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US Politics


Why Iran? Examining the Shifting Narratives of U.S. Intervention"
Preventing nuclear weapons. Destroying missile capabilities. Projecting power in the Hormuz Strait. Cutting off the support of terrorist groups. The GOP famously hailed the Trump-Vance candidacy as the “peace ticket” – today, Iran becomes the eighth country where the president has ordered military strikes since January 20th of 2025. The Trump administration has offered many shifting justifications for its new war in Iran: which is it? Fluctuating Justifications for War Since
Nyk Klymenko
Mar 203 min read


Outrage Pays: How Moral Panic is Monetized
“If it bleeds, it leads” is a long-standing journalistic adage that describes how stories about violence, conflict, or tragedy often dominate news coverage. Bleeding stories lead because they capitalize on the audience's natural curiosity toward danger and conflict. Moral panic takes it a step further. Stanley Cohen developed the term moral panic, defining it as an event or person that becomes defined as a threat to societal values and interests. Outrage isn’t just a byproduc
Austin Packham
Mar 182 min read


Ali Khamenei: Downfall of an Iranian Supreme Leader.
On February 28th, The Cleric and former Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Hosseini Khamenei was assassinated from Tehran as a part of Israeli airstrikes aimed for the high ranking official of Iranian. Ali Khamenei has been in power since 1981, he previously served as a third president from 1981 to 1989. He declared tenure leadership since then. He served as Head of State, for a total of 36 years and six months. This made him the longest-serving leader in the Middle East. He was wide
Simai Kang
Mar 162 min read


Kamala Harris and the Long Arc of Women’s Power
Every generation produces women who reshape the political imagination of their time. Some do so loudly, through sweeping legislation or defining speeches. Others do so simply by occupying spaces that once excluded them. Vice President Kamala Harris represents both. Her presence in American political life reflects not only an individual career, but a broader story about women, power, and the unfinished work of democratic inclusion. During Women’s History Month, conversations
Triston Grant
Mar 133 min read


America’s Political Crossroads: Domestic and International Challenges in 2026
In 2026, the United States finds itself navigating complex domestic and international pressures that are shaping its political landscape and global leadership role. Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has thrust American foreign policy into the spotlight. Allied military cooperation in strikes against Iran and the widening regional war have stirred debate across the political spectrum. Administration leaders have defended these actions as nec
Triston Grant
Mar 111 min read


We Need Saving From the SAVE Act
Americans are rightfully concerned about the potential passage of the SAVE Act. Their concern is reasonable; American voting rights are deeply in danger. More specifically, it is the low-income, rural, naturalized, and married U.S. citizens – women in particular – who are in danger of disenfranchisement. The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Proponents of the SAVE Act make it sound harmless: after all, we have to make sure voters are elig
Nyk Klymenko
Mar 103 min read


The Case for a Pluralist American News Media
In an era of intense partisanship and plunging public trust, America's news media faces a crisis, not only from bias or misinformation, but also from who owns and controls the flow of information. This ownership crisis threatens democracy itself: a strong republic depends on informed citizens, who in turn rely on trustworthy news. The American news media have long been dominated by private conglomerates that control much of the broadcast, print, and digital media. While compl
Austin Packham
Mar 93 min read


Energy Under Fire: The Economic Ripples of the Middle East Conflict on Global Markets
As the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalates, its effects are being felt not just on the battlefield but in boardrooms, oil markets, and national capitals around the world. Analysts say this crisis has the potential to disrupt global energy commodities and shift long-term economic trends. Strait of Hormuz: A Chokepoint Under Siege The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime passages, funneling about 20 percent of global sea
Triston Grant
Mar 52 min read


Borders as Business Models
Most people regularly engaged in politics have at least heard of the military-industrial complex (MIC). Coined by former President Eisenhower, the MIC describes the informal relationships among a country's military, defense contractors, and political leaders that work together to sustain high levels of military spending through government policies. Homeland defense operates on an eerily similar model. While often discussed from political or moral perspectives, this article wi
Austin Packham
Mar 23 min read


Tariffs Down, Trump Up and Shaken
In a remarkable display of bipartisanship and strict interpretation of the Constitution in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump , SCOTUS struck down nearly all of Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign countries. The Supreme Court found that the power to collect taxes, duties, etc., lies explicitly in the legislative branch, whose approval is required for Trump’s tariffs. The administration argued that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) granted it the authority t
Nyk Klymenko
Feb 232 min read


