News

Ben Johnson- Greece and Turkey engage in a series of surprising peace talks.

Carilyn Pointer – Russian and Belarusian athletes will now be able to participate in the summer Olympics in Paris under the strict conditions to not affiliate with their nation and national identity.

Anna Johnson - Tens of thousands of Irish people have marched in rallies for Palestinian freedom. Their support for Palestine is rooted in a shared history with colonial powers and decades-long conflicts.

Jonah Carlson - U.S. Senators thinking about sickness cases question the connectivity of their own country and China.

Hailey Brown – Two Chinese warships are the first boats to dock at a new pier in Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, reigniting concern over China’s sea power projection.

Jacob Sagers – Russia’s recent public ban of homosexuality reinforces the backslide of the gay rights movement since the invasion of Ukraine, while in Ukraine the movement has gained substantial ground.

Ben Johnson- Multiple airlines have pledged to use ethanol instead of traditional jet fuel to reduce emissions. Critics warn of unintended consequences.

Jonah Carlson - A crackdown on LGBTQ+ activism, wrought by Russia’s Supreme Court, may affect how Russians interact with their nation.

Carilyn Pointer – Rohingya refugees are adrift at sea, while the UN calls for help from neighboring countries.

Anna Johnson - Giant pandas are a symbol of Chinese culture and national identity. For decades the Chinese government’s “panda diplomacy” has represented a positive relationship with the United States. Now, China wants their pandas back.

Carilyn Pointer – Hostages in Israel were exchanged amidst a temporary truce, exemplifying the relationship of power between Israel and Hamas.

Hailey Brown – In Juab County, Ionic Mineral Technologies mines halloysite deposits that could be the key to shifting battery production networks in the United States favor.

Ben Johnson- Russian women are increasingly calling for a change in the length of conscription.

Ben Johnson- Ukraine’s successful repulsion of Russia’s navy raises questions about the future of material power.

Jacob Sagers – Giorgia Meloni’s breakup with her partner due to a leaked video showing him sexually harassing his female colleagues highlights a broader problem in Italian society.

Jonah Carlson - A renewed deportation policy is changing the demographics of border crossings into the U.S.

Carilyn Pointer – Catholic nuns use force against climate activists showing the role place has in the conflict.

Hailey Brown – An archive of Xi’s speeches to the Chinese military “reveal” long term skepticism of China’s relationship with the U.S.

Jacob Sagers – Centuries old, rigid French cheese-making rules pose a problem for future production of its cherished product amid rising temperatures.

Anna Johnson - While you may build your identity around a political affilciation, a particular state or even a sports team, the Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest build their identity around the forest they live in.

Hailey Brown - Hackers increased the scale of attacks this month, as geopolitical calculations factor in increasing conflict throughout the Middle East.

Carilyn Pointer – Funding from the energy department aims to upgrade America’s electric grid, but there are constraints hindering the change to a renewable network.

Ben Johnson- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s stay in Washington culminated in a lavish state dinner and a promise of nuclear-powered submarines.

Hailey Brown - Food insecurity in Western and Central African countries has grown with the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Jonah Carlson – A rising centrist government could significantly readjust Poland’s geopolitical code regarding its neighbors, both east and west.

Jacob Sagers – The recent conflict in Gaza can partly be traced from issues of territory and boundaries stemming from the British Palestine Mandate.

Carilyn Pointer – Following the Israeli invasion, people in Israel are suffering from the effects of a large-scale conflict.

Anna Johnson - While every FIFA World Cup brings together teams from across the globe, the newly announced host states of the 2030 World Cup will add a new element of global scale.

Jacob Sagers – New York City’s removal of its Right-to-Shelter mandate presents challenges for migrants and highlights a broader issue of American immigration policy.

Hailey Brown - A target for capture by Putin and a formerly bustling port city, Odesa has become a different place because of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Ben Johnson- The Federal Trade Commission and 17 states sue Amazon, highlighting growing concerns over antitrust laws.

Carilyn Pointer – Boundary tensions rise in the South China Sea after the Philippine Coast Guard cut down barriers around the Scarborough Shoal.

