Humanitarian crises are multiplying around the globe, but a Brown University researcher says we could be responding in a more rigorous way.
In the News
Events across campus to spotlight Election 2016, before and after (Watson events mentioned)
Multiple events focued around the 2016 presidential election are listed in a campus-wide round up.
Greenland officials are calling on Denmark to address the toxic clean up mess buried beneath ice sheets at Camp Century, citing a study co-authored by Brown scientist Jeff Colgan.
Blowback for American sins in the Philippines (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer, a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, writes about the forgotten Philippine War that has come back to haunt the United States.
'The last free lunch': PBOC's Zhou had early qualms on debt swaps (comments by Ed Steinfeld)
Director of the Watson Institute Edward Steinfeld comments on the 1999 bail out program in China that lauded by some officials and criticized by others.
Study on climate change's impact on abandoned U.S. military base sparks debate in Greenland and Denmark (Jeff Colgan research cited)
A research study in which Jeff Colgan is a co-author, found that climate change is causing the Greenland Ice Sheet to melt and could potentially expose radioactive waste at Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. military base.
Award-winning architects selected for two new Brown building projects
"The Watson Institute expansion includes the renovation of 65 Charlesfield, a 10,000-square-foot, three-story historic structure on the corner of Charlesfield and Brook Streets, and 20,000 square feet in new construction adjacent to the current institute at 111 Thayer St."
The frighteningly high human and financial costs of war (Costs of War Project cited)
This week marks the 15th anniversary of United States' invasion of Afghanistan and it's a been a costly affair, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University.
Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia (Elias Muhanna book review)
"Sprawling over two million words and 33 volumes, al-Nuwayri's "The Ultimate Ambition in the Arts of Erudition" has long been considered a monument of classical Islamic learning. A significantly abridged version is now available in English, translated by Elias Muhanna, a professor of Arabic literature at Brown University."
Ethics restoration would not restrict speech says Cheit (comments by Ross Cheit and Wendy Schiller)
Professors Ross Cheit and Wendy Schiller are quoted in this story on Rhode Island ballot question 2, which addresses ethics commission oversight.
Melting Ice Threatens to Expose Former U.S. Nuclear Base in Greenland (co-authored by Jeff Colgan)
Jeff Colgan in New Security Beat, "As the ice melts, the camp's infrastructure, as well as any remaining biological, chemical, and radioactive waste, will re-enter the environment and potentially disrupt nearby ecosystems and human health on a broader scale."
Why are young Iranian couples having trouble getting pregnant? (written by Narges Bajoghli)
Narges Bajoghli in Al-Monitor, "Iran has long been a leader in the Middle East on treating infertility, with nearly 100 clinics nationwide that serve not only Iranian couples, but also couples from neighboring states who come to take advantage of the country's open stance toward such treatments."
The US is your know-it-all friend who should just keep his mouth shut (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer in The Boston Globe, "Exaggerating threats to the United States and downplaying the high cost of reckless intervention have become the daily bread of countless lobbyists, pundits, and politicians."
Greenland's receding icecap to expose top-secret US nuclear project (Jeff Colgan research cited)
A recent study co-authored by Jeff Colgan, Professor of Political Science, describes the secret US military project Camp Century and its potential exposure due to climate change.
California's U.S. Senate candidates are on their own as the national Democratic Party sits it out (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Political scientist Wendy Schiller comments on the Senate race between two Democratic rivals in California who are not being supported by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
US Congress overrides Obama's veto on 9/11 bill (comments by Stephen Kinzer and Chas Freeman)
Watson Institute fellows Stephen Kinzer and Chas Freeman comment on the ramifications of a controversial bill that would allow families of the 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in backing the attackers.
The first presidential debate: What we learned (interview with Wendy Schiller)
Wendy Schiller discusses the first presidential debate with Kerri Miller of Minnesota Public Radio.
Wendy Schiller on Marketplace Tech (interview)
Wendy Schiller discusses the first presidential debate and social media's on Marketplace Tech with Molly Wood.
Clash of titans: Clinton, Trump gird for first debate (comments by Wendy Schiller)
Brown political scientist Wendy Schiller comments on what Hillary Clinton supporters want to see from her at next week's presidential debate.
Brown provost joins global leaders awarded for work on fairness and human rights (Rick Locke mentioned)
Provost Richard Locke received an inaugural Progress Medal from The Society for Progress for his scholarship on working conditions and labor rights in the global economy.
James Morone, a political scientist at Brown University, comments on the strategies the presidential candidates might use from Sarah Palin's playbook.
Peter Andreas, Professor of International Studies and Political Science, comments on the presidential candidates' proposed solutions of the opioid painkiller and heroin epidemic.
Venezuela has solved its hunger problem? Don't believe the U.N.'s numbers (written by Michelle Jurkovich)
Michelle Jurkovich in The Washington Post, "We haven't decided what 'hunger' is, nor is there agreement on how to measure it."
Glenn Loury, professor of social sciences, discusses political correctness, the legacy of state-sanctioned racism and his disagreements with the Atlantic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates.
What the political doctor orders (co-authored by Jim Morone)
In the New York Daily News, Jim Morone and David Blumenthal discuss the history of presidential candidates hiding illnesses.
