Skip to content

Maxwell School News and Commentary

Filtered by: Defense & Security

McFate Discusses Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Plan to Modernize the US Army on Fox News Live

“We have a lot of legacy systems that really were designed for the Soviet Union still in our arsenal and I think the Army is finally trying to peel them away,” says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

May 16, 2025

Taylor Speaks With WWL Radio About US-Russia Relations

“There have been a variety of efforts since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 to try and remake the U.S.-Russia relationship...Obviously a lot has happened since then and it hasn't worked out that way and from my point of view, the thing that has broken the relationship most of all has been the Russian war against Ukraine which began in 2014,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science.

May 14, 2025

Wagner Weighs In on Leadership Departures in Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Office in Politico Article

“The uniformed military—from junior enlisted to four star generals—see right through these clowns, from their backstabbing and their inexperience to their cavalier treatment of highly classified information and their bungling policy rollouts,” says Alex Wagner, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

May 3, 2025

Taylor Discusses President Trump, Causes of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine With Forbes, USA Today

“Trump’s contention that Ukraine’s hope of joining NATO ‘caused the war to start’ is a claim that is often made, but one that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science. “Given that there was no serious prospect of Ukraine joining NATO between 2008 and 2022, it’s hard to see how Ukraine’s hope of joining NATO at some point in the future caused the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.”

April 28, 2025

Williams Talks to Washington Post About Improper Sharing of Sensitive Government Documents

The breach indicates a general need to strengthen safety training measures for government workers who must live and work in a digital age, says Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs. “The danger of this kind of mistake is a challenge across all administrations,” he says.

April 25, 2025

Khalil Speaks With CBS News About US Strikes on Yemen, Nuclear Talks Between the US and Iran

“Now the Trump administration is claiming this is an attempt to pressure Iran but it's unclear to me, quite frankly, by bombing a port, killing paramedics and port workers, is somehow going to pressure Iran in negotiations,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. “If the United States wants to neotiate with Iran, it should negotiate with Iran. There's no reason to be bombing Yemen to do that.”

April 24, 2025

Arctic Training with Canadian Troops Complements International Studies

Graduate student Connor McNeil took part in the three-week exercise as a member of the Vermont Army National Guard. 

April 16, 2025

Williams Article on Europe, Multilateral Nuclear Plans Published in Foreign Policy

“For 75 years, America’s NATO allies have relied on the U.S. nuclear arsenal to provide for the defense of Europe. This was never a terribly logical policy. The linchpin of the policy was a firm European belief in the steadfast commitment of Washington to the security of Europe. Today, that no longer holds,” says Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs.

April 10, 2025

O’Keefe Weighs In on Trump Team’s Use of Signal to Discuss Yemen Attack in Washington Examiner Piece

“In my experience from the standpoint of having served as an appointee in the Pentagon and as secretary of the Navy, using such an unsecured channel to coordinate plans is unheard of and would never have occurred in previous administrations,” says University Professor Sean O'Keefe.

April 4, 2025

Jok Discusses South Sudan’s Fragile Peace Agreement and Its President in Geeska, Reuters Articles

“Africa’s newest state has remained trapped in a cycle of civil unrest and perpetual peace agreements that have not translated into real peace for its citizens. As it stands, all indications are that the fragile peace is in danger, as President Salva Kiir has ordered the house arrest of his rival, Vice President Riek Machar,” says Jok Madut Jok, professor of anthropology.

April 2, 2025

Explore by:

Communications and Media Relations Office
200 Eggers Hall