At around 100 kilometers long, the Darién Gap is a large stretch of treacherous terrain and the only interruption in the Pan-American Highway, which otherwise runs from the top of Alaska to the Southern tip of Argentina. Tall mountains, deep … Continue reading
Category: The Americas
Harvard vs Trump: The Political Escalation in an Educational Institution
The growing conflict between Harvard University and the Trump administration raises urgent questions about the boundaries of academic freedom, federal oversight, and the obligation to protect students from discrimination. Following rising concerns over antisemitism on campus by government officials, including … Continue reading
He Walks the Blocks He Represents: Mamdani’s Campaign of Connection
As political disillusionment deepens and establishment figures cling to power, a new kind of candidate is capturing the public’s attention. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani is running a unique mayoral campaign that challenges traditional power structures and reimagines who … Continue reading
Trump’s Tariffs and the Clean Energy Backlash
From vehicles to medicinal products, the tariffs imposed by President Trump cover a wide range of goods, impacting economies and lifestyles across the world.
Tariffs have historically been implemented as a protectionist means to bolster the local economy and its … Continue reading
Can Democracy Withstand AI Misinformation?
I. Introduction
Just before the January 2024 Democratic primary in New Hampshire, thousands of voters received an unusual phone call from what sounded like President Joe Biden telling them to “save your vote for the November election.” But the call … Continue reading
Ballots or Backslide? How Mexico’s Judicial Elections Threaten Democratic Checks
This month, Mexico became the first country in the world to hold nationwide elections for judicial positions— a major shift from the long-standing previous system where Congress appointed judges. Framed as a democratic milestone by the Morena party, the reform … Continue reading
Shock Therapy: The Human Cost of Radical Capitalism in Argentina
In December 2023, Javier Milei, a former economist and self-proclaimed ‘anarcho-capitalist,’ took office as president of Argentina, vowing to dismantle government control, slash public spending, and let free-market forces dictate the economy’s course. Rising to power on a wave of … Continue reading
The Essequibo Dispute: Venezuela’s Naval Incursion and Its Implications
On March 1st, a Venezuelan naval ship entered the waters off Guyana’s Essequibo coast. This came as part of an over century-long struggle over the Essequibo territory which forms almost two-thirds of Guyana. While Venezuela disputes accusations of the incursion, … Continue reading
Too Numb to the Pain: Hurricane Damage in Southwestern Florida
I had been preparing for the worst, but I was stunned to see that the island was mostly intact.
In early October of 2024, I watched from afar as Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida. While news of these catastrophic events … Continue reading
Nationalism Without Borders: The Transatlantic Rise of the Right
Nationalism is resurging, transforming the political landscape across the Western world. Over the past decade, right-wing movements have gained ground, challenging liberal democratic norms and reshaping agendas, from trade policy to cultural discourse. In the U.S., Donald Trump has led … Continue reading