During the last week of October, much of the talk was about the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Now seen as a growing force that seeks to challenge Western economic and political dominance, many wondered what the newly expanded conference, which took place between Oct. 22-24, would pull out of the hat in this much-anticipated meeting.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—“Wherever I work, I always have my grandfather's Bracero papers with me,” said Cristóbal Alex. Alex comes from a proud line of Mexican agricultural workers. Today, Alex carries that spirit forward by cultivating the seeds of Latino political power.
As with all communities heading into the presidential election, the American Jewish community is divided on which candidate will win its support. Beyond the platforms of each candidate, there is a deeper question fundamental to Jewish identity: Which candidate will have greater support for Israel?
s millions of Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, it would be easy to mistake this year’s presidential election for a two-candidate race. The constant stream of polls, pundits on cable news and social media activity seemingly purports that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are the only two candidates in the race.
“Humanity must never again inflict nor suffer the sacrifice and torture we have experienced.” These impassioned words were spoken in 1956 by Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization awarded with 2024’s Nobel Peace Prize.
The EU has officially decided to increase tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to as much as 45.3% after a controversial investigation that split Europe and prompted Chinese retaliation.
onald Trump claimed his role as an American savior as he returned to the site of his assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, this time with Elon Musk by his side.
On Oct. 5, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in Washington, D.C. gathered around the White House on the International Day of Palestinian Solidarity. Washington was one of the many cities worldwide where protesters marched demanding an end to Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed over 42,000 Palestinians according to the United Nations.
The Republican Party faces a significant challenge in terms of its lack of diversity. According to polls conducted by Pew Research Center, the Republican voter base is about 85% white, 7% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% Black.
As the Supreme Court suffers from widespread disapproval in the aftermath of controversial decisions, such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the proscription of race-conscious college admission programs, the refusal of various justices to recuse themselves from cases in which their impartiality is questionable has only added to the Court’s crisis of legitimacy.
Student Columns
Read student analyses on pressing themes in politics today
From TikTok jokes to real-life convictions, “Alpha Male” podcasts have recently come to dominate the pop culture scene. Beginning with the rise of Andrew Tate, there has been a surge of hyper-masculine, often hyper-conservative men with microphones. Their podcasts, filled with dangerous, toxic masculinity, are not simply the spewing of angered men but also reflect the conservatism of the new generation.
— Taylor Moses
After decades of remaining in the shadow of their male counterparts, women’s college basketball in the 2023-2024 season took the media by storm. At the middle of the storm of press, TikToks, and fan pages were major names such Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. There came a wave of racial politics alongside progress–specifically in the Final Four game.
— Taylor Moses
From the Super Bowl to sold-out concerts, Taylor Swift has dominated stadiums across the country and world. After years in the spotlight, though, it is inarguable that Swift’s celebrity status has reached an all-time high. However, with this newfound virality has come a red wave of far-right conspiracy theories regarding her and the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
— Taylor Moses
The United Nations has recognized the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan amidst its ongoing civil war as the “world’s largest hunger crisis” and the “worst displacement crisis in the world.” Escalating political violence in Sudan over the past year has resulted in increased levels of food insecurity and communicable disease, and there are few functional health facilities left standing
— Sara Medina
Heightened gang violence, unstable governance, and natural disasters have intensified the health crisis in Haiti, exacerbating inequalities in health care access amidst an ongoing cholera outbreak. Cost-effective, intersectoral interventions to improve health care services as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene must be prioritized in Haiti to avert the threat of an even greater public health crisis.
— Sara Medina
— Sara Medina
Israeli strikes on hospitals in the Gaza Strip have exacerbated the instability of the Gazan health system amidst civilian casualties and increasing rates of infectious disease and malnutrition, underscoring the direct impact of the ongoing war on civilian health and Israel’s violation of international humanitarian law.
— Sara Medina
We experienced the 2023 off-year election cycle. The cycle included gubernatorial and state legislative elections, as well as mayoral races and a variety of other local offices. The results represent major victories for particular interest groups and can provide crucial insight into next year’s national elections.
— Calla O’Neil
The chaos in Congress as Republicans scrambled to find a replacement for House speaker Kevin McCarthy may bleed into the 2024 Congressional election cycle, as recent polls show its impact on voters.
— Calla O’Neil
With proposed and passed anti-LGBTQ legislation rapidly increasing, the 2024 election season marks a pivotal opportunity to boost diversity in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
— Calla O’Neil
Partisan gerrymandering across the country is quickly shifting the political landscape for 2024, with the current House of Representatives nearly evenly divided. However, partisan gerrymandering that survives court battles will leave a lasting legacy beyond that already enshrined by the 2022 election.
— Aamir Jamil
This article (part I) covers the court battles that will shape 2024. Ongoing litigation in Wisconsin and New York could add Democratic seats in the House of Representatives while cases in North Carolina and Ohio are expected to strengthen Republicans.
— Aamir Jamil
The Supreme Court ruled this year that Alabama’s congressional map diluted the political power of African Americans earlier this year in Allen v. Milligan, averting a disastrous gutting of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that would kill its last enforcement mechanisms. Southern states, which were forced to cede voting rights and political power to African Americans after the act’s implementation, still struggle to follow the law. After Milligan, a cascade of court cases are popping up throughout the South with important ramifications for 2024 House elections and African American voting power.
— Aamir Jamil
When Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva defeated right-wing populist incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, his victory was touted by many as a “return to normality” for Latin America’s most populous nation. But on a policy level, Lula’s government has proved uninterested in simply maintaining the status quo, instead embracing wholesale economic reforms and investments to fundamentally transform Brazil’s economy.
— Jiyon Chatterjee
African governments are turning to innovative solutions to create future opportunities for their young workers. Specifically, Kenya has embraced the idea of establishing “smart cities” as development panaceas: modernized urban centers that harness technology to foster economic efficiency, sustainability, and growth. However, these cities are encountering political obstacles.
— Jiyon Chatterjee
In a world of high-stakes international conferences, the recent G20 summit hosted in New Delhi on September 9th may seem siloed from the daily concerns of ordinary people. But beneath the diplomatic veneer, the summit symbolized a pivotal shift in global economics with profound implications for workers across borders, driven by the unlikely partnership of President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
— Jiyon Chatterjee
As President Biden’s approval rating continues to plummet, the 2024 Republican presidential primary continues to develop, with Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis emerging as the main opposition to former President Donald Trump. Biden’s unpopularity not only presents a prominent opportunity for these candidates but also raises some challenges.
— Patrick Emerson
In a GOP primary field dominated by former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faces a challenging path to secure the GOP nomination. Yet, DeSantis remains resolute, emphasizing that a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided and strategically positioning himself to sway these “on the fence” voters.
— Patrick Emerson
News of Harvard’s student-released letter focusing on the October 7 Hamas attacks has quickly circulated around the country. The anonymous publication has been heavily criticized by those inside and outside the school alike. While freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, Harvard could have done more to denounce the letter.
— Brian Kaye
It’s been over two months since the controversial removal of affirmative action, effectively shattering the objective of promoting diversity and inclusivity on college campuses around the country. Nevertheless, the elimination of affirmative action sets the stage for new systems encouraging diversity in student bodies to blossom — systems possibly even more effective in promoting a healthy and diverse campus community than affirmative action ever was.
— Brian Kaye
