A Sphere of Fractured Influence: Why Putin Has Waged Unprovoked War in Ukraine and NATO’s Involvement in Aiding the Crisis
A Sphere of Fractured Influence: Why Putin Has Waged Unprovoked War in Ukraine and NATO’s Involvement in Aiding the Crisis

“Given the history of political and ideological conflict between Western nations and Russia, recent Ukrainian alignment with Western nations as well as NATO has been perceived as betrayal by Putin. With former Soviet nations like Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania already members of NATO, Putin faces a waning sphere of Russian influence in Eastern Europe. Putin’s manifestation of war in Ukraine reveals his fear of losing political influence, as demonstrated by his impetuous and desperate military endeavor to maintain political influence and power over Ukraine.”

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GlobalNia SmithUkraine, War, Putin, Russia, International Conflict, NATO, Europe, EUComment
Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia and the Fight for Healing in Corrections
Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia and the Fight for Healing in Corrections

“Psychology textbooks likely would not have predicted that Nneka Jones Tapia would be one of the first clinical psychologists in American history to run a jail, serve as Managing Director at one of the country’s premier social impact organizations, or even graduate from college. However, Dr. Jones Tapia has never been overly concerned with what others perceive as insuperable obstacles.”

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FellowsNoah GottliebFellows, Interview, Criminal Justice, Prison ReformComment
The World Has Moved to Sanction Russia. Will It Make a Difference?
The World Has Moved to Sanction Russia. Will It Make a Difference?

“Still, this conflict has only been going on for a relatively short period of time (12 days). No one knows how strong Russia’s resolve is in bearing the costs of these sanctions. No one can say whether these sanctions will help bring an end to this war. However, history has shown that sanctions cause real human suffering and have yet to win major concessions for the U.S.”

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GlobalTanner BaileyRussia, Sanctions, Ukraine, Economy, International RelationsComment
One Year After the Atlanta Spa Shooting, UNC’s Asian American Community Stands Strong with Solidarity
One Year After the Atlanta Spa Shooting, UNC’s Asian American Community Stands Strong with Solidarity

“The March 16 Atlanta Spa shooting sparked a nationwide reckoning over the societal insidious and pernicious “otherization” of Asian Americans, who have faced a 339% increase in hate crimes targetization due to COVID-19. Indeed, despite the “American” in the name, history treated this demographic group as perpetual foreigners in their home country. With an impending Yellow Peril and Red Scare spreading tendrils of fear across the United States, modern society must not support or amplify the dehumanization of the past. To address this imperative issue, I had the honor of interviewing Lynx Yuan of the Asian American Student Association and Dr. Amin from the Asian American Center.”

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Fellows, Editor's PicksMichelle LiuStop Asian Hate, Asian Americans, Campus Issues, Racial Equity, Editor's PickComment
The Debate on Campaign Compensation
The Debate on Campaign Compensation

”If you received a text, phone call, mailer, or a knock on your door during the 2020 campaign cycle, chances are you met an organizer. Campaigns, from local to national, are massive logistical undertakings. To do the heavy lifting, field organizers are hired to manage volunteer bases in order to maximize voter mobilization. But in many campaigns, young organizers who work seven days a week are underpaid, or not compensated at all.”

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FellowsDiane OngOrganizing, DNC, RNC, NCPOLComment
North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship
North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

“Janice Robinson, the North Carolina director for Red, Wine, and Blue, an Ohio-based organization that supports local moms and seeks to prevent book bans, believes that the concerns about explicit material are ‘just a smokescreen for the anti-CRT.’ What book bans are actually doing, claims Ms. Robinson, is allowing the "right wing" to push "their political agenda at the expense of our kids," as they are unable to use literature to encounter uncomfortable experiences of those outside their community, which would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.”

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Local, Editor's PicksJacob WrightNC Education, Censorship, Books, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment
Hidden Culture in the Himalayas: Kharnaks in the Changthang
Hidden Culture in the Himalayas: Kharnaks in the Changthang

“Extinction of the animals these groups care for will lead to their cultural extinction as well. The struggles that tribes in Changthang face are unfortunately echoed globally as climate change drastically impacts indigenous groups…The loss of practice does not seem as grave as the loss of history and legacy-a connection to the people who came before-the past and future gone. Without a connection to the traditions and knowledge of past generations, the longevity of tradition remains insecure.”