Jonah Carlson - Declining morale and ideological power in both Ukraine and the West could threaten future military investments.

Anna Johnson - By ignoring the threat of malaria the United States and other wealthy states may be setting the world up for another global disease pandemic.

Jacob Sagers – The Finnish president’s recent comments regarding Russia and Ukraine showcases its evolving geopolitical code: with uncertainty as its architect.

Ben Johnson- The Dominican Republic’s move to close its border with Haiti raises questions about boundaries and territory.

Carilyn Pointer – China used A.I. to spread propaganda about the wildfires in Maui, indicating a shift in geopolitical strategies.

Jacob Sagers – Libya’s tragedy that has killed tens of thousands offers glimpses of hope as boundaries play a new role.

Anna Johnson - A part of its laïcité principle of secularism, France banned another piece of Muslim religious clothing. For some, bans like these strengthen French national identity, but fuel tensions with Muslim-majority states.

Jonah Carlson – A claim from Pyongyang has turned heads in the Western world.

Hailey Brown - Waterleaf applied for a license to use 73 billion gallons of water from the Great Salt Lake each year to harvest lithium.

Ben Johnson- Russia’s rewritten history textbooks offer a window into Russian propaganda.

Jacob Sagers – BRICS expansion announcements came with some surprises and serve as a challenge to Western hegemony.

Hailey Brown - Just two months after Prigozhin led the Wagner Group on a march toward Moscow, he died in a plane crash. Most suspect the Kremlin is responsible.

Carilyn Pointer – The international trade network is disrupted by climate change as water levels decrease.

Carilyn Pointer – Ukraine geopolitical code changes as they take a more offensive stance against the Russian invasion.

Anna Johnson - The first space race pitted the U.S. and Russia against each other. This summer, India and Russia have been quietly reigniting that battle in a fight for international relevance and power.

Hailey Brown - The path to alternative energy sources is hindered by ongoing geopolitical power struggles.

Jacob Sagers – Ultra-Orthodox members of Netanyahu’s government are pressing for sex-segregation in public and expanding the power of religious courts, threatening secular values.

Jonah Carlson – The recent killings of multiple Ecuadorian politicians raise questions about the influence of non-state actors in the region.

Jonah Carlson – As tensions around Taiwan continue to rise, we’re encouraged to reflect on the island’s complex identity.

Carilyn Pointer – The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel grows warmer amid U.S. encouragement, as power relations come into play.

Jonah Carlson – Recent visits by the North Korean leader to weapons factories aim to demonstrate his ideological power.

Jonah Carlson – Modi’s position as the guest of honor at Paris’ Bastille Day parade helps reveal Macron’s geopolitical interests.

Jacob Sagers – Niger was the West’s last reliable ally in the Sahel, but a coup threatens Western presence in the region.

Jonah Carlson - As more Ukrainian strikes extend beyond their land territory, some reflect on whether Ukraine’s material power could allow the conflict to expand.

Hailey Brown - Record low fertility rates in South Korea have led cities to hold blind-dating events to prevent significant population decline.

Jonah Carlson – Erdogan’s post-reelection shift demonstrates Turkey’s allegiance to a long-established geopolitical code.

Anna Johnson - Turkey has been making moves to reinforce its alignment with the West by returning Ukrainian prisoners and vocally supporting Sweden’s bid to join NATO. These moves jeopardize a key negotiating relationship with Russia.

Anna Johnson - Every stadium at the Women’s World Cup has two names - one English and one Indigenous. By using both names on signage and in broadcasts, New Zealand and Australia are emphasizing the importance of Indigenous identity and solidifying its pla...

Jacob Sagers – The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has served as the country’s cornerstone for years, but new issues threaten its existence.

Hailey Brown - An Egyptian activist was arrested and convicted for spreading misinformation. It’s not the first time.

Hailey Brown - Tijuana receives 90% of its freshwater supply from the Colorado River. But with its supply dwindling, locals must work harder to acquire needed water.

