Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee for President in 1964, was in no way a virulent racist, like others in his era, including Bull Connor, George Wallace or Strom Thurmond. But he reached a higher plateau in American politics and his views on ‘freedom’ were in direct contrast with those of Martin Luther King, Jr., …
Throughout history diplomats have played keys roles in settling disputes among nations by winning alliances, splintering enemy coalitions, and making peace with their bitterest foes. And, yet, in the post- Cold War period America has relied more upon the strength of its military, international covenants and economic muscle, as the world’s reserve currency, to impose …
Our guest took on a sweeping assignment in his new book “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution.” But Michael O’Hanlon, of the Brookings Institution, and the author of this ambitious work came away convinced that there has been a steadier strategic theme throughout our history than he had earlier imagined. Whether …
If you think about it virtually all major public policy issues involve the application of science. How do we deal with global warming? What limits can we put on the development of nuclear capability from a rogue nation that we are able to drag to a bargaining table? How do we get consensus on a …
It’s fair to say that I had no idea that a society which likes to lock all of our troubles away, was now releasing many youthful offenders into different types of therapeutic settings, which take various forms. This phenomenon has been going on for the last twenty years as one state after another has shuttered …
A series of threats have landed on the doorstep of leaders in higher education. These include a demographic cliff which jeopardizes the very existence of some institutions, the advent of AI and the uncertainties it presents for faculty and students prospects going forward, attacks on academic freedom from the Trump Administration, along with threats to …
The post-World War II world has seen America defending and trying to export democracy and free markets through its military might and the development of international organizations having the same purpose. Under the Trump Administration II, and its recently released National Security Strategy the new approach can best be described as an ‘America First’ national …
There is a growing awareness about the increasing dangers of plastic. We see it everywhere, yet some of the invisible plastics contamination, called microplastics or nano-plastics, may be as insidious as what can see. It can be found everywhere in our environment–even our bodies–as a persistent, accumulating toxin, with carcinogens and other hazards. Our guest, …
There is a crucially significant case now before the U.S. Supreme Court which may be decided within days or months. The timing will determine whether its impact is felt in this Congressional cycle (2026) or 2028. It deals with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark civil rights statute that was re-authorized by …
If more Americans regularly saw primary care doctors, many lives–and billions of dollars–could be saved. The preventative care they provide is crucial as a foundation to the entire health care system. Yet, the fee-for-service model is an inefficient one and should be replaced by a value-based approach, according to Dr. Troyen Brennan and adjunct professor …