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Global, EssaysHannah GarnerCulture, Cultural Preservation, Nomads, EssaysComment
Remington Arms Manufacturer Settles with Sandy Hook Victims
Remington Arms Manufacturer Settles with Sandy Hook Victims

“While the political climate surrounding gun control legislation remains deeply divided, this settlement constitutes a historic utilization of existing law to hold gun manufacturers accountable. The families are hoping that this settlement will send a message to gun manufacturers’ banks and their insurers, illustrating that improper behavior is expensive; by placing pressure on banks and insurers the hope is that gun manufacturers will make their practices safer and correspondingly save lives.”

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NationalNicholas BerrySandy Hook, School Shootings, Gun Laws, Lawsuit, Criminal JusticeComment
The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War
The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War

“Traditionally, all levels of society, from political leaders to the general population, face some set of sacrifices or risks in fighting another country. Arms dealers have emerged as a noteworthy exception to this paradigm, though, as they only profit from violence or defense. They exist in a position removed from the government yet have the power and funds to push desired legislation. Whether one agrees with the predominance of the military-industrial complex or not, their growing influence will likely lead to increased militarism and armed defense both in the United States and the rest of the globe.”

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National, Editor's PicksJohn PowersMilitary, Economy, Cold War, Arms Race, Editor's PickComment
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates

“Many states with Republican governors have already ended the mask mandates and now some states with Democrat governors are following suit. There is evidence supporting claims that masks are not effective for young children and therefore there is no need for them. Additionally, there is evidence that shows that masks have harmed children in both educational and social development. Due to this impact, states are having to reevaluate the cost of wearing masks and if the benefits of masks outweigh the educational and social development of children.”

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LocalSeth MooreNC, NCP, NCPOL, Education, NC Education, Mask Mandates, COVID-19Comment
The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina
The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina

“As public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased attention on jail populations and the national racial reckoning after George Floyd’s death forced communities to reconsider the current criminal justice system, pretrial reform in North Carolina has become a prominent topic of interest.”

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Fellows, LocalNoah GottliebCriminal Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Jail, Pretrial Reform, NC Law, UNC Comment
Despite Campaign Promises, the Student Debt Crisis Has No End in Sight
Despite Campaign Promises, the Student Debt Crisis Has No End in Sight

“As midterms loom closer, President Biden is facing considerable pressure to relieve student debt, so Democrats can gain more political favor at the polls. Though the White House remains elusive on what the President will do to follow up on his campaign rhetoric, it is clear that the Biden Administration is coming up short on their promise to alleviate the Student Debt Crisis.”

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FellowsDiane OngStudent Debt, Education, College, university, Campus Issues, FellowsComment
With Primaries Looming, Republican Loyalty to Trump is Tested
With Primaries Looming, Republican Loyalty to Trump is Tested

“More than a year after Donald Trump’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack elicited the condemnation of the Republican establishment and prompted his ouster from mainstream social media, the twice-impeached former president’s endorsement is still the most valuable political capital a Republican candidate can earn.”

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NationalJonathan OsborneTrump, 2022, 2024, Republicans, Primaries, MidtermsComment
Centuries of Ahmaud Arberys: The History of Race-Induced Hate Crimes in America
Centuries of Ahmaud Arberys: The History of Race-Induced Hate Crimes in America

“Derek Johnson asserted that Ahmaud Arbery’s story “shook the conscience of our nation and world.” Shake the world it did, as audiences watched in horror at the vicious confiscation of Arbery’s life by vigilantes disguised as neighbors. Buried within the pages of history are thousands of other Ahmaud Arberys; nameless victims of malicious assaults on humanity. Their deaths may not be digitized and ingrained in our minds like Ahamud’s, but their memories should nonetheless impel an upheaval of bigoted culture in America and the reconstruction of one less rooted in malevolency.”

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Editor's Picks, Essays, NationalJustin GoldmanCriminal Justice, Race Relations, Race, white supremacy, Editor's PickComment
San Francisco’s Recall of 3 School Board Members Underscores Education as a Political Issue
San Francisco’s Recall of 3 School Board Members Underscores Education as a Political Issue

“Education will likely be a potent issue in the leadup to the midterm elections, but the recall in San Francisco was less concerned with alleged culture war items such as critical race theory. Instead, the election focused on government competence and fostering a better educational atmosphere for children.”

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NationalTanner BaileyEducation, California, San Francisco, MidtermsComment
Let’s Future-Proof Democracy
Let’s Future-Proof Democracy

“Presentism’s endemic presence in democracy is indeed a reflection of its inherent presence in human nature. For this reason, many will argue that it is impossible to overcome without sacrificing any form of self-governance, but this defeatist critique belies a lack of imagination and ignorance of presentism’s true threat given the civilizational challenges we face.”

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Essays, NationalCole MurphyDemocracy, Essays, Future, AI, Climate ChangeComment