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.
In the News
CPI, Financial Advising, and DC Latest (interview with Wendy Schiller)
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.
Vatican defends wartime Pope Pius XII as conference honors Israeli victims of Hamas incursion
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.
This war united Israelis like never before — and we will continue to fight for peace (written by Dany Bahar)
Dany Bahar writes for The Forward, "Hamas couldn’t care less about who they kill, as long as they kill Jews."
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.
Is Britain’s Labour Party a bunch of Tories, naifs or liars? (comments by Mark Blyth)
In an article for The Economist, Mark Blyth offered commentary on Britain’s Labor Party.
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.
How to smash the class ceiling in the workplace (interview with John Friedman)
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.
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.
Differing infant mortality rates in Japan and the US are not connected to vaccine policies (Emily Oster's research cited)
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.
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.
Biden's Beatdown of American Dream: Homes "Unaffordable" in 99% of Nation for Average American, Study Shows (comments by Wendy Schiller)
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.”
Emily Oster comments for USA Today, “There are kids who will forever be behind.”
Proxy Wars/ America Run Amok (interview with Stephen Kinzer)
In an interview on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour, Stephen Kinzer discusses America's bloody history of proxy wars.
His opponent wants a dozen, but Gabe Amo agrees to just one debate before the CD1 election (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for The Providence Journal, "He can reasonably argue that voters know his positions on most issues at this point."
A Funny Thing Happened on Way to Stock-Bond Gloom (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments on the government shutdown for Bloomberg “You’re going to waste money with a shutdown, then you’re going to get more money, and then Biden benefits from that."
With Feinstein’s death, what happens with her seat on Judiciary committee, other panels? (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for Los Angeles Times “Smart senators who shape successful careers think very seriously about their committee assignments. It is the bulk of how they form their reputation, particularly in their first six years.”
Detroit Today: Unpacking the Republican debate, Trump and Biden’s visit (interview with Wendy Schiller)
In an interview on NPR's Detroit Today, Wendy Schiller discusses how both Biden and Trump attempted to win the favor of UAW workers in Michigan this week.
Putin and the Psychology of Nuclear Brinksmanship (comments by Rose McDermott)
In a speaker session for NSI, Rose McDermott shares her research on nuclear psychology as it applies to Vladimir Putin.
Landmines in Ukraine: Lessons for China and Taiwan (co-authored by Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein co-authored an analysis for The Diplomat about China’s assessments of the war in Ukraine to probe for lessons to understand the shape of modern warfare.
Why The War in Ukraine Did Not Break Europe's Fossil Fuel Addiction (interview with Jeff Colgan)
In a Global Dispatches podcast interview, Jeff Colgan discusses the war in Ukraine and its relationship to fossil fuel consumption.
A Lively Experiment 9/22/2023 (interview with Wendy Schiller)
On an episode of Rhode Island PBS's A Lively Experiment, Wendy Schiller discusses a federal judge's decision to dismiss the shoreline access lawsuit, the pros and cons of special elections, and a new report that shows chronic absenteeism in Providence schools.
Is Modi's India Heading in the Right Direction? (interview with Prerna Singh)
In an interview on Open to Debate podcast, Prerna Singh argues that Modi’s India is not heading in the right direction.
JPMorgan's Malek Says We Can Survive Even $120 Oil
In an interview on Bloomberg Surveillance, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on the looming risk of a government shutdown.
A dangerous moment for minorities (written by Ashutosh Varshney)
Ashutosh Varshney writes for The Straits Times, "The question of what role minorities have in a democratic polity has been around for a very long time, and does have its ups and down."
Even the Senate is loosening its dress code in the return-to-office era (comments by Wendy Schiller)
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Wendy Schiller offered commentary on Congressional dress codes.
The clash of Bidenomics and MAGAnomics (interview with Mark Blyth)
In an interview on Marketplace, Mark Blyth explains what Bidenomics actually means and why it’s not the easiest message to sell to voters.
‘Military harassment’: China sends record number of aircraft near Taiwan (comments by Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein comments for Stars and Stripes, “This could be part of China’s strategy to stretch and intimidate Taiwan’s forces.”
