Effects of War in Ukraine on the Global Space Industry
The space industry is a collaborative, international field of study. Space agencies rely on states’ diplomatic efforts to establish and sustain partnerships that facilitate manned and unmanned missions to space. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 had significant diplomatic ramifications, particularly because Russia is a major player in the space industry. Waves of […]
Understanding Critical Resource Extraction in the Arctic
The Arctic Region The Arctic is the northernmost region of the Earth, centered on the North Pole. Most scientists define the Arctic as the area within the Arctic Circle, a line of latitude approximately 66.5° north of the Equator. The Arctic is home to more than 4 million people, including indigenous people such as the […]
Introduction to the New Transatlantic Agenda
Background Following the Second World War, the United States and Western European powers have built a strong relationship based on shared values such as democracy, free trade, and human rights, culminating in the New Transatlantic Agenda. The New Transatlantic Agenda was an agreement signed between the US and the EU in 1995, which outlined commitments […]
Cora Farrell, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Cora is a 2023 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, earning a B.A. in Political Science. Her academic interests include International Relations, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Public Health. Hailing from Fairbanks, Alaska, Cora has developed an interest in foreign policy as it pertains to the arctic region and the associated environmental concerns. Cora […]
Pros and Cons of 2023 NATO Military Aid to Ukraine
Introduction The North Atlantic Trade Organization, NATO, has maintained a strong relationship with Ukraine since the 1990s. NATO allies uphold that Ukrainian sovereignty is a shared security goal. The invasion of Crimea in 2014 furthered cooperation, especially through the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP). This aid package has aimed to improve Ukraine’s security and defense sectors […]
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and US-EU Relations
The Inflation Reduction Act The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed by President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022. The bill was designed to reduce US dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. It will also create clean energy jobs, and is projected to create up to 9 million jobs […]
US Involvement in the Lithium Triangle
Lithium, also known as white gold, is an important component in rechargeable batteries. These batteries are used in portable technology such as cell phones and laptops, as well as large scale electrical components. Specifically, Lithium-ion batteries store energy for solar panels, electric vehicles, and wind turbines making the resource essential for shifting away from fossil […]
Successes and Failures of US Response to Ukrainian Refugees
Background In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, a continuation of Russian expansion that began with their annexation of Crimea in 2014. The invasion was not localized—like the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula—and Ukrainians were forced to leave the country on a large scale (8.1 million fled as of March 2023) in order to escape […]
Introduction to US Relations with Panama
Source: GIS Geography Panama was the first Spanish colony on the Pacific and is home to indigenous groups including the GuaymÃ, Kuna, and Chocó. The country is historically known for the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most used passages that cut down travel time between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In 1903 […]
The West Sanctions Russian Energy
West Sanctions Russia to Deter Aggression Against Ukraine The United States and its allies imposed sanctions on Russia when the country annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The US believed annexation threatened to reverse post-Cold War borders in Europe and endangered security, the rule of law, and human rights in Europe and beyond. However, the […]