Big Picture Since the beginning of their diplomatic connections, the United States and Sudan’s relationship has been rocky. Sudan’s internal displacement and ethnic tensions have further strained the ties between the two nations. A long history of violence and conflict set the stage for current tensions in Sudan and its neighboring countries. In 1989, Brigadier General Omar al-Bashir came to power after leading a coup against the democratically elected government. Al-Bashir’s regime was marked by internal unrest, the most notable of which was the War in Darfur. Graphic: USAID Presently, two military forces—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid…

“It is irrational to vote.” This phrase, uttered by my economics professor, caused a stir in the previously sleepy classroom. It certainly piqued my interest, and I listened in carefully as he explained. In economics, the theory of rational abstention asserts that your individual vote only matters when there is a perfect tie when your vote would be the tiebreaker. Because the possibility of your vote being the tiebreaker is so statistically unlikely, it is simply not worth the time and effort to vote. However, for many of us, it is rational to vote because we don’t strictly adhere to the “rules”…

One of many internet sensations surrounding former President Donald Trump was his eccentric pronunciation of “China” as “Jina.” Trump has mentioned China so many times that the Internet circled compilation videos of him saying “Jina.” He certainly got America talking about “Jina,” even though he was adamant that the pivot to Asia, starting during the Obama administration, was a bad strategy that he would not follow. In reality, Trump adhered to many of his predecessor’s policies, though Trump’s “pivot” lacked a consistent long-term plan, as his Asia policies sometimes clashed with his “America first” rhetoric.  One thing Trump’s administration did do,…

We are in the midst of one of the most unprecedented election years in American politics. Whether the Republicans or the Democrats prevail, history will be made either by the first president to be convicted of a felony or by the first Asian-American and Black female president. Needless to say, much is at stake in this election, and not just for the United States. The relative decline of American power, and thus the increasingly multipolar world order, makes our election ripe for interference. Foreign incentives to meddle in democracy, combined with emerging technology like artificial intelligence, increase the likelihood of…

As the November election approaches rapidly, America waits with bated breath. Many are worried, but I don’t think pessimism is a productive lens from which to view the leaders who govern us. I want to see more discussion about what legislators can do in the next presidential cycle, regardless of who wins, instead of childish attacks ad hominem. As a member of Generation Z, the youngest voting demographic, I will have more time to witness the impact of change-making policies than geriatric politicians, as does the average American, who is almost 39 years old. In general, people are more likely to…

Mario Tama | Credit: Getty Images After not having internet access for 24 hours, I was bombarded with news articles and messages from friends about none other than our sitting president, Joe Biden, stepping down from his run for a second presidential term. I can’t say I was surprised. This news didn’t just fall out of a coconut tree, it exists in the context of the world around us and what came before. Of course, the context I’m referring to is Biden’s dementia allegations, his dastardly debate against former President Donald Trump, his COVID-19 affliction and his accusations by numerous members of his…

Imagine a Congress where compromise isn’t a dirty word, where lawmakers from both sides of the aisle come together to craft solutions that benefit all Americans. This isn’t a fantasy, it’s the promise of bipartisanship. This principle, if engaged, could bridge the divides in our nation and pave the way for lasting progress. Bipartisanship is simply the cooperation, agreement and compromise between two major political parties. It helps to avoid extremes and imbalances in government. In the United States, especially with the looming election, bipartisanship seems an unlikely concept to many Americans. Few are immune to the supposed binary of…

You might’ve noticed smaller Gatorade bottles, fewer trash bags per package or less chips in your Doritos bag. You’re not imagining it, Gatorade did change its 32-ounce bottle to a 28-ounce one—while keeping the height of the bottle the same—under the guise that “it’s easier to grab.” And Hefty’s mega pack of trash bags decreased from 90 to 80 bags. Similarly, Frito-Lay’s Doritos bags went from 9.75 ounces to 9.25 ounces. However, despite the shrinking sizes, the prices of these products have remained the same. These are just a few examples of what economists have deemed “shrinkflation.” What is “Shrinkflation?” …

Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, became Internet infamous for her stock trading, which has massively increased her net worth. Many suspect that Rep. Pelosi shared confidential information with her husband, who is a venture capitalist. There are even social media accounts dedicated to reporting her trades because they are so suspiciously successful. Rep. Pelosi seems to be almost openly engaged in insider trading, which highlights a larger pattern of corruption, conflicting interests and public distrust in the government. Stocks, also called equities, are bought in “shares” that represent partial ownership of a company. Investors…

Although many people do not think of climate change as a national security threat, it most certainly is and should be treated as such. As policymakers attempt to grapple with the consequences of our warming planet, they must address the climate change that multiplies the stresses on our environment. Direct Threats to National Security  Extreme weather causes concerns for the U.S. military, like damaging infrastructure, making outdoor training and military exercises difficult and disrupting military supply chains. One example of extreme weather damaging military infrastructure was in 2013 when a climate change-induced flash flood swept through Fort Irwin, located in…