Abbey Speaker Series: The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Before the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Middle East had fallen into a state of relative equilibrium between Israel and its neighbors. Many Arab states in the region, including Saudi Arabia, had become considerably more open to diplomatic relationships with Israel in the preceding years, according to Professor Spinner-Halev. The October 7 attack and Israel’s brutal response, however, have caused rippling effects from within the country to the surrounding region and, ultimately, the world.

Global, FellowsCatherine WilesMarch 30, 2024Fellows Article, Global, local, UNC Chapel Hill Panel, Palestine-Israel ConflictComment

UNC Diplomacy Initiative Hosts Discussion on Environmental Diplomacy

All in all, the talk showed how environmental diplomacy was not just a theoretical construct but an active practice, particularly in Indonesia.

Brazil and Ecuador: A Necessary Partnership, Navigating the Future of Violence

Ecuador’s unprecedented violence has not gone unnoticed by other Latin American countries, in which crime is a continued problem at the forefront of legal regulations. In response, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva has taken a collaborative and united approach.

Turkey Ratifies Sweden’s NATO Bid

The extended process of Sweden’s NATO accession, still incomplete, is an important reminder of the complexity of modern international politics. A move by Sweden to join a defensive alliance due to concerns stemming from Russian actions in Ukraine is delayed due to a dispute about security and human rights with Turkey.

GlobalSteven HeineFebruary 28, 2024Global, Global Content, Global News, global, Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian War, Russia, NATO, EU, Europe, TurkeyComment

Brussels Sprouts Podcast: UNC, King’s College Professors Discuss the War in Ukraine and Russia’s Upcoming Election

The result of Russia’s election is all but certain. Unfortunately, it will not serve as a reprieve for Ukraine. However, it may serve as the beginning of a long-awaited shift in Russian politics: a post-Putin era.

Editor's Picks, Fellows, GlobalCatherine WilesFebruary 27, 2024Editor's Pick, Fellows, Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian WarComment

Does The Celebration Of "Firsts" Really Promote Diversity and Inclusion?

While “firsts'' can bring positive visibility to a marginalized group, what happens afterward? When will the “seconds,” “thirds,” and “fourths” occur?

Editor's Picks, OpinionKrista Savage-WhiteFebruary 22, 2024Editor's Pick, Opinion, Opinion Pick, Opinion PieceComment

Unaffiliated Voters are now the Largest Political “Party” in North Carolina. What Does This Mean for 2024?

Unaffiliated voters are now the largest voting block in North Carolina, with Democratic voter share beginning to shrink. But what does this mean for the upcoming 2024 election?

Fellows, LocalCatherine WilesFebruary 21, 2024Fellows Article, North Carolina, North Carolina Politics Comment

Chapel Hill Town Council: Israel and Hamas, Bus Rapid Transit, Parties in Northside

A plurality of the attendees in the town council meeting were principally there to express views on the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordFebruary 13, 2024Israel, Israel-Hamas War, Chapel HillComment

President Biden Aims to Bridge the Digital Divide in North Carolina

North Carolina is a presidential battleground, going red in every election since 1980—except for 2008 when Barack Obama won the state. President Joe Biden believes he can win over states like North Carolina as the 2024 presidential election approaches.

NationalTaylor HolbrooksFebruary 13, 2024Biden, Joe Biden, National News, North CarolinaComment

The Lumbee Tribe’s Rightward Shift

While it is unclear whether Robeson County will remain conservative for the foreseeable future, given the Republican Party’s embrace of former President Trump and their committed investment in Robeson, it seems Republicans can count on winning Robeson in the next election.

How Might Federal Net Neutrality Regulations Affect Economic Inequality?

Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat access to all sites equally, regardless of content. While restoring net neutrality is well-intentioned, doing so could make internet access more expensive for consumers and cause investments into broadband to drop. These factors could make it harder to obtain Internet access, increasing economic inequality and unfairness.

Editor's Picks, NationalCyril RikhFebruary 9, 2024Tech, Economy, Inequality, National, National News, Editor's PickComment

“Day of the Forest Defender:” Communities Gather to Remember Tortuguita, One Year Later

Dubbed “Day of the Forest Defender,” community and political groups in 30+ U.S. cities and beyond gathered to memorialize Tortuguita in a number of ways. Some took on a politically activist approach, taking the opportunity to discuss community organizing and how to get involved in the movement. Others hosted artistic events, vigils, and communal meals, all with a common theme: “bring what you can.”

Fellows, NationalCatherine WilesFebruary 4, 2024Fellows Article, Fellows, tortugita, Environmental PoliticsComment

Addressing the Geopolitical Dynamics of the Israel-Hamas War

“If, however, with strong leadership and moral clarity, the United States, Israel, and its potential allies can establish an international coalition committed to the enfranchisement of Palestinians and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, then perhaps the status quo that has prevailed for decades may slowly begin to change.”

Israeli Army Targets Journalists in Siege of Gaza

Long touted as “the only democracy in the Middle East,” Israel has consistently shown an incredible contempt for the freedom of the press in its own territory and the occupied Gaza Strip. After two decades of killing journalists with complete impunity, it is no surprise that violence against press workers has continued and intensified during its siege on Gaza.

The Supreme Court Code of Conduct: A New Rulebook for Those Who Decide the Rules

As announced by the Supreme Court, the code, known as the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, contains nine pages of written legal code and five additional pages of commentary. Within the code, five canons of conduct outline rules for ethical issues such as when justices should recuse themselves from cases.

Editor's Picks, NationalAliza JankowskyJanuary 9, 2024Editor's Pick, National, US Supreme Court, Political Donations, Political EthicsComment

Ballot Measures are a Critical Tool for Pro-Choice Activism–So Republican Legislatures are Attempting to Restrict the Practice

Abortion appears to be a losing issue for Republicans, even in states like Ohio and Kentucky. Their response? Change the rules of the game, not their policy goals.

OpinionCatherine WilesDecember 16, 2023Abortion Rights, Abortion, Roe v. Wade, National News, National new, National, National Media, US, US PoliticsComment

Will the CROWN Act Do Enough to Protect Black Hairstyles?

“In predominately-White spaces, my hair reminds me that I am unambiguously Black. But I am worried about losing this element of Blackness one day due to the penalization of Black hairstyles.”

Editorials, OpinionKrista Savage-WhiteDecember 13, 2023black culture, CROWN Act, texturism, OpinionComment

It’s Campaign Season in Indonesia

Two terms and it is done for Indonesia’s current president, Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, despite some aborted machinations to change the law to give him a third term. The three candidates in the running are Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto.

Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Charges Against Officials Implicated in the Flint Water Crisis

In a unanimous decision in 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court found that a one-man grand jury cannot be used to criminally indict a defendant. Now, the charges cannot proceed for the time being.

How North Carolina’s New Budget Might Accidentally Break the State Retirement Plan

North Carolina’s budget for the next two fiscal years, H.B. 259 makes changes to UNC Health and ECU Health policies which received little reporting at the time of the bill’s passage but have since caused a legal crisis at the State Treasury and strong allegations of fiduciary misconduct.

Editor's Picks, LocalBobby PetersNovember 30, 2023local, Local Politics, State Budget, Health Care, UNC, Editor's PickComment