Two Elections, Two Different Definitions of Democracy.
February 22 sits at the intersection of two distinct election stories that illuminate a broader truth about democracy. On February 18, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission held a public hearing focused on election audit standards. Officials and experts discussed how structured, transparent audits can strengthen public trust in American elections. Audits are technical exercises. They verify counts, examine procedures, and assess compliance. But they are also symbolic. In a
Triston Grant
Feb 222 min read


Democrats Can Win If They Keep the Students
The last two weeks in the United States have seen nationwide protests against ICE, Donald Trump, and the actions of the DOJ within the last year. In those two weeks, students took to the streets in droves, participating in school walkouts, chanting, and claiming intersections and/or sidewalks in massive crowds. Although some in more organized manners than others, students have provided the bulk and blade of anti-ICE attention & action as of late. Local partisan groups have th
Nyk Klymenko
Feb 163 min read


Key Articles on US Political Dynamics
Understanding the complex world of US politics can feel overwhelming. The landscape shifts quickly, and the stakes are high. I’ve spent time diving into key articles that shed light on the forces shaping American political life today. These pieces offer clarity, context, and insight. They help us see beyond the headlines and understand the deeper currents at play. Exploring Key Articles on US Politics When I read through various analyses, I notice patterns. Some articles focu
Triston Grant
Feb 123 min read


Judicial Activism: Our Last Pillar of Democracy.
On December 31st of 2025, justice prevailed in the San Francisco Federal District Court. That was the day Judge Breyer officially rejected this administration’s justification for their use of the National Guard, which some have described as an “intimidation” of LA residents. The administration argued that exigency for the federalization of the National Guard is only needed in the initiation of the process. Their argument implies that, once federalized, the National Guard is a
Nyk Klymenko
Feb 113 min read


When First Amendment Freedoms Collide: Don Lemon, a Church Protest, and the Precedent That Could Upend Journalism
It was a typical Sunday morning at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Warm greetings, handshakes, and friendly banter filled the room. Outside, however, tension was brewing. A group of protesters gathered, intent on making their voices heard. As the service began, protesters marched into the building and disrupted it with loud chants. Their slogans echoed off the church walls and drowned out all other noise. "Justice for Renee Good,” "ICE out,” and "Hands up, don’t shoot"
Austin Packham
Feb 93 min read


Neglect vs Distance: Voters and the Two-Party System
The general public of the United States is constantly plagued by gloom and the feeling of inevitability. Upon encountering polarization or feeling unrepresented, voters rush to blame the parties and their domination of the US’s politics. The average high school graduate will tell you that the two-party system is flawed; they would be correct. The system’s flaws, however, don’t always stem from itself. Frequently, it is the voters who, with their neglect of civic participation
Nyk Klymenko
Feb 42 min read


Exploring Popular US Politics Topics: A Reflective Journey
Politics in the United States is a vast, ever-changing landscape. It shapes our laws, our rights, and our daily lives. I find myself drawn to the currents of change, the debates, and the stories that define this moment. Today, I want to take you on a journey through some of the most popular US politics topics. Together, we will explore what they mean, why they matter, and how they might shape our future. Understanding Popular US Politics Topics Today When we talk about popula
Triston Grant
Jan 294 min read


When Federal Power Goes Unchecked, Civil Liberties Become Collateral.
The killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents is not only a tragedy. It is a warning. Pretti was not a fugitive, not the target of an immigration warrant, and not engaged in violent wrongdoing. By all public accounts, he was a civilian who encountered a federal enforcement operation and did not survive that encounter. The precise details remain under investigation, but the broader implications are already clear: when federal law enforcement operates with expansive
Triston Grant
Jan 282 min read


Alex Pretti Killed During Federal Immigration Enforcement Operation in Minneapolis.
Over the weekend in Minneapolis, federal immigration agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti , an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, during a large immigration enforcement operation that has drawn intense local and national scrutiny. According to federal authorities, a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired on Pretti during a confrontation early Saturday morning. The Department of Homeland Security has claimed that Pretti was armed
Triston Grant
Jan 273 min read


Proud and Alone: America's Drift in Foreign Policy (US Politics)
Only a year ago, the United States boasted a prospering, growing alliance, unmatched credibility on the world stage, and numerous trade agreements & partners. Only a year ago, being American would not have been met with immediate wariness or hostility in Greenland or Canada. Only a year ago, the United States was the force that countries and people in need alike appealed to for protection against oppression and violence. Now, the US has utilized violence to force the hand of
Nyk Klymenko
Jan 263 min read
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