Blog
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Ukraine’s Future: Beyond the Binary of East and West
Ukraine, whose very name means “borderland” in Slavic, has long existed at the crossroads of empires. Today, as fighting continues in the east, Ukraine faces a crucial question about its future path. Perhaps the most promising possibility is neither Western…
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The Digital David: Estonia Leverages Digital Diplomacy Against Great Power Goliaths
In the shadow of the Tallinn Old Town’s medieval spires, a revolution quietly unfolds. Not one of street protests or military might, but of bits and bytes. Estonia, a nation of just 1.3 million people—roughly the population of New Hampshire—has…
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American Mercantilism: The Rise and Fall of Tariffs
On an otherwise insignificant February morning in 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, a piece of legislation meant to protect American industries. But instead of securing economic stability, those pen strokes accelerate the Great Depression. Within months,…
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The History and Evolution of Executive Orders: A Presidential Power in Perspective
In 1952, President Harry Truman’s attempt to seize America’s steel mills through Executive Order 10340 ignited a constitutional crisis that would reshape the boundaries of presidential authority. This watershed moment—and the Supreme Court’s subsequent rejection of Truman’s order—reveals both the…
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The TikTok Dilemma: Balancing National Security and Free Expression in America
TikTok has become much more than just another social media platform. With over 170 million American users—more than half the U.S. population—the app is a cultural and economic phenomenon. From helping small businesses reach wider audiences to giving aspiring creators…
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Syria’s New Crossroads
When news broke that ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had found asylum in Russia, the world barely blinked—it was a move straight out of the geopolitical playbook. Now, with Israeli and American troops pouring into Syria under the banner of…
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Spooky Prices and Costumed Ingredients: How West African Cocoa is Influencing American Candy This Halloween
As Halloween approaches, the annual ritual of stocking up on candy takes on a bitter twist. You may have noticed that the price of your favorite treats—Snickers, Reese’s, Butterfinger—seems a little scarier this year. While much of the conversation points…
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My October Surprise: Voter Apathy in 2024
“Are you registered to vote?” It’s a question I ask my friends, co-workers, and acquaintances every election season. Having once written extensively about the power of participating in democracy through voting, this question has always been a personal litmus test…
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American International Development: From Aid to Investment
When most people think of foreign aid, they might imagine cash handouts or humanitarian assistance. But over the decades, U.S. development strategies have evolved far beyond that. From rebuilding Europe after WWII to fostering modern-day partnerships that empower local entrepreneurs,…
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She Shoots, She Scores, We Watch
It was a Thursday night in Barclays Center, the iconic stadium in Brooklyn, New York, right off the Atlantic Avenue stop. The stands buzzed with excitement, courtside seats gleamed with celebrity presence, and the shot clock ticked down from 24…