Editorial Content — Carolina Political Review

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Amid Rwanda-Congo Dispute, M23’s Advance into the DRC Threatens Regional Stability

Amid Rwanda-Congo Dispute, M23’s Advance into the DRC Threatens Regional Stability

The renewed violence has brought in regional actors, and concerns have been raised about whether it could escalate into a larger conflict. Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda have all deployed troops to assist the Congo in fighting M23 and other rebel groups. A summit of East and South African leaders has called for a ceasefire, but any other pressure has stopped there. However, the larger international community has fallen short of putting other pressure on Rwanda despite overt human rights violations by the rebel group.

Columns, OpinionAddisen HeavnerFebruary 27, 2025Congo, DRC, Opinion, ColumnsComment

Texas’ Measles Outbreak: A Dangerous Symptom of America’s Anti-Vax Epidemic

Texas’ Measles Outbreak: A Dangerous Symptom of America’s Anti-Vax Epidemic

In 2000, the United States declared measles eradicated, but 25 years later, Gaines County, Texas, is grappling with a measles outbreak, with 124 confirmed cases and counting. The rise of misinformation, distrust in public health, and slipping vaccination rates, exacerbated by the anti-vaccination movement and social media, has led to this preventable crisis, putting vulnerable populations at risk. Public health officials are now fighting to contain the outbreak while emphasizing the importance of empathy, trust, and policy enforcement to combat vaccine hesitancy.

Columns, OpinionJessica HightFebruary 27, 2025Measles, Public Health, Texas, Opinion, ColumnsComment

Musk Misleads: Inside the DOGE’s latest attempt to harm social welfare programs.

Musk Misleads: Inside the DOGE’s latest attempt to harm social welfare programs.

In a misleading post on X, Elon Musk shared a chart showing 14 million individuals over the age of 120 with a “death field set to FALSE.” This may indicate they were not officially listed as deceased. However, data from 2024 shows only about 89,000 individuals over the age of 90 received benefits, a stark contrast to claims of “millions” thought to be taking advantage of the system.

Columns, OpinionDevi PatelFebruary 27, 2025Opinion, Columns, Trump, MuskComment

Fueling Defiance: OPEC’s Strategic Counter to U.S. Oil Sanctions

Fueling Defiance: OPEC’s Strategic Counter to U.S. Oil Sanctions

By forming a collective pact to resist U.S. economic pressure, OPEC challenges the dominance of unilateral sanctions and sets a precedent for similar multilateral resistance in other industries. The article analyzes the potential global economic impacts, particularly on oil prices, and examines how OPEC’s actions could influence U.S. consumers and developing nations. It concludes by addressing the broader geopolitical shifts that could arise from this collective resistance.

Columns, OpinionMridhula BharathwajFebruary 23, 2025Global, Oil, OPEC, Opinion, Column, ColumnsComment

The 28th Amendment? Explaining the Fight for the Equal Rights Amendment

The 28th Amendment? Explaining the Fight for the Equal Rights Amendment

In the last 72 hours of his term as president, Joe Biden declared that the Equal Rights Amendment was the “law of the land”... the ERA could be the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. How did we get here? What does this mean? Let’s demystify it.

Columns, OpinionAndrew AslaksonJanuary 28, 202528th Amendment, Equal Rights, Equality, ERA, Opinion, ColumnsComment

The Sunset of a Legend: Rafael Nadal’s Farewell and the Evolution of Greatness in Tennis

The Sunset of a Legend: Rafael Nadal’s Farewell and the Evolution of Greatness in Tennis

As the sun sets on Rafael Nadal’s tennis career, his impact on the sport and its fans remains indelible. He leaves not just as a champion but as a symbol of resilience and humanity, reminding us that even the greatest athletes are defined by more than just their triumphs. They are also characterized by the challenges they overcome and the character they display along the way. Not only will the loss of Nadal be a loss for his livelihood, but also the loss of the tennis world as a whole.

ColumnsEleanor GoldsteinDecember 10, 2024Opinion, Columns, Column, Nadal, SportsComment

The Climate Crisis Won't Wait for Politics

The Climate Crisis Won't Wait for Politics

With seven in ten Americans believing climate change is a serious problem, true solutions won’t come from waiting for the political winds to shift but acting now at every level possible. The destructive lessons of Helene and Milton make it clear: our choice isn't between acting and doing nothing but between proactive change and being forced into adaptation as the climate becomes increasingly hostile. With 2024 already shaping up to be the hottest year on record, this second-term vision of Trump's is an extreme contradiction in climate science. While the federal leadership falters, communities are leading the charge, businesses are leading the charge, and local governments are leading the charge.

Columns, OpinionNikhil UchilDecember 2, 2024The climate crisis, Climate, Climate Change, Opinion, Columns, ColumnComment

Donald Trump Wins North Carolina. Again?

Donald Trump Wins North Carolina. Again?

Democratic leaders find themselves wondering what happened not only in North Carolina but in the other six battleground states Trump swept this election cycle.

Columns, Opinion, Election 2024Elise ChangNovember 14, 2024Trump, Trump Victory, Donald Trump, Election 2024, National, Opinion, Column, Columns Comment

Breaking Down ‘X’s’ First Transparency Report: Implications for the Platform and Its Users

Breaking Down ‘X’s’ First Transparency Report: Implications for the Platform and Its Users

Elon Musk’s first transparency report for ‘X’ revealed the removal and suspensions of millions of posts and accounts. As the platform aims to balance transparency and free speech, the report raises questions about the future of X and its broader implications for social media platforms.