Carilyn Pointer – Gerrymandering in Utah brings to light the concept of territory and has people questioning if the political boundaries are truly partisan.

Jacob Sagers - Hollywood’s largest actor union voted to go on strike this week, highlighting changes and challenges to the future of what was once American culture’s hallmark.

Carilyn Pointer – Palestinian youth are fighting against the Israeli-occupation of the West Bank, even if it means leaving behind only a message for their families.

Anna Johnson - It may come as a surprise that the “Barbie” movie has the power to stoke tensions between China and its neighbors along the South China Sea, but the movie’s use of a map alluding to the “nine-dash line” highlights territorial disputes betwe...

Jacob Sagers - Skyrocketing tuna prices are representative of complex economic and food network issues.

Hailey Brown - Taiwan continues to be a flashpoint for the ongoing geopolitical power struggle between the United States and China

Anna Johnson - Instead of interacting with traditional media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses his radio show to share his message with the Indian people.

Carilyn Pointer- The sinking of the Titan submersible and the capsizing of a boat full of refugees has sparked conversations regarding the inequality of rescue efforts.

Jacob Sagers - Diminishing American public support for involvement in Ukraine comes amid broader cultural changes

Jonah Carlson – The recent loss of a migrant vessel in the Mediterranean Sea has raised questions about boundary controls and human rights.

Hailey Brown - Recent mutiny in Russia has led to questions about President Putin’s control over Russia and the war.

Carilyn Pointer – In the face of an economic crisis, the President of Egypt reaches out to his political opposition.

Jonah Carlson - Recent announcements from Stockholm demonstrate Sweden’s strong desire to redefine its geopolitical code.

Hailey Brown - National identity in Cyprus has been divided on ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkey invaded.

Jacob Sagers – Opinion polling about conflict with China signals turmoil in Europe’s alliances with America.

Anna Johnson - Your clothes are part of a global network that acts as an economic boon and an environmental curse. Fast fashion outlets are making it worse.

Carilyn Pointer – USAID network has suspended sending food aid to Ethiopia as food theft runs rampant.

Jacob Sagers – The G7’s meeting in Japan challenges China’s power in Asia and stokes uncertainty for the future.

Jonah Carlson – The reaction of China and Pakistan to a G20 meeting in Kashmir reminds us of the importance of boundaries and territory.

Hailey Brown - Creating a secure phone link signals strong relations between the two countries despite geopolitical turmoil in the region.

Carilyn Pointer – Russia has seized Bakhmut and continues expanding their territory in Ukraine.

Anna Johnson - Montana is the first state to ban Tik Tok, setting up a legal battle that will act as a precedent for additional bans. With relations between the U.S. and China already strained, how will the ban affect that relationship?

Hailey Brown - The COVID-19 policy that helped expel migrants from the Southern border expired this month. Now what?

Jonah Carlson – As conflict in Sudan displaces citizens in West Darfur, Chad is forced to confront a growing humanitarian crisis.

Jacob Sagers – The role of Hun Sen and political parties in shaping Cambodia’s national identity.

Carilyn Pointer- Turkey is in the middle of pivotal Presidential elections with President Erdogan as one of the lead candidates.

Jacob Sagers – Iranian women’s non-compliance with Iran’s hijab law results in creative measures for enforcement.

Anna Johnson - We recognize territory through boundaries drawn on a map but what territorial claims exist beyond those lines? The U’wa of Colombia say their territorial claims run deeper and extend further than the Republic of Colombia.

Anna Johnson - King Charles III will take the throne this weekend. His reign marks a major shift in the relationship among the nations in the United Kingdom. With a strong independence movement finding support in Scotland, can the crown pull the UK back t...

Carilyn Pointer – A stampede in Yemen gives a glimpse into the realities of living in a civil war.

Jonah Carlson – The murder of a Shia cleric in Iran raises questions about the effects of dissent and violence on geopolitics.

Ben Johnson- Comments made by a Chinese ambassador strain relations with Europe.

Hailey Brown - In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration proposed cutting water shares from the Colorado River.

