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 […]
Introduction to the CHIPS and Science Act
The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 invests $52.7 billion to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor research, domestic manufacturing, and workforce development. The U.S. currently produces 10% of semiconductors globally, with the Asia-Pacific region producing 75%. Semiconductors form the foundation of every advanced technology, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing. Many view semiconductor production as […]
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 […]
Introduction to Corporate Average Fuel (CAFE) Standards
Overview of CAFE Standards Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are government-set standards regulating how far vehicles should be able to travel on a gallon of fuel. The three different classifications of vehicles, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty, have different CAFE standards. Higher standards mean vehicles should be able to travel further on a single gallon […]
Ukraine and the Changing Transatlantic Security Order
The Shadow of War Returns to Europe The post-Cold War security environment in Europe was characterized by the diminishing influence of Russia, which saw its former Warsaw Pact allies gradually integrated into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Russia under President Vladimir Putin considered this expansion detrimental to its security […]
Introduction to the Child Tax Credit
Introduction The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax benefit granted by the government to American taxpayers for each qualifying dependent child under the age of 18 at the end of the tax year. The CTC provides money to support American families by making it more affordable to raise children and by helping them save […]
Introduction to U.S.─France Relations
Introduction France is a founding member of NATO, the European Union, and holds permanent membership and veto power on the UN Security Council. France has influence in all three of these organizations, as well as an extensive military, with the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal. It maintains a strong diplomatic presence across the globe and […]
California Senate Bill 10: Ending Cash Bail
What is Cash Bail? When a person is arrested, cash bail is the amount of money arrestees must pay in order to leave custody before their trial. Bail is used as collateral to incentivize arrestees to attend their trial, and this amount of money is assigned by a judge. When assigning bail, judges take into […]
Healthcare Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act
Introduction In resuscitating the previously stalled Build Back Better Act, the Senate Democratic Caucus has reached a reconciliation passage consisting of investments in climate/energy, IRS enforcement, deficit reduction, and healthcare in the 725-page Inflation Reduction (IRA). While the $300 billion is far from the original agenda that President Joe Biden had envisioned when Democrats regained […]
Introduction to US-Serbian Relations
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica Serbia, a country of over ten million people with a unique cultural background and ties to two different global powers, is a key player in US foreign policy. Serbia is a country that has existed as the battleground between Europe and Asia. Serbia was part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, and […]