Maxwell School News and Faculty Media, Opinion and Analysis

Murrett Talks to Newsweek About the Legacy of the Sinking of Russia's Black Sea Flagship, the Moskva

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.

April 27, 2023

McFate Comments on China’s Military Capabilities in South China Morning Post Article

Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, says China is far from being able to take the island. “China’s military is not ready to take Taiwan, which is why Xi Jinping ordered the military to be ready to take Taiwan by 2027, if told to do so,” he says.

April 25, 2023

See related: China, Conflict, East Asia, International Affairs

Murrett Discusses China’s Taiwan-Targeted Military Drills in Politico Article

That show of force was as much for “domestic consumption inside China” as it was for Taiwan, says retired Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. And the scale and intensity of the drills “were calibrated very, very carefully,” to minimize threat perceptions, he says.

April 21, 2023

McDowell Weighs in on Brazil-China Relationship in Washington Post Article

“When China and Brazil sign an agreement like this, it’s trying to put into place the infrastructure that would make it possible to use China’s currency, but that doesn’t mean that individual firms are going to choose that,” says Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science.

April 20, 2023

Maxwell Senior Francis Tang Honored by Overseas Press Club Foundation

The political science and international relations major hopes to bring ‘meaningful news to readers across the world.’

April 18, 2023

Gueorguiev Comments on China's Longest US Ambassador Vacancy in South China Morning Post

"China wants to get a sense, are you really serious about figuring out some way of turning down the heat or not," says Dimitar Gueorguiev, associate professor of political science. "And they have reason to be suspicious on where we're going with the electoral cycle in the U.S. and how risky it is."

April 15, 2023

See related: China, Foreign Policy, Government, United States

McDowell Talks to CSIS and Hidden Forces About His New Book, ‘Bucking the Buck’

Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science, discussed the implications of sanctions for the dollar's status, the relationship between dollar dominance and U.S. sanction capabilities, and the response of U.S. major rivals to these measures.

April 6, 2023

Maxwell-in-Washington Graduate Student Mario Marquez Joins in Call to Repeal War Authority in Iraq

The Iraq War veteran is director of national security for The American Legion and is pursing an executive master’s in international relations degree.

March 31, 2023

Taylor Quoted in Vox Article on Russian Paramilitary Network the Wagner Group

“Wagner was a very useful stopgap in that period between when [Russia] had so many of their regular forces attrited and Putin came around to the realization that he had no choice but to bring in hundreds of thousands of more people. That may, in some sense, prove to be that Wagner is at its sort of height of influence,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science.

March 27, 2023

See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine

McFate Speaks With Newsweek About the Exodus of Wagner Group Soldiers

"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.

March 24, 2023