Taylor Weighs In on the Presidential Summit Between Russa and the US in Los Angeles Times Article
“This will be the first U.S.-Russia summit brought about by sheer ignorance and incompetence: The U.S. president and his chosen envoy mistook a Russian demand for a concession,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science and director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
See related: Conflict, Federal, Foreign Policy, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine, United States
The Last Door: A History of Torture in Mexico's War against Subversives
Gladys McCormick, associate dean and professor of history, has written a new book, The Last Door: A History of Torture in Mexico's War against Subversives (University of California Press, 2025). The book explores how the Mexican government increasingly used torture to suppress dissent as guerrilla movements spread across Mexico in the 1970s.
See related: Crime & Violence, Federal, International Affairs, Latin America & the Caribbean
Farhana Sultana Organizes DC Event Commemorating Bangladesh’s July Revolution
A diverse audience gathered in the U.S. Capitol for a series of remarks and panel discussions on the future of Bangladesh and its people.
See related: Conflict, Government, International Affairs, South Asia
Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century
Ryan Griffiths, professor of political science, has co-written a new book, Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century (Columbia University Press, 2025). The book, written with Charles R. Butcher, challenges the Eurocentric view of the world by offering a comparative analysis of non-Western state systems in the 19th century, supported by an original dataset.
See related: Government, Political Parties, United States
Taylor Weighs In on Trump’s Approach to Aiding Ukraine in Newsweek Article
“The good news for Ukraine is that...Trump has finally figured out that Putin is the main obstacle to peace,” says Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
See related: Federal, International Affairs, U.S. Foreign Policy, Ukraine, United States
Sultana Article on Democracy in Bangladesh, Anniversary of July Revolution Published on Counterpoint
“One year after the July Revolution, the memory of brave young lives lost continues to light the path toward a just, democratic, and united Bangladesh,” says Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment.
See related: Conflict, Government, International Affairs, South Asia
Robert Rubinstein Honored With 2025 Wasserstrom Prize for Graduate Teaching
The award recognizes a faculty member who has an important impact on students and a special interest in the graduate seminar.
See related: Awards & Honors
Four Maxwell Professors Named O’Hanley Faculty Scholars
Brian Brege, Sarah Hamersma, Yüksel Sezgin and Ying Shi will hold the title for three years.
See related: Awards & Honors, Giving, Promotions & Appointments
Taylor Talks to AP About CIA Report Criticizing Investigation of Russia’s Support for Trump in 2016
“This report doesn’t change any of the underlying evidence—in fact it doesn’t even address any of that evidence,” says Brian Taylor, director the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs. Taylor suggests the report may have been intended to reinforce Trump’s claims that investigations into his ties to Russia are part of a Democratic hoax.
See related: Federal, International Affairs, Political Parties, Russia, U.S. Elections, United States
It's Not the Economy: The Effect of Framing Arguments on Attitudes Toward Refugees
The article, co-authored by Lamis Abdelaaty, associate professor of political science, was published in International Migration Review.
See related: Economic Policy, Human Rights, International Affairs, Law, Political Parties, Refugees, United States
Huber Weighs In on NY Gov. Hochul’s Plans to Build a Nuclear Power Plant in Spectrum News Article
“It's no secret that nuclear has been known for being very costly,” says Matt Huber, professor of geography and the environment. But he believes that if a project is to move forward, a public one like what New York State is proposing is the way to go.
See related: Energy, New York State, State & Local
Maxwell Professors Named Inaugural Meredith Professor Faculty Fellows
Mark Brockway, assistant teaching professor of political science, and Zach Huitink, associate teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, will work in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and the associate provost for academic programs to address teaching topics identified by the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.
See related: Promotions & Appointments
The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work
Written by Professor of Political Science Ryan Griffiths, the book examines polarization and division in the United States and explores the possibility of American secession.
See related: Government, Political Parties, United States
Taylor Speaks With Forbes About Quinnipiac Poll Ratings on Trump’s Handling of Russia-Ukraine War
“Among the issues Quinnipiac asked about—immigration, trade, the economy, Israel-Gaza and universities—Trump’s numbers are the worst on Russia-Ukraine, and they also are the worst among Republicans,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science.
See related: Federal, International Affairs, Russia, U.S. National Security, Ukraine
Thompson Quoted in Associated Press, NPR Articles on Pope Leo’s US Citizenship
Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science, says she doubts Leo will renounce his U.S. citizenship. “I think he wants to stress that he is the pope of the universal Catholic Church,” Thompson says, “and not an American holding that position.”
See related: Europe, Government, International Affairs, Latin America & the Caribbean, Law, Religion, United States
Buzard Discusses Her Research on Parental Involvement With The Atlantic
Research by Kristy Buzard, associate professor of economics, confirms the idea that people tend to assume mothers are the default parent, even when they explicitly ask not to be. Part of the reason, Buzard posits, is “this underlying belief that moms are more available and are going to be more responsive.”
See related: Child & Elder Care, Gender and Sex, United States
Taylor Speaks With CBS News, El País, KTVU and Kyiv Post About Trump, Ukraine and Russia
“Putin isn’t interested in a ceasefire or an agreement, but rather in victory, understood as the subjugation of Ukraine,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science. “The Russian president has faced zero consequences for stalling Trump over the past four months, and from what Trump has said about the conversation, that hasn’t changed one bit.”
See related: Conflict, Europe, Federal, Foreign Policy, Global Governance, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine, United States
Sultana Article on Building Democracy in Bangladesh Published in LA Progressive
“In a region where democratic backsliding has often been normalized, Bangladesh is attempting a rare and ambitious path forward. But reforms – no matter how visionary – face real resistance from entrenched interests and are fraught with obstacles, both internal and external, that threaten to derail Bangladesh’s progress,” writes Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment.
See related: Conflict, Government, International Affairs, South Asia
Bhan Talks to Morning Wave in Bhusan and the WOZ About Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan
“I don't think either the Indian or Pakistani governments actually want a war,” says Mona Bhan, Ford-Maxwell Professor of South Asian Studies. “But neither of them wants to appear weak under any circumstances.”
See related: Conflict, Government, India, International Affairs, South Asia
Thompson Quoted in USA Today Articles on Pope Leo XIV’s Social Media Accounts, His First Mass
“Social media can be a minefield for divisive commentary, so I imagine he’ll use it sparingly, perhaps for simple, pastoral messages (and yes, delivered on the official pope account) like holiday greetings, but not for anything controversial,” says Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science.
See related: Europe, Media & Journalism, Religion