Opinion, Editor's Picks, Columnists, ColumnsAdriana ConcepcionNovember 3, 2024Opinion, X, Editor's Pick, Twitter, Musk, ColumnsComment

Mark Robinson: A Fascinating Case Study of the Failure of Cultural Conservatism

Mark Robinson: A Fascinating Case Study of the Failure of Cultural Conservatism

Mark Robsinson’s recent digital footprint has marred both his campaign and represents a larger failure of the Republican party to put forth a competent nominee for the position. But this scandal demonstrates a deeper fallacy in conservative ideology. By studying Mark Robinson, we can learn much more valuable insights about the GOP and the mechanisms of conservatism than Robinson’s character itself.

Opinion, Columns, Election 2024Nadège SirotOctober 29, 2024Mark Robinson, Liutenant Governor, Governor Race, NC Governor Race, Josh Stein, Opinion Piece, Columns Comments

Putin’s Nuclear Strategy Prevents Diplomatic end to Russo-Ukrainian War

Putin’s Nuclear Strategy Prevents Diplomatic end to Russo-Ukrainian War

In a meeting on September 25th, President Vladimir Putin warned NATO that if Russia or its allies are attacked by a nation supported by a nuclear power, Russia reserves the right to retaliate using nuclear weapons. What implications do Putin’s nuclear threats have on the future of the conflict? Will the threat of nuclear escalation prevent a peaceful end to the war?

Opinion, ColumnsLindsey TorresOctober 21, 2024Opinion, Ukraine, NATO, DonetskComment

The Law Isn’t ready for Open and Generative AI

The Law Isn’t ready for Open and Generative AI

As AI continues to become more apparent in both our own community, the law becomes more and more prevalent to understand what role individual communities and corporations as a whole choose to handle the AI boom.

Columns, OpinionEleanor GoldsteinJuly 14, 2024AI, artificial intelligence, UNC, Column, OpinionComment

Legalizing Online Sports Betting in N.C. Should Balance Economic Growth with Some Regulation

Legalizing Online Sports Betting in N.C. Should Balance Economic Growth with Some Regulation

North Carolina’s legalization of online sports betting includes great potential for personal revenue, economic activity, and increased viewers of sports media. However, as the state promotes online gambling, some people are concerned about its potential negative impacts on society.

Opinion, ColumnsEleanor GoldsteinApril 29, 2024Gambling, Sports Gambling, Sports Betting, House Bill 347, OpinionComment

Let Jamie Walk

Let Jamie Walk

“We all know that Jamie is not a risk. Jamie is a friend. She's a mentor. She's a fairy godmother. She’s a colleague. She's a study partner. She's a comrade. She's… She is everything, but she is not a threat,” one student said in a speech on the steps of the South Building.

Opinion, ColumnsCatherine WilesApril 22, 2024UNC, UNC-Law School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graduation, OpinionComment

Chapel Hill Should Stop and Think Before Renaming Streets

Chapel Hill Should Stop and Think Before Renaming Streets

Chapel Hill shouldn’t follow the route of Carrboro and run roughshod over the wishes of actual residents to appease vague arguments about what feels like a blow against racism. Instead, it should consider the actual facts of the matter and recognize the importance of resident consent in renaming streets.

Editor's Picks, Opinion, ColumnsBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordApril 8, 2024Local Politics, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Efforts, Carrboro, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, Editor's PickComment

Warnings of an Upcoming Retirement Crisis in the U.S.

Warnings of an Upcoming Retirement Crisis in the U.S.

A retirement crisis may have even more looming effects on the economy, especially because the labor force is widely affected by retirement. This has the potential to disorient the employment pattern for the United States.

Opinion, ColumnsEleanor GoldsteinApril 8, 2024retirement, Retirement, Bernie Sanders, Wealth DisparityComment

Addressing the Geopolitical Dynamics of the Israel-Hamas War

Addressing the Geopolitical Dynamics of the Israel-Hamas War

“If, however, with strong leadership and moral clarity, the United States, Israel, and its potential allies can establish an international coalition committed to the enfranchisement of Palestinians and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, then perhaps the status quo that has prevailed for decades may slowly begin to change.”

Opinion, ColumnsEvan TarrJanuary 30, 2024Israeli Invasion of Gaza, Israel-Hamas War, Opinion, Iran, International Development, Middle East PoliticsComment

The Israel-Hamas War: A Welcome Distraction for Putin

The Israel-Hamas War: A Welcome Distraction for Putin

Putin is quick to turn all the blame on the US and its policy concerning this region, not even acknowledging the atrocities committed by Hamas. His sole purpose was to tie the conflict to his greater war against the West. Putin is directly benefiting from the chaos abroad by diminishing the US image, having attention taken away from Ukraine, and US support being divided even further around the globe.

Opinion, Editor's Picks, ColumnsNina SlagerNovember 3, 2023Israel, Palestine, Putin, Russia, Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian War, Ukraine, Human Rights, International Conflict, International Relations, Editor's PickComment

Inside NC's Dysfunctional Relationship With Democracy

Inside NC's Dysfunctional Relationship With Democracy

It may seem like North Carolina is working harder than the devil to disenfranchise voters with one or multiple marginalized identities. Though when everything’s said and done, the efforts will backfire.

Opinion, Essays, ColumnsKrista Savage-WhiteOctober 29, 2023Opinion, Essays, Democracy, North Carolina, North Carolina Politics, Voter IDComment

“Hot Labor Summer:” 2023’s Organized Labor Surge and What it Means for the 99%

“Hot Labor Summer:” 2023’s Organized Labor Surge and What it Means for the 99%

“As a rising cost of living continues to place more and more pressure on the working class, unionizing and organized labor are a potent tool to gain necessary concessions for workers of all kinds. Workers across the country are taking advantage of collective bargaining to secure themselves against price hikes and even improve financial outlooks.”

Opinion, ColumnsCatherine WilesOctober 19, 2023Labor, Inequality, Strikes, Labor strikes, Opinion Piece, OpinionComment