Maxwell School News and Commentary
Filtered by: Defense & Security
Murrett Talks to Newsweek About US’s Balancing Act in Preventing Conflict Escalation in Middle East
"It's a tough balancing act," says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. "The big issue is responding to attacks that are being done by Iranian surrogates in a measured way that has a deterrent effect but does not cause the tension that exists in the area in the conflict to expand to the next level."
McFate Weighs In on the Future of Gaza in Daily Mail Article
"Post-conflict Gaza is more theory than fact. It is unknown how much Israel feels compelled to rebuild Gaza (after defeating Hamas). In the Israel-Hezbollah war of 2006, the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] destroyed much of Lebanon's infrastructure in the south and did not rebuild it," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa, Terrorism & Extremism
Khalil Quoted in NPR Article on Young Progressive Democrats Leaving the Party Over Israel
"These are the youngsters on campus who are protesting against the war," says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. "And then some of them start to look at Israel's role in the Middle East and say, are we seeing kind of the same dynamic here about U.S. foreign policy?"
Khalil talks to BBC News, KNX News and PolitiFact About the War in Gaza and Israel
"The reality is a ceasefire is needed now and that's not something the United States is willing to agree to. The most the United States is willing to do is a humanitarian pause, but that's not nearly sufficient. And on this, the United States and Israel are an outlier in the international community," Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells BBC News.
Murrett Speaks With Newsday About the Foreign Policy Crises Facing Biden
Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says the next diplomatic challenge for the Biden administration is “reducing tensions” in the Middle East and working with other international allies to determine what a “post-conflict era” looks like in Israel.
Khalil Speaks With Al Jazeera, El País, Vox, WTVH About the Israel-Hamas War
“Biden’s strong support for Israel has contributed to the heightened anger and frustration in the region. As we have seen in the protests of the last 24 hours, that anger is palpable and will only grow as long as the United States continues to block a ceasefire or even a humanitarian pause at the U.N.,” Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells El País.
Reeher Discusses Biden’s Response to the Israel-Hamas War in Newsweek Article
"[The response has] been very clear, very resolute, it's been unequivocal, and it's not making some of the folks in the Democratic electorate or caucus happy," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. "The question is where it goes from here in concrete assistance, and if Israel gets engaged in some activities and we in a sense help them, it could complicate things."
Gadarian Speaks With NBC News About Speculation of Additional Attacks in US Like Those in Israel
It’s human nature to seek out information about additional threats in the days after an attack like the ones in Israel, so that people can avoid risk and reduce their anxiety, says Shana Gadarian, professor and chair of political science . But many of the social media posts circulating this week aren’t helpful, she says, because they don’t include a specific solution.
Murrett Talks to KCBS Radio, The Mirror and Scripps News About the Israel-Hamas Conflict
As the conflict grows and rumors of involvement from groups like Hezbollah and from countries like Iraq, Iran and Egypt circulate, the question becomes "how far the conflict could escalate, both in terms of additional operations in Gaza but also the potential for it spilling over into other parts," says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa, Terrorism & Extremism
Khalil Discusses the Israel-Hamas Conflict With Clarín, CNY Central, Spectrum News and WSYR
"There really is no winner here, and a military solution is not possible. What needs to happen is for a high-level diplomatic effort by the Biden Administration, using regional partners and allies, to de-escalate the conflict," Osamah Khalil, professor of history, tells CNY Central.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa, Terrorism & Extremism