Will this be a four-party election? (written by Ted Widmer)
Ted Widmer, senior fellow at the Watson Institute, examines history to assess the potential impact of third parties in presidential elections.
The Dark Arts (comments by John Friedman)
John Friedman comments on the benefits that drugmakers have seen since the revision of the Medicare program in 2003.
Why Obama Should Pardon Edward Snowden (written by Tim Edgar)
Tim Edgar in Lawfare Blog, "Snowden forced the NSA to become more transparent, more accountable, more protective of privacy—and more effective.
When the future is uncertain, is the past any guide? (written by Mark Blyth)
Mark Blyth, professor of political economy, writes an article about the current global financial uncertainty and looks to the past for guidance on investing in a tumultuous market.
9/11 Saudi Arabia Bill Opens US to Avalanche of Lawsuits (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer in The Boston Globe, "Then, evidently energized, they went inside and passed a bill that would allow relatives of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for its apparent support of the attackers. President Obama is likely to veto it."
Fighting Terrorism With a Credit Card (Costs of War Project cited)
The Costs of War Project was cited in The Atlantic, "Since the 9/11 attacks, America has poured $3.2 trillion into its wars, according to a new study from Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs."
Teaching 9/11 in the Classroom (Choices Program)
Director of Curriculum Development for the Choices Program Andy Blackadar, and Teaching Fellow Jennifer La Place talk to WOSU about the challenges of teaching students about 9/11 and how it has changed over the years.
Report Tallies Total Cost of Post-Sept. 11 Wars (Costs of War Project cited)
Watson's Costs of War project cited in U.S. News & World Report, "According to a study released Friday through Brown University's Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs, government spending on the military, diplomacy, foreign aid, homeland security and services to veterans have cost U.S. taxpayers upward of $4.79 trillion in the post-Sept. 11 era."
How Solidarity Works for Welfare (Prerna Singh featured)
Watson Institute Faculty Fellow Prerna Singh discusses How Solidarity Works for Welfare: Subnationalism and Social Development in India with the New Books Network podcast.
Little Data, Big Solutions: How Cities and Universities Can Create More Meaningful and Equitable Policy
GPD trainees and sociology graduates Diana Graizbord and Jamie McPike, along with Nicole Pollock Chief of Staff for the City of Providence ('08), published an account on the importance of little data. "With all the excitement around the potential for Big Data to improve urban governance, we fear that those among us who are committed to research-based civic innovation may have overlooked the potential of in-depth, ethnographic data, or what we're calling 'little data.'"
The Kingmaker Club (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Stephen Kinzer, senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, writes an op-ed about the dilemmas facing Turkey and Saudi Arabia after becoming involved in the Middle East conflict -- much to the their detriment.
Prerna Singh Wins 2016 Woodrow Wilson Foundation Award
The Woodrow Wilson Award is given annually for the best book on government, politics, or international affairs. Singh won the award for her book How Solidarity Works for Welfare: Subnationalism and Social Development in India.
Dilma Rousseff on Ouster: This is a Coup the Will Impact Every Democratic Organization in Brazil (interview with Jim Green)
Jim Green, Director of the Brazil Initiative, talks with Democracy Now! on Dilma Rousseff's impeachment.
The recently published The Ultimate Ambition in the Arts of Erudition, edited by Elias Muhanna, is reviewed by NPR.
Former Brazilian president says democracy is in jeopardy (comments by Jim Green)
With the chamber set to decide later this week whether former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff is guilty of corruption charges, professor James Green comments on the political upheaval in South America's largest economy.
Traffic stop data released by RIDOT mandated to determine if racial disparities exist (comments by Justine Hastings)
Economics professor Justine Hastings comments on the work of the Rhode Island Innovative Policy Lab, which will examine traffic stop data in Rhode Island to determine if racial disparities exist.
The Interdisciplinarity of Globalizing Knowledge (written by Michael Kennedy)
"Reflecting on his recent book, Globalizing Knowledge, Michael Kennedy examines the affinities and interconnections between interdisciplinarity and efforts by scholars and institutions to shape global knowledge cultures."
Return of the cow (written by Ashutosh Varshney)
Ashutosh Varshney writes about the political issue of cow protection in India and how if not handled carefully could create divisiveness within the country's population.
Apocalypse Now?, Part 3: So Far, So Good? (interview with Chas Freeman)
Chris Lyddon of Radio Open Source talks to Ambassador Chas Freeman about his fear of a "vexxing drift of politics" globally including Brexit, and the upcoming US election.
Two independence days (comments by Ashutosh Varshney)
Ashutosh Varshney comments on an article about the relationship between Pakistan and India as they head into their respective independence days.
Stephen Kinzer on Life and War in Nicaragua (interview)
Stephen Kinzer speaks with Conor Sanchez of Va Pue Magazine about his time in Nicaragua and his book Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua.
Dangerous dynasties (written by Stephen Kinzer)
Citing recent political developments in Nicaragua, Watson Institute's Stephen Kinzer explains why dynastic regimes often end with tumultuous, sometimes bloody, overthrows.
How Black Markets Shaped America (interview with Peter Andreas)
Peter Andreas speaks with Bill Kilby of VICE to discuss black markets in America.