Anna Johnson - Brazil has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine so why won’t it send arms to Ukraine’s forces? The refusal is a part of their geopolitical code.

Jacob Sagers – Increasing migration through Tunisia amid global turmoil preludes challenges for Europe.

Carilyn Pointer – France and China aim to restart peace talks in Ukraine as the conflict continues to grow.

Morgan Aikele- Russian authorities use a recent bombing, which resulted in the death of a pro-war Russian blogger, to crack down on internal opposition.

Ben Johnson- Finland’s decision to join the alliance signals a change of geopolitical codes.

Jonah Carlson - As the Israeli military clashes with Palestinian and Lebanese militias, non-state actors are brought back to the forefront of the news.

Anna Johnson - With just over 300,000 people, the island of Vanuatu seems an unlikely site for U.S. power projection, but it may play a major role in future U.S.-China relations.

Hailey Brown - The major intelligence breach at the Department of Defense publicized confidential documents on key U.S. operations, including involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Jacob Sagers – Arrests against union leaders, amid strikes and protests, question democracy’s future in Tunisia.

Hailey Brown - President Biden’s disagreement with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent proposals to radically change Israel’s judicial system has shaken the two countries’ long-term alliance.

Carilyn Pointer- The U.S. and Japan strengthen ties by creating a new deal regarding car battery materials.

Morgan Aikele- Plans to rebuild Ukraine’s largest cargo plane, damaged in the first days of fighting, sparks debate over the country’s priorities. 

Ben Johnson- Multiple levels of government debate the future of social media.

Anna Johnson - Fleeing the war in Ukraine, Russia’s wealthy elite have had to reestablish their Russian national identity through new everyday actions in a foreign country.

Jonah Carlson - China’s position in recent diplomacy between Iran and Saudi Arabia raises questions about the United States’ ideological power.

Jacob Sagers – Israeli protests threaten Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reforms and future.

Carilyn Pointer – Ukraine accepts warplanes from Poland and continues to garner support and power amidst war.

Hailey Brown - The shuttering of Silicon Valley Bank did not just affect the Silicon Valley tech epicenter, leaving some Utah businesses and a regional bank in a precarious position

Morgan Aikele- Increasing pressures from China, supplemented by the realities of war in Ukraine, give cause for concern in Taiwan.

Ben Johnson- Protests escalate following President Emmanuel Macron’s pension legislation.

Jonah Carlson - The United States will need to reevaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia to formulate a response to recent demands.

Jacob Sagers – The new gay American ambassador to Hungary has struck drama in the country’s changing geopolitical landscape.

Hailey Brown - The Biden administration is putting the onus on tech companies to prevent cybercrime while also rebuffing governmental efforts to do the same

Morgan Aikele- House committee hearings regarding U.S. aid packages may indicate a future with less material support for Ukraine.

Ben Johnson- Devastating earthquakes in Turkey have forced the government to come up with creative solutions.

Carilyn Pointer – The United States continues its counterterrorism campaigns in Somalia in a display of nationalism.

Anna Johnson - Access to prescription drugs is limited, even in wealthy nations. So why is one company making it even more difficult to access lifesaving care?

Jonah Carlson - The policy reevaluation calls into serious question the current state of geopolitical codes in both Russia and the West.

Jacob Sagers – Utah’s gay conversion therapy ban showcases the gay rights movements’ success throughout towns and cities within the territorial conservative bastion and LDS Church.

Morgan Aikele- Power hangs in the balance as Ukraine seeks a stronger regional relationship.

Ben Johnson- Seeking escape, Russians sympathetic to Ukraine turn to smuggling networks.

Jacob Sagers – LGBTQ+ groups shift focus outside of the West after recent events cemented success with decades of work.

Jonah Carlson - New military installations on the archipelago raise questions about sovereignty.

Hailey Brown - Last week, as Biden gave the State of the Union, splintering U.S. national identity was put on show alongside prospective policy

Carilyn Pointer – A massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria deploys relief networks to the scene.

