In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson Institute faculty and researchers to help make sense of current world affairs and public policy issues. On this page, you will find articles that cite research done at Watson, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson Institute faculty and researchers to help make sense of current world affairs and public policy issues. On this page, you will find articles that cite research done at Watson, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
Stephen Kinzer writes for The Boston Globe, "This suffocating political climate, in which even cheering for Miss Universe is seen as subversive, is made worse by the apparent bleakness of Nicaragua’s future."
Omer Bartov writes for The Guardian, "Despite the terrifying violence and destructive intransigence on both sides, the objective must be a peace settlement."
Stephanie Savell comments for USA Today, "we still have this counterterrorism apparatus trudging onward. It makes U.S. forces vulnerable to attack and increases the likelihood of the U.S. engaging in a much bigger offensive war."
Stephanie Savell writes for Newsweek, "Today, in the current geopolitical context of the Middle East, the U.S. counterterrorism machinery is like a spark, ready to ignite."
Mark Blyth writes for Good Authority, "If Trump and the Republicans win, it may be the end of the green transition in the U.S."
Jonathan Collins writes for Kappan, "With the right design, we can empower superintendents with the political legitimacy needed to withstand the political storms."
Jonathan Collins comments for the Colorado Sun, “Unions are structured in ways where they’re known for having a very strong grounding."
In an interview on Bloomberg's The Tape podcast, Wendy Schiller discusses the Biden administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.
John Friedman comments for BBC News, "If we want children from all backgrounds to feel like they have a shot at a trajectory to get to those leadership positions, we need these universities to be admitting students in a way that supports broader equality of opportunity."
Dany Bahar writes for The Forward, "This temporary but necessary success shows that Israel’s military campaign must continue until we are able to secure the release of all the hostages still held in Gaza."
In an interview on NPR's Here and Now, Omer Bartov discusses how he has heard the term genocide used to describe what the Israeli government is doing, but warns against its usage based on the current evidence.
Dany Bahar writes an opinion piece for The Forward in response to the Israeli government's approved deal with Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
In an recent Vox article, Mark Blyth offered commentary on the economics of former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The Shortwave Report Podcast
The Shortwave Report November 17, 2023
In an interview on The Shortwave Report podcast, Omer Bartov discusses what genocide is, and whether the world is witnessing the first stages of genocide and crimes against humanity on the part of the IDF and Hamas fighters now.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Wendy Schiller said President Joe Biden conveyed an image of “calming things down” during his meeting with China's President Xi Jinping.
In an interview with CNN, Omer Bartov speaks on what he says could be war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas.
In a recent piece for The Forward, Dany Bahar writes "I’ve watched some students increasingly voice extremely offensive views toward Israel and Jews under the banner of free speech."
The New Yorker
How to Define Genocide (interview with Omer Bartov)
During a recent interview with The New Yorker, Omer Bartov examines Israel’s rhetoric and actions in Gaza.
The Washington Post
Xi and Biden meet amid a fracturing world order (comments by Lyle Goldstein)
In an article for The Washington Post, Lyle Goldstein discusses how to make genuine and lasting improvements in US-China relations.
In an interview for Medium, Omer Bartov warns of potential genocide in Gaza.
In a recent VOA article, Omer Bartov discusses the feasibility of a two-state solution.
In an interview on NPR's 1A, Wendy Schiller discusses a case the Supreme Court will soon hear that challenges a federal law stripping gun ownership rights from people under domestic violence protection orders.
In a recent article for Nikkei Asia, Lyle Goldstein discusses the Xi-Biden meeting.
Lyle Goldstein comments for The Washington Post, “It’s reached a very, very high level of tension. War could essentially happen any time.”
Sky News Australia
Taiwan on the agenda for Xi-Biden talks (interview with Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein discusses China-Taiwan tensions in an interview with Sky News Australia.
In a recent article for El País, Ieva Jusionyte comments, "It has become a much more complex business," drawing on her years of research on arms trafficking.
In a recent article for The Diplomat, Lyle Goldstein discusses the volatile situation in the South China Sea.
The New York Times
What I Believe as a Historian of Genocide (written by Omer Bartov)
Omer Bartov writes in the New York Times, "We know from history that it is crucial to warn of the potential for genocide before it occurs, rather than belatedly condemn it after it has taken place. I think we still have that time."
Christian Science Monitor
Parents’ election plea: Could schools get back to teaching? (comments by Jonathan Collins)
In an article for the Christian Science Monitor, Jonathan Collins comments on the results of this week's nationwide local elections, in which many conservative school board candidates lost to their more moderate or liberal competitors.
In an interview with Democracy Now, Omer Bartov states “The refusal of the Israeli government to find any kind of compromise with the Palestinians … is what led and keeps leading to this ongoing and increasingly violent confrontation between Israel and the Palestinians."
In an article for Rhode Island Current, Wendy Schiller comments on the haste in appointing a new Senator after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death.
The Boston Globe
The Ukraine war has no end in sight (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer writes for The Boston Globe, "Both warring armies have goals they must achieve before laying down their weapons. The goals are fundamentally incompatible. Neither side is willing to accept even the other’s minimum demands."
