In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson School 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 the Watson School, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
In the News
News media from around the world rely on the expertise of Watson School 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 the Watson School, opinion pieces by our faculty, interviews, podcasts and more.
Reid Pauly offered commentary in this article on how the Iran conflict could spark a new nuclear arms race.
Andrew Schrank co-authored this op-ed on AI and the future of work.
Commonweal Magazine
Delivery problems (interview with Marc J. Dunkelman)
In this interview, Marc J. Dunkelman discussed the growing frustration with the government’s inability to finish major projects on time and on budget and what can be done about it.
Heidi Peltier, director of programs at Brown University’s Costs of War project, offered commentary in this article.
In this op-ed, Ashutosh Varshney argues that heavy bombing will not be enough to lead to Iran's surrender, and a long, crushing war may need to be waged for that.
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings
The Battle of Gallipoli's sobering lessons for the Strait of Hormuz (article by Lyle Goldstein)
In this article, Lyle Goldstein discussed the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli as an example of the kinds of problems that can arise in a battle for control over a constricted waterway like the Strait of Hormuz.
This op-ed cites research from Watson's Costs of War project.
Maybe We Evolved Wrong
Regime change in Iran is a nonstarter (Reid Pauly cited)
This article on the possibility of regime change in Iran cited research by Reid Pauly.
This article on the effect of war on economic activity cited research from The Costs of War project.
Neta Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War project, discusses how military conflicts impact the environment and highlight the need to increase investment in renewable energy.
Deborah Gordon will deliver a talk at the next meeting of the New Bedford Science Café on April 7.
The Chicago Tribune
Why Donald Trump's war could play into China's hands (op-ed by Lyle Goldstein)
In this op-ed, Lyle Goldstein argued that problems in the Persian Gulf are likely to give further impetus to China-Russia energy cooperation in the Arctic.
Jeff Colgan offered commentary in this article on the impact of the Iran conflict on oil prices.
This article cited research from a paper published in 2013 by a team led by Rose McDermott that found people were 75% more likely to divorce if a close friend divorced.
Texas National Security Review
The influence of psychological factors in the search for strategic stability (scholarly analysis by Rose McDermott)
In this article in the Texas National Security Review, Rose McDermott reviews her research on how the psychological proclivities of authoritarian leaders of nuclear powers can influence their decisions and behavior.
Los Angeles Times (via Miami Herald)
Trump is searching for an endgame to the Iran war (commentary by Reid Pauly)
Reid Pauly offered commentary for this article on Trump's search for an exit strategy from the Iran conflict.
This article on the possibility of China attacking U.S. bases in Korea featured commentary from Lyle Goldstein.
This opinion piece cites research led by Neta Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War project at the Watson School, on the impacts of war on climate change.
This article on the costs of the Iran conflict cited research by Neta Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War Project.
Stephanie Savell provided commentary for this article on the cost of the Iran conflict.
Jeff Colgan spoke to Mother Jones about petro-imperialism, the role of oil in recent U.S. military actions, and the national security advantage of solar and wind power.
The Pararliament Magazine
The EU welcomes France’s nuclear turn, but questions remain (commentary by Reid Pauly)
Reid Pauly provided commentary for this article on French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France's nuclear arsenal will play a more central role in protecting the territories of European partners.
Stephanie Savell offered commentary on the conflict in Iran and comparisons to the war in Iraq.
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary in this article on how China might target U.S. military assets in Asian countries in the event of a Taiwan Straight conflict.
Stephanie Savell offered commentary in this article about the cost of U.S. military actions in Iran.
Heidi Peltier provided commentary on the cost of the war in Iran on U.S. taxpayers
In this interview, Mark Blyth discussed the economic grievances that have led to the rise of contemporary populism.
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary in this article about Chinese Defense Chief Dong Jun's remarks that stressed prudence as the Xi-Trump summit looms, suggesting no imminent military action on Taiwan.
Ashutosh Varshney offered commentary on this article about Indian Prime Minister Modi's lack of influence over events in the Iran-U.S./Israel conflict.
This article cites a recent report by the Costs of War project at the Watson School that estimates more journalists were killed in Gaza since the war began 2023 than during World Wars I and II combined.
Issues in Science and Technology
Can industrial policy still do big things (written by Andrew Schrank)
A year after he left office, President Biden’s industrial policy is widely considered a failure. But the tools his administration developed are still in play and have defied a long-standing consensus about what is possible. In this paper, Andrew Schrank reevaluates the impact of "Bidenomics."
Neta Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War project at the Watson School, noted that military activity contributes significantly to global emissions each year.