Anna Johnson - Pope Francis’ recent visit highlighted his role as a non-state actor in the increasingly competitive fight for influence in Africa.

Hailey Brown - A recent Israeli attack on an Iranian facility reminds the region of the possible threat of Iran’s nuclear missile program.

Jacob Sagers - War crimes against civilians amid increasing Russian influence in Mali alarms the West and places civilians in a precarious position.

Ben Johnson- The United States seeks cooperation with India in its ongoing transition from China.

Russia relies on its sheer volume of troops for battleground victories.

Carilyn Pointer - Relations between Burkina Faso and France, their former colonial ruler, grow rocky amid changing geopolitical codes.

Jonah Carlson - The recent debt ceiling quarrel raises questions for international finance.

Anna Johnson - The Australian Open tennis tournament’s decision to ban Russian and Belarussian flags has weakened Russia’s ability to project an image of a strong Russian identity.

Morgan Aikele- Russian forces have looted over 30 museums throughout the war, seeking to strip away Ukraine’s culture one piece at a time.

Jonah Carlson - Strategic thinkers in the United States and Japan discuss the state of relational power in East Asia.

Ben Johnson- Ukrainian schools utilize networks as they adapt to the new normal.

Hailey Brown- In 2023 China faces a shrinking population for the first time in decades.

Carilyn Pointer – Britain offers tanks and military support to Ukraine expanding the scale of the conflict.

Jacob Sagers – Chinese police outposts threaten Western sovereignty.

Anna Johnson - With its ambitious new carbon border tax, the European Union is making huge strides in climate action, but it may also be removing itself from the flow of goods from non-member states.

Hailey Brown - At the recent U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Biden announced plans to strengthen relations with African nations.

Carilyn Pointer – Iranians continue to protest the ideological power of their government amid public executions.

Conflict over an invisible boundary line led to a physical confrontation between groups of soldiers.

Jonah Carlson - Recent strikes from Ukrainian drones could vastly expand the territorial extent of the conflict.

Jonah Carlson - The power of cyberspace networks encourages questions concerning traditional security.

Carilyn Pointer - The U.S. recognizes the Cook Islands as an official state, shifting Pacific politics.

Ben Johnson- German police officers apprehend a plot to overthrow the government.

Recent protests across China demonstrate that the Chinese government’s agenda is no longer met with unquestioning adherence.

Jacob Sagers – The G7’s price cap and EU’s ban on most Russian oil changes previous frameworks amid increasingly volatile relations over Ukraine.

Ben Johnson- The rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act puts a spotlight on utility companies' motives

Anna Johnson - Gambia, just a fraction of the size of Senegal, holds the power to enforce a political boundary that has isolated Senegal from itself and its economic potential for decades - that was until the construction of the Senegambia Bridge.

Hailey Brown - The U.S. D.O.J. is attempting to seize a $156 million dollar yacht linked to the Russian Oligarch Andrei Skoch as part of ongoing sanctions against Russia.

Jacob Sagers – Drop in church attendance among Polish youth amid church scandals creates questions about the country’s identity moving forward.

Jonah Carlson - How the Secretary of State’s love for soccer illuminates liberal internationalism.

Carilyn Pointer - Rigid Covid-19 restrictions in China impacted the ability of people to flee an apartment fire, resulting in 10 deaths. In response citizens are protesting across the country hoping for an end of the pandemic.

Anna Johnson - The World Cup brings a flow of millions of fans, celebrities, and athletes to host nations to enjoy world-class soccer. But the 2022 World Cup in Qatar brought with it another flow, one of migrant workers, that is much less glamorous.

A Welsh song has invigorated the Red Wall of the Welsh soccer team in their march to the World Cup.

Hailey Brown - As protestors unite along a new line of identity — their dissatisfaction with the government — others flee and cling to new places. How will this change Iran’s place in the world?

Jonah Carlson - Midterm elections in the U.S. encourage the world to reflect.

Carilyn Pointer - Kherson, Ukraine has been retaken by Ukrainian forces. While under Russian control propaganda and assimilation ran rampant. How did the residents of Kherson push back and what can we learn from their example?