Americans Can Barely Afford Homes — and That’s a Problem for Biden (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for BNN Bloomberg, “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 China, the challenge of democracy without elections (written by Ashutosh Varshney)
Ashutosh Varshney writes for The Indian Express, "The Communist Party does not accept any challenges to its monopoly over power. A way out is to intellectually formulate a non-electoral conception of democracy and propagate it to the world. But that comes with its own challenges."
Letter showing Pope Pius XII had detailed information from German Jesuit about Nazi crimes revealed (comments by David Kertzer)
In a recent Associated Press article, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Italian Studies David Kertzer, who uncovered evidence in the Vatican archives of the Catholic church's history of involvement in the persecution of Jews, offers commentary.
Should we be worried about older politicians? (comments by Rose McDermott)
Rose McDermott comments for BBC News, "You have these kind of established schemas and ways of thinking about things. And you're able to integrate new information into existing structures much more readily and in many cases creatively than you can when you're younger because you don't sit on the same degree of knowledge base."
Exhibit ‘Endangered Animals and Their Ghosts: The Wish to Move Backward’ opens at the Watson Institute
A recent Brown Daily Herald article features the new Art at Watson exhibit ‘Endangered Animals and Their Ghosts: The Wish to Move Backward’ by Jess Regelson.
50 years later, Chile’s coup has a disturbing number of supporters (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer writes for The Boston Globe "The 1973 overthrow of a democratically elected government led to disappearances, repression, and dictatorship. Today, many Chileans see it as a moment of liberation."
Twenty-two years later, what is the enduring significance of 9/11? Rhode Islanders reflect. (comments by Michael Kennedy)
In a piece for Ocean State Stories, Michael Kennedy shares his reflections on the anniversary of 9/11.
Pentagon Misled Congress About U.S. Bases in Africa (comments by Stephanie Savell)
Stephanie Savell comments for The Intercept “This is a case of the U.S. military showing a marked lack of transparency by using technicalities to avoid conveying an accurate understanding of the extent of U.S. bases in Africa."
Chinese Military Strategists Study the Pacific War to Enhance Amphibious Warfare Capabilities (written by Lyle Goldstein)
Visiting Professor Lyle Goldstein shares an analysis of the Chinese military strategy for Norwich University News.
'Welcome to the USA! Now get to work.' (interview with Blair Sackett)
In an interview on NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money, Blair Sackett explains how current policy essentially resettles refugees into poverty.
Researchers Identify Jews Aided by Catholics in Nazi Era as Pope Was Silent (comments by David Kertzer)
David Kertzer, who uncovered evidence in the Vatican archives of the Catholic church's history of involvement in the persecution of Jews, offered commentary in this New York Times story.
How the Navy spent billions on the ‘Little Crappy Ship’ (comments by Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein comments for ProPublica, “There is a lot of money flowing through this vast ecosystem, and somehow the only thing all these people can agree on is more, more, more."
In an interview with CNA's Asia First, Prerna Singh discusses the India G20 invite controversy.
Five takeaways from Gabe Amo’s Democratic primary victory (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for Rhode Island Current “He ended up breaking through at the right time to a bunch of voters who were not overly excited or committed to any of the front-running candidates and gave him a second look."
Democrat Gabe Amo one win away from being 1st person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress (comments by Wendy Schiller)
In an article for Associated Press, Wendy Schiller comments on Gabe Amo's Democratic primary win for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District special election.
AlphaSimplex’s Katy Kaminski Digs In With Her Bet Against Bonds (comments by Wendy Schiller)
In a recent Bloomberg article, Wendy Schiller mapped out how the general election math of 2024 favors President Joe Biden over Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
In Chaotic Rhode Island Primary, 11 Democrats Vie for a House Seat (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for the New York Times, “There are a lot of groups that have been excluded from power that are now vying for power successfully, and you wonder how it can all be harnessed."
What to Know in Washington: Democrats Run Tests in Rhode Island (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for Bloomberg Government “This race can give us hints about the persistent battle in the Democratic Party between White very liberal progressives and candidates of color.”
Carlson exit from CD1 race reignites debate over R.I. early voting provisions (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller comments for Rhode Island Current, “In voting early, you take a risk. But typically, the voters that are going to take the time to vote and vote early are doing so because they have such a strong preference.”