Lyle Goldstein co-authors a piece for The Diplomat arguing Russia and Ukraine have used loitering munitions successfully in the current war, which China is watching closely.
In an interview on MSNBC, Omer Bartov discusses Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Omer Bartov penned this op-ed for The Conversation on the current events in Israel and Gaza.
In an interview with The Boston Globe, Mark Blyth discusses public spending, deficits and the consequences of austerity measures.
A recent New York Magazine article references research by Emily Oster on COVID-19 infection-rate data in schools.
Jeff Colgan comments in a recent article for The Times.
David Kertzer writes a profile on the famous jurist Guido Calabresi for The Atlantic.
A recent CNBC article cites research from John Friedman and his colleagues that shows numerous variables that define neighborhoods all have lasting impacts on children’s future income.
Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Wounds across Borders (interview with Ieva Jusionyte)
In an interview on the Harvard Radcliffe Institute's podcast BornCurious, Ieva Jusionyte explains what bodily injuries tell us about borders, violence, and our society.
In an interview with WION, Lyle Goldstein discusses how Wang Yi's trip to the U.S. could set the tone for a potential meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping.
A recent Forbes article cites a study by Rose McDermott, which explores the correlation between a leader's age and their propensity to initiate and escalate militarized disputes.
A recent piece in The Defense Post references a 2022 report from the Climate Solutions Lab that mapped security threats created by the U.S. military’s dependence on fossil fuels.
A recent article in The Sacramento Bee states that a handful of states reached pre-pandemic levels on their state tests based on data collected by Emily Oster.
In an article for NBC News, Adam Levine discussed the risk of tainted water in war zones, noting that in other conflicts around the world, infectious diseases actually kill more civilians than bombs or bullets.
Wendy Schiller comments for The Guardian, “It’s one thing to be chaotic if you’re Trump – but it’s another to not be able to pass any legislation at all.”
In an interview on Bloomberg's The Tape podcast, Wendy Schiller discusses the latest on the House Speakership.
In an article for Vox, Omer Bartov offered commentary on some of the policies of the West Bank.
Stephen Kinzer writes for The Boston Globe "Nations should logically do whatever is in their best interest. When they don’t, it’s often because of mistrust or hatred that is rooted in their past."
Sky News Australia
China Denies 'Debt Trap Diplomacy'
In an interview with Sky News Australia, Lyle Goldstein discusses Putin's recent visit to Beijing.
In a guest essay for The New York Times, Jeff Colgan argued that Exxon Mobil’s purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources would set off a wave of consolidation throughout the oil sector that would weaken market competition and undermine democracy.
In an article for Colorado Public Radio, Jonathan Collins offered commentary on civic engagement, noting that most people tend to not be interested in hyper-partisan political issues.
In an article for The 74, Emily Oster discusses the findings by the COVID-19 School Data Hub, which she directs, noting there are states where students are recovering from or exceeding COVID-related declines in reading and science.
In a recent Chicago Tribune article, Peter Andreas called the busing by Abbott an “interesting extension of the idea of trafficking.”
A recent Salon article references data from the Costs of War project that calculated there were more than 400,000 direct civilian deaths in the U.S. post-9/11 wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.
Wendy Schiller was featured on Bloomberg's The Tape podcast to discuss topics including the Biden administration’s response to the conflict in Israel.
Omer Bartov was interviewed for WPRI about the current situation in Israel and Gaza and offered historical context.
A recent Associated Press article references David Kertzer's speech at the Pontifical Gregorian University on his research into the World War II-era record of Pope Pius XII.
Dany Bahar writes for The Forward, "Hamas couldn’t care less about who they kill, as long as they kill Jews."
In an article for The Economist, Mark Blyth offered commentary on Britain’s Labor Party.
In a recent USA Today article, Wendy Schiller comments on the significance of Rep. Nancy Pelosi boarding a military plane to accompany the body of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to California.
Connecticut Public Radio
How did school boards become political flashpoints? (interview with Jonathan Collins)
In an interview on Connecticut Public Radio, Jonathan Collins discusses the politics — and power — of school boards in Connecticut and across the country.
In a recent Associated Press article, Emily Oster notes there has been a large decline of infant deaths due to SIDS due to preventative steps parents have taken, such as having infants sleep on their back.
Power Problem Podcast
Human Psychology and Nuclear Brinkmanship (interview with Rose McDermott)
In an interview on Power Problems podcast from the Cato Institute, Rose McDermott discusses the psychology of political leaders.
Wendy Schiller comments for The Western Journal, “It contributes to a general sense that the American Dream is out of reach and that if the Democratic Party promises a middle-class American Dream and it’s failing, then I think those voters are more likely to listen to the Republican Party.”
In an interview on the Financial Times' Working It podcast, John Friedman explains why social mobility has faltered in the US and how that trend might be reversed.
Robert Wright's Nonzero Podcast
What Would a War over Taiwan Look Like? (interview with Lyle Goldstein)
In an interview on Robert Wright's Nonzero podcast, Lyle Goldstein discusses how DC think tanks underestimate China's military.
Emily Oster comments for USA Today, “There are kids who will forever be behind.”