• 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • Rethinking the Electoral College

    As the 2024 election approaches, Americans are once again inundated with predictions about how battleground states could decide the outcome. Political analysts map out potential paths to victory: If one candidate secures Pennsylvania and Arizona, Georgia may not be necessary;…

  • Is Irredentism the Natural State of Geopolitics?

    It is beyond annoying that when a conflict erupts, everyone seems to become an expert, whether it’s the Russia-Ukraine war that began in February 2022 or the Israel-Palestine attacks of October 2023.  The truth is even seasoned experts and post-doc…

  • The Accidental Irish Diplomat: How the Pub Became Ireland’s Strongest Public Diplomacy Bastion

    If you have ever consumed a pint of Guinness, you might have noticed yourself feeling relaxed and even a bit loquacious. Maybe it’s the ABV (alcohol by volume), the velvety texture from the perfect pour, or the warm pub environment…