Red Sea could easily drag on for the whole of 2024. “In the mind of the Houthi, this is all connected to what’s happening in Gaza,” says Murrett. “And the operations in Gaza could last for the rest of this calendar year.”
See related: Conflict, Defense & Security, Government, Middle East & North Africa, Terrorism & Extremism
Banks Piece on Drones Making Wars Deadlier Published in The Globe and Mail
"Drones have been a feature of war for several decades, but today’s conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine war show how the technology is changing modern combat. Ever more powerful drones have become cheaper and easier to fabricate and deploy," writes William Banks, professor emeritus of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Conflict, Defense & Security, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Terrorism & Extremism, Ukraine
Murrett Quoted in Newsweek Article on Putin's Latest Black Sea Ploy
"Ukrainian forces have continued to mount attacks on Russian ships and port facilities in waters adjacent to Ukraine, in Crimea and beyond," says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. Several damaging attacks on Russian Black Sea fleet bases in recent months have "provided strong incentive to Moscow to seek a safer harbor in the Abkhazia region," he says.
See related: Conflict, Defense & Security, Russia, Ukraine