Jacob Sagers – The widespread losses of far-right candidates in competitive races alters the power President Biden has in creating his geopolitical code.

Anna Johnson - At this year’s annual climate conference, developing countries are demanding a seat at the table. And they’re shifting the scale of climate conflict to do so.

Ben Johnson- The Ukraine war has revealed the dangers of over-dependence, raising questions about Chinese influence in Germany.

Russian state officials and media have turned to painting Ukraine as a terrorist threat in order to justify the ongoing war.

Hailey Brown - Last week North Korea launched over 20 short- and long-range missiles and threatened the use of nuclear weapons against the U.S. and South Korea.

Ben Johnson- Recent comments by Mr. Musk raise questions about Ukrainian access to the internet and the continued role of the non-state actor.

Jacob Sagers – An attack on a shrine in Iran portrays the complexity between terrorism and identity.

Anna Johnson - The recent attack on civilians at an outdoor concert in Myanmar killed at least 80 people and weakened ethnic identity ties.

Jonah Carlson - U.S. officials are shifting away from authoritarian resource-holders.

Morgan Aikele- Quebec’s premier capitalized on traditional Québécois identity in a divisive campaign.

Hailey Brown - Ocean territory is a renewed subject of conflict for the two Koreas after the breach of boundary lines led to an exchange of warning shots.

Carilyn Pointer – Taiwan adjusts their geopolitical code in an attempt to protect themselves against an invasion from China.

Ben Johnson- The exodus of hundreds of thousands of Russian men raise questions about national identity in Russia.

Jacob Sagers – Burkina Faso’s latest coup showcases new foreign actors amid political turmoil.

Carilyn Pointer – Refugees drown while attempting to flee conflict, drawing attention to the role of states in this ongoing problem.

Jonah Carlson - North Korea’s growing material power is complicated by the region’s relations.

Anna Johnson - Recent attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine have prompted China and India, both economic and security partners of Russia, to make changes to their geopolitical codes.

Hailey Brown - U.S. attempts to preserve power with Biden administration’s new restrictions on sale of semiconductor technology to China.

Ben Johnson- Swedish and U.S. marines conduct military exercises in the Baltic Sea.

Morgan Aikele- China’s massive purchasing of Iranian oil emboldens Iran in negotiations with the United States.

Jacob Sagers – A new lithium mine in Québec presents an opportunity to help break China’s hold on electric car batteries.

Jonah Carlson - What can glass reveal about supply chains in Ukraine and the country’s connection to Western Europe?

Anna Johnson - Protests following the death of a woman in custody of Iran’s morality police, have united Iranians of varying ethnicities and social classes despite existing divides in identity.

Hailey Brown - Referendums seeking secession of occupied areas in Ukraine are opposed by citizens who remain loyal to their home state and sense of national identity.

Ben Johnson- Russian referendums in Ukraine bring up questions about sovereignty and territory.

Carilyn Pointer - The Solomon Islands are signaling they are growing their relationship with China, which raises the importance of scale as geopolitical tensions rise.

Jacob Sagers - France struggles with Pétain’s legacy as it grapples with a world in crisis.

Morgan Aikele- Russia’s turn to the pariah state implicates deeper tensions in the international community.

Carilyn Pointer - Recent policies implemented by the new president of Mexico have given more ideological power to the cartels, increasing violence across the country.

Hailey Brown - Execution of two Palestinians for alleged cooperation with Israel serves as a reminder of the Gazan geopolitical code.

Jonah Carlson - Mikhail Gorbachev’s recent passing has the West thinking about ideological power.

Ben Johnson - A recent victory in Ukraine undermines Russian ideological power.

Anna Johnson - With climate change putting pressure on the American West’s water systems, connected networks must work together to find water solutions for the Colorado River.

Jacob Sagers - Ideological power helps explain why Chile’s attempt at rewriting Pinochet’s Constitution is soundly rejected by voters. 

Aggies GO student analysts offer tools for making sense of crazy world events