The Berkshire Edge
The other side: War once more (Costs of War research cited)
This commentary cited the Costs of War estimates that over 185,000 Iraqi civilians were killed during the Iraq War.
The New York Times
Dreams of a monarchy (op-ed by Stephen Kinzer)
In this op-ed, Stephen Kinzer discusses the hope among some that Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah who was deposed in 1979, could return to power and forge a pro-American regime in Tehran.
Scientific Sense Podcast
Prof. John Friedman of Brown on Opportunity Insights (interview with John N. Friedman)
John N. Friedman spoke to Gill Eapen about Opportunity Insights for the Scientific Sense podcast.
Anzhela Kalsynova, a Brown graduate student in public health and public affairs, penned an op-ed arguing that private equity purchase of Rhode Island nursing homes has resulted in a lower standard of care at most facilities.
RealClear World
Taiwan’s defense budget dilemma (op-ed by Lyle Goldstein)
In this op-ed, Lyle Goldstein explains how the Taiwan legislature's recent refusal to increase defense spending reveals fissures on the island regarding its approach to China. He argues Americans need to be clear-eyed and realistic about Taiwan, and urges cautious deliberation over bombast and bromides.
The News International
US has doled out $21.7bn military aid to Israel since Oct 2023 (Costs of War research cited)
This story on U.S. aid to Israel cited research from the Watson School's Costs of War Project.
Jeff Colgan was interviewed by a CBC reporter about the relationship between the Iran conflict and global oil markets.
This article cites a recent report by the Costs of War project at the Watson School that estimates the military’s operations in Iran cost between $2 billion and $2.25 billion in 2025.
This article cites data from a recent report by the Costs of War project at the Watson School on U.S. military aid and arms transfers to Israel.
This op-ed mentions an article written by Ieva Jusionyte in the wake of the Dec. 13 shootings, in which she discussed the difficulties in coming to terms with the tragedy, even as a scholar of gun violence.
In this article, Jeff Colgan placed the U.S. attack on Iran in the context of other instances of U.S. aggression against an oil-producing states.
This opinion piece cites data from a 2023 report by Brown’s Costs of War project.
In this article, Ieva Jusionyte offered commentary on how lax American gun laws mean weapons are readily available to buy and smuggle south of the border.
In this op-ed, Stephen Kinzer places Donald Trump's military action against Iran in the context of a long list of failed interventions in the Middle East.
Montana Free Press
The first-in-the-nation TikTik ban that wasn’t (commentary by Timothy Edgar)
Timothy Edgar offered commentary on data and privacy concerns about TikTok.
Ieva Jusionyte offered commentary in this article about the killing of cartel boss "El Mencho" and how violence in Mexico is fueled by U.S. guns and money.
The American Conservative
On Taiwan and Japan, Chinese belligerence backfires (commentary by Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary for this article about how Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi turned China's hard-line stance on Taiwan into a major political victory for her party.
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary on concessions the Trump administration might make to an arms package for Taiwan as the administration seeks to strike a trade deal with China.
Heidi Peltier provided commentary in this article on the cost to U.S. taxpayers to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry and military presence there to stabilize the country and make it a safe enough investment.
This article references a report by researchers at the Climate Solutions Lab
Dany Bahar discussed the evidence on refugees’ economic integration, and which policies help most with Giovanni Peri (U.C. Davis).
In this op-ed, Lyle Goldstein argued that amid a bleak overall foreign policy picture, Trump’s decisive move back to ‘strategic ambiguity’ on Taiwan is part of a welcome shift toward moderation vis-a-vis China.
Responsible Statecraft
Trump vs. his China hawks (commentary by Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary on the dynamics between China hawks and those advocating a more pragmatic approach within the Trump administration.
Lyle Goldstein offered commentary in this article on the politics of increased defense spending in Taiwan.
Lyle Goldstein commented on the CH YH-1000S, an unmanned vehicle that is considered capable of supplying combat troops, which completed its maiden flight over the weekend.
Ashutosh Varshney provided commentary in this article.
This analysis includes commentary from Mark Blyth.
Pod Save America
Why are Democrats afraid of power (interview with Marc Dunkleman)
Marc Dunkleman discusses how Democrats — once they regain power — can make government work again with "Pod Save America" host Jon Lovett.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Controlling global oil — the backstory (interview with Jeff Colgan)
Jeff Colgan discusses the history of the politics and history behind supplying and denying oil.
Responsible Statecraft
Spheres of influence for me, not for thee? (contribution from Lyle Goldstein)
Lyle Goldstein addresses spheres of influence and what happens when American interests collide with China's 'near abroad.'