Author: Tufts Hemispheres

International Security, Middle East

Beyond the Ceasefire: Haviv Rettig Gur on the Future of the Middle East

By Eitan Cohen and Eva Zeltser On February 5, 2026, the Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education (CEVIHE), a newly launched initiative at Tufts University that aims to cultivate ideological diversity in higher education, welcomed Haviv Rettig Gur to its Medford campus for a conversation on contemporary Israel-Palestine dynamics. A veteran Israeli journalist, Haviv Rettig Gur is a senior analyst at The Times of … Continue reading Beyond the Ceasefire: Haviv Rettig Gur on the Future of the Middle East

Unknown's avatarTufts Hemispheres
International Security, Magazine, Middle East

Militarism & Diplomacy: The Limits of U.S. Influence in the Middle East

By Dawson Chang and Sarina Khani On June 13, 2025, Israel launched over 100 drone strikes onto Iranian territory, targeting key nuclear facilities, nuclear scientists, and military leaders. The attack diverged from American interests: U.S. and Iranian officials had planned to discuss a deal that would have scaled down Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for U.S. removal of sanctions on Iran. However, due to Israel’s … Continue reading Militarism & Diplomacy: The Limits of U.S. Influence in the Middle East

Unknown's avatarTufts Hemispheres
International Security, Magazine, Middle East

Border Conflicts in the Middle East During the Last Year

By Eitan Cohen Borders around the Middle East have become focal points of power struggles and bloodshed over the past year. While none of these borders have been officially moved or altered, the way they operate has changed. Border zones around the Middle East are being used to fight proxy wars, project force, and prevent dangers before they reach their citizens. The result of these … Continue reading Border Conflicts in the Middle East During the Last Year

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Comparative Politics, Magazine

Trumplash

By Kieran Doody Halle, Germany – January 25, 2025: In a breezy banquet hall, thousands of people are bathed in overwhelming blue spotlights as German flags jut out from a sea of black silhouettes. On stage, drowned out by the crowd’s roaring cheers, Alice Weidel, the provocative yet charismatic leader of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), points to a large screen. Resplendent in her signature … Continue reading Trumplash

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Asia/Pacific, Comparative Politics, East Asia

Hard and Soft Power in the Koreas

By Lauren Cousino and Amy Zhao When people think of North and South Korea, they often focus on their stark differences. What began as a temporary division after Japan’s 1945 surrender solidified into a permanent split following the Korean War. This conflict gave rise to two divergent nations: North Korea projects power through its nuclear arsenal and military posturing, while South Korea exerts influence through … Continue reading Hard and Soft Power in the Koreas

Unknown's avatarTufts Hemispheres
Asia/Pacific, Comparative Politics, Magazine

From Screens to Streets: How Nepalese and Thai Youth Combat Corruption

By Jessie Levine and Thuptim Appleton The Thai government has long grappled with issues of corruption. Increasingly, Gen-Z has been utilizing social media to scrutinize government misconduct, particularly the ever-present corruption. Since its popularization in Thailand, social media has played a key role in politics, but this year, it sparked a new nationalist facet.  To further understand this dynamic, it is necessary to outline Thailand’s … Continue reading From Screens to Streets: How Nepalese and Thai Youth Combat Corruption

Unknown's avatarTufts Hemispheres
Comparative Politics, Magazine

Beyond MAGA: A Global Surge of Anti-Immigration Politics

By Owen Zanni  Donald Trump’s resurgence in the 2024 U.S. presidential election represents more than an isolated political phenomenon; it reflects a broader global trend of xenophobic nationalism redefining immigration policy across continents. Immigration was a key issue during the 2024 U.S. election, with data from the Pew Research Center showing that61 percent of American voters believed that immigration was “very important in their vote.” … Continue reading Beyond MAGA: A Global Surge of Anti-Immigration Politics

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Comparative Politics, Europe, Magazine

Convergence or Divergence in The Caucus: A Comparative Analysis

By Lauren Higuchi The three states of the Southern Caucasus—Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia—have been under Russia’s control since the 1800s. Now, nearly four decades after gaining independence, a crucial question emerges: are the Caucasus nations finally beginning to break away from Moscow’s sphere of influence? Armenia’s faith in Russia began to wane in the wake of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war with Azerbaijan, where Armenians felt … Continue reading Convergence or Divergence in The Caucus: A Comparative Analysis

Unknown's avatarTufts Hemispheres
Comparative Politics, International Security, Magazine

War for the Skies

By Jack Srihari and Nadsen Chavannes In the last five years, drones have become a ubiquitous weapon on battlefields across the world, from the jungles of Myanmar to the dunes of the Sahara Desert to the plains of Ukraine. However, the majority of these weapons originate from a small group of countries, most notably Iran, Turkey, the United States, Russia, China, and Ukraine. They have … Continue reading War for the Skies

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