Politics and Government

Resistance to the military coup in Myanmar continues to grow, and social media images now show a military force training to defend the shadow civilian government. Mary Callahan, associate professor of international studies at the UW, is interviewed.

"Some ask whether climate policy has reached a 'social tipping point,' a self-reinforcing contagion process that will decarbonize the economy. Tipping points can be activated by interventions such as divesting from fossil fuel assets or exposing the moral failings of a fossil fuel economy, both of which are reflected in the recent developments in Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

Mark Ward, lecturer in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, discusses peace in Afghanistan.

A proposal by the European Union would match U.S. and China bans on elephant poaching. But given recent record seizures, it may be too late for elephants. Sam Wasser, research professor of biology at the UW and director of the Center for Conservation Biology, is quoted.

When North Carolina raised the age when people are considered an adult in the criminal justice system to 18, the change was more than a dozen years in the making. Now, advocates are setting their sights – and their desired age limit – higher. Chelsea Moore, a doctoral student in political science and a law student at the UW, is referenced.

More than 800 civilians in Myanmar have been killed by security forces since the February coup. Members of the U.N. Security Council were told Myanmar stands at the brink of state failure. Mary Callahan, associate professor of international studies at the UW, is interviewed.

At least 15 states are trying to ban schools from teaching critical race theory and the 1619 Project. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Christopher Sebastian Parker, professor of political science, discusses what sparked the summer of social unrest.

Scott Radnitz, associate professor in the Jackson School of International Studies, discusses his new book, “Revealing Schemes: The Politics of Conspiracy in Russia and the Post-Soviet Region."

Seattle was the first city in the country to pass laws mandating premium pay and sick days for delivery-app drivers during the pandemic. But the current laws are set to expire after the pandemic ends, so Seattle leaders may soon consider making those protections permanent. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

In 2019, federal agents took Carlos Rivera away in handcuffs when he strayed across the U.S.-Canada border, even though he says they could see his 7-year-old son waiting for him with a friend on the Canadian side. The UW's Angelina Godoy, professor of law, societies and justice and of international studies, and director of the UW Center for Human Rights, is quoted.

A bill state lawmakers passed this month directs UW and Eastern Washington University to search for racial covenants in home deeds and notify property owners when their homes are affected. James Gregory, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Fighters in Burkina Faso are putting their faith in traditional spiritual practices to protect them as attacks linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State ravage the West African nation, killing thousands and displacing more than 1 million people. Daniel Hoffman, professor of international studies at the UW, is quoted.

Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science, is quoted in this article discussing whether the Democratic party should focus on race or class when trying to build support.

"Biden’s credibility [on climate] with the international audience depends on whether he can show a domestic policy pathway to the promised 50% reduction. Moreover, he needs to make sure that the climate targets do not get tied to other issues that might invite strong domestic opposition," write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.