Student Opinions — On the Record

The Mexican Supreme Court’s Decriminalization of Abortion and its Impact on Women in Latin America

Advocates for women’s rights throughout the world felt the victory and progress being made when the Mexican Supreme Court recently federally decriminalized abortion.

— Anna Wice

Supreme Court, Civil liberties, WorldSuzie AhnSeptember 27, 2023Anna Wice, Abortion

No Deal: Why Ukraine Should Not be Pressured to Make Peace with Russia

As enticing as the idea of two warring states pursuing peace may seem, peace simply for peace’s sake is not necessarily a virtue. One must understand what is at stake and consider whether diplomacy will in fact maximize international security and prosperity in the long-term. Considering the historical and geopolitical context surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, exerting pressure on President Zelensky to accept Putin’s demands would be a grave mistake.

— Zach Fontiadis

WorldDhruv ShahMarch 27, 2023AY 2022-2023, Zach Fotiadis

A Renaissance in US Semiconductor Manufacturing

Speaking in the Lohrfink Auditorium at an event sponsored by Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo praised the “incredible opportunity we have as a nation to unleash the next generation of American innovation, protect our national security, and preserve our global economic competitiveness.” She was, of course, speaking of the recent, under-the-radar passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, along with new Biden administration trade rules.

— Asher Maxwell

Defense, Democratic Party, Economy, Foreign Policy, WorldDhruv ShahMarch 18, 2023AY 2022-2023, Asher Maxwell

44 Days of Liz Truss

Liz Truss resigned on the morning of October 20. In her mere 44 days as Prime Minister (the shortest of any Prime Minister in British history), Truss managed to crash the British economy, create yet another political crisis for Britain, and then promptly resign.

— Andrew Wong

Democracy, Economy, Global, United Kingdom, WorldAdrian Ali-CaccamoOctober 25, 2022AY 2022-2023, Andrew Wong

The Imaginary Threat of NATO Expansion: Debunking a Common Excuse for Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered what will likely be regarded as among the most notorious speeches in modern history. His very first grievance in the address was perhaps the most critical, as he parroted a line long professed by ardent Russian foreign policy apologists: preventing NATO expansion.

— Zach Fotiadis

The End of the World (Economy): Consequences of the Russia/Ukraine Conflict

Tying countries together economically intended to construct a system for automatic and discretionary consequences for aggressive action. However, through the decades of relative international peace we have yet to see a successful, full-scale test of this ideology. Russia’s war on Ukraine highlights the failures of economically bonded world peace.

— Elizabeth Johnson

Economy, Foreign Policy, Spotlight: Russia/Ukraine, WorldRitika ManatharaApril 8, 2022AY 2021-2022

Kenya’s UN Speech: An Insightful Critique of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Invoking the legacy of colonialism, the Kenyan delegation excoriated President Putin for his exploitation of ethnic tensions and irredentist visions to justify his bombardment of a sovereign power.

— Zach Fotiadis

Spotlight: Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy, WorldLindsey GradowskiFebruary 28, 2022Zach Fotiadis, AY 2021-2022

Awarding Maria Ressa the Nobel Peace Prize came at the right time

In a political climate that has facilitated the rise of authoritarianism and amplified public mistrust of the media, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa comes at a critical moment.

— Ethan Johanson

Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotDecember 6, 2021Ethan Johanson

Lebanon: The unfolding of a tragedy

U.S. humanitarian aid to Lebanon is a step in the right direction to helping the nation get back on it’s feet , but Lebanon’s recovery from economic crisis, Beirut blast, and COVID-19 will be slow.

— Rajaa Bint Talal

Foreign Policy, Around the World, WorldCarly KabotNovember 3, 2021Rajaa Bint Talal

544 Days: An inside look at U.S. foreign relations through one reporter’s time in an Iranian prison

What happens when a civilian reporter’s life gets wrapped up in bilateral nuclear power negotiations? To what extent does valuing an individual’s survival compare with the impending threat of violent conflict? For Jason Rezaian, these questions were not hypotheticals to be debated among international relations scholars or on the nightly news. Rather, the answers to them were the only bridge between a life trapped inside an eight-by-four foot cell and freedom.

— Mia Young

Around the World, WorldLindsey GradowskiOctober 22, 2021

U.S. intervention in Latin America: when is it time to stop?

Nicaragua and Colombia went before the International Court of Justice in September 2021 as the first step towards resolving alleged violations of Nicaraguan sovereignty in the Caribbean.

— Riley Swain

Around the World, Foreign Policy, Global, WorldSrishti KhemkaSeptember 29, 2021Riley Swain, AY 2021-2022

America is abandoning Africa on vaccines

As Africa lags on vaccine access, the United States is ignoring its moral imperative to collaborate with African governments and support equitable vaccine distributions on the continent.

— Eric Bazail-Eimil

Around the World, Foreign Policy, COVID-19, Joe Biden, Africa, WorldEric Bazail-EimilSeptember 25, 2021Eric Bazail Eimil

Around the world in 30 days: The faces of US policies

This month, OTR will be spotlighting articles that do a deep dive into how U.S. policies impact people across the globe. This spotlight is an opportunity to take policy analysis a step further and compel us to consider how our actions, both our advocacy and silence, impact communities beyond our borders.

— Carly Kabot

Around the World, Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotSeptember 22, 2021Carly Kabot

Can we balance Africa’s electricity needs with global decarbonization?

After 260 NGOs urged banks not to finance a $3.5 billion oil pipeline in East Africa, the Biden administration must consider alternatives to offer Uganda, Tanzania and other nations to generate electric power and stimulate their economies.

— Zega Ras-Work

Energy, Environment, Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotApril 28, 2021Zega Ras-Work

The U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Yemen: A short history and future

President Joe Biden’s promise to halt all relevant arms sales to Saudi Arabia and appoint a senior diplomat to Yemen should only be the start of a long and arduous road towards peace.

— Himaja Reddy

Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotFebruary 23, 2021Himaja Reddy

We cannot ignore the Philippines’ suffering

Devastating typhoons in the Philippines emphasize the need for President elect-Biden to take decisive action against climate change. Though long overdue, now is the time for the U.S. to acknowledge its role in natural disasters across the globe.

— Ethan Johanson

Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotNovember 27, 2020Ethan Johanson, AY 2020-2021

Taking the ball, going home alone

Trump is hastening a national walk off the international stage, leaving the country with no better alternative.

— Austin May

Foreign Policy, WorldCarly KabotSeptember 19, 2020Austin May, AY 2020-2021

Letter from London: U.K. Elections Reveal a Distinct Political Culture

During my year abroad in London, British politics has taken a series of unexpected twists and turns surrounding the issue of Brexit. Yesterday, the United Kingdom chose its future.

—Anusha Agarwal

United Kingdom, Election, WorldJeff CirilloDecember 13, 2019Anusha Agarwal, AY 2019-2020