Schar News November 2020

Schar School’s Arnauld Nicogossian Added to National Air and Space Museum’s Wall of Honor for Contributions to Space Medicine

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 04:40:53 +0000

Schar School’s Arnauld Nicogossian Added to National Air and Space Museum’s Wall of Honor for Contributions to Space Medicine Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 23:40

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Arnauld Nicogossian

Space medicine pioneer Arnauld Nicogossian. Photo Creative Services

Originally published on November 24, 2020

The name of Schar School of Policy and Government Distinguished Research Professor Arnauld Nicogossian, M.D., joins those of the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and other aviation pioneers and enthusiasts on the Wall of Honor at the entrance of the popular Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

Nicogossian, whose award-winning book, Space Physiology and Medicine: From Evidence to Practice (Springer) describing medical procedures to ensure the health of astronauts in space environments, was engraved on the Wall of Honor “in recognition of your contribution to our aviation and space exploration heritage…as a permanent testament to your commitment to and passion for flight,” according to the announcement.

Nicogossian joined ��ӽ紫ý’s Schar School in 2003 after serving 30 years with NASA.

Nicogossian was the lead physician for NASA’s first international human space flight mission, the U.S.-Soviet Union Apollo-Soyuz test project in 1975. He is the recipient of NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal; NASA’s Contribution and Invention Award; a Presidential Letter of Commendation for Community Services; the S.P. Korolev Medal from the Russian Federation of Cosmonautics; the W. Randolph Lovelace II Award from the American Astronautical Society; and the International Academy of Astronautics Life Sciences Book Award.

The Udvar-Hazy Center welcomes nearly a million-and-a-half visitors a year. Visit foil 63, panel 4, column 3, line 17 to see Nicogossian’s name. Visit foil 63, panel 4, column 3, line 17 to see Nicogossian’s name.

Schar School Distinguished Research Professor Arnauld Nicogossian’s name is engraved on the Wall of Honor at the National Air and Space Museum at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo courtesy of National Air and Space Museum

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Schar News November 2020

Schar School Professor Zhang to Study ‘Chinese Coercion’

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 04:37:36 +0000

Schar School Professor Zhang to Study ‘Chinese Coercion’ Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 23:37

In This Story

Ketian Zhang

Ketian Zhang: ‘…[T]he award itself also indicates the importance of the ‘China question’ for both academic and policy reasons.’

Originally published on November 29, 2020

As China continues its rise as a global superpower—and in doing so, threatening American hegemony—the communist nation has become an inescapable discussion topic among U.S. strategists. Ketian Zhang, who teaches “grand strategy” at the Schar School of Policy and Government, has been awarded a grant to write a book discussing China’s rise.

“This award will help me further conduct my fieldwork in Japan and Southeast Asia when the pandemic is over,” Zhang said. “And winning the award itself also indicates the importance of the ‘China question’ for both academic and policy reasons. That is, what is the rationale behind China’s coercive actions, what does China’s coercion say about rising powers trajectory, and is it generalizable?”

Not to mention “what are the implications for the United States, as well as the rest of the world?” she added.

Zhang’s book will discuss how, when, and why China uses coercion, and what tools the state seeks to employ. Since the early 1990s, China has used coercion to address various national security issues, such as territorial disputes and arms sales to Taiwan. These actions, however, have damaging effects on the Communist Party’s reputation. Analysis of China’s behavior has not been answered systematically, something Zhang hopes to correct.

Zhang’s funding is provided by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, which for more than 70 years has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as other government agencies, to advance the nation’s top priorities.

Schar School fact: The lifetime value of active grants currently awarded to Schar School faculty is $25 million, which places the school near the top of its peer institutions.

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Schar News November 2020

Motivated by Personal Experience, Inspired by Professors, Schar School Junior D’Alacio Works for Social Change

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 04:05:01 +0000

Motivated by Personal Experience, Inspired by Professors, Schar School Junior D’Alacio Works for Social Change Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 23:05

In This Story

Matthew Scherer

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Isabella D’Alacio: ‘I dove into activism having recognized the injustices affecting my identities in this country…’

Originally published on November 9, 2020

Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants, Schar School of Policy and Government junior Isabella D’Alacio has made it her goal to uphold the legacy that her grandparents wished for their family to pursue higher education to fight for issues that matter most to her.

D’Alacio is currently working with the March for Our Lives Campaign (as a federal policy associate “where I lead all policy initiatives for the organization and will be working on redrafting the Peace Plan”) and United We Dream Action Campaign, the largest youth-led immigrant network, as a Florida “relational organizer.” “I recruit volunteers who are either immigrants or allies to the Here to Stay Squad where we focus on getting out the vote in Florida to ensure that although all immigrants can’t vote, they are still represented in the upcoming election,” she said.

On top of that, she’s an intern at the Library of Congress’ Congressional Research Service “writing my own report of current and past energy laws in Puerto Rico with special attention to Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority, the renewables mandate to get to 100 percent renewables for electric power generation, and the prospects for Puerto Rico to end its use of fossil fuels.”

Though these may seem like random causes, for D’Alacio—who is a Government and International Politics major with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a concentration in Law, Philosophy and Governance—there is meaning behind all of the roles she has chosen to champion.

As an out-of-state student and a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., D’Alacio has direct connections to both the March for Our Lives and the United We Dream campaigns. Having a sister who previously attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—where the March for Our Lives movement was created out of response to the tragic 2018 mass shooting—and having firsthand knowledge of the barriers that immigrants face in every election cycle, D’Alacio found it impossible to ignore these issues.

“I dove into activism having recognized the injustices affecting my identities in this country—a Gen-Z, Latinx women—while also recognizing the power I have to change that,” she said. “I realized that my family worked hard to assimilate to this country, but now it is my time to change this country to accept all people, like my family.”

D’Alacio said during her freshman year at Mason, her passions were greatly reaffirmed and amplified by courses taken with Schar School associate professors Matthew Scherer (Democratic Theory and Contemporary Political Theory) and Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (U.S./Mexico Border).

“With Dr. Correa-Cabrera, she was so being able to understand that immigration experience—and connect that with the work I do at United We Dream,” she said. “While Professor Scherer helped me identify the theories and roles of government and helped me feel more connected as a citizen to my government in different moments of my work.”

“Isabella was always very motivated and has a true passion for human rights and social justice issues,” recalled Correa-Cabrera. “She is especially interested in contributing to fix the broken immigration system in the United States. Isabella has a very clear idea of what is wrong with it.”

Through her experiences at Mason and the Schar School, D’Alacio has realized that she wants to pursue a law degree after graduation.

“I want to go to law school and focus on labor law to bring justice for working-class Americans and focus on rebuilding my hometown in South Florida to be the change I want to see for my people and my community,” she said.

Though Isabella’s grandfather, Jorge Vizcaino, passed away during her freshman year, D’Alacio is only further motivated to work hard to honor his legacy and to continue to honor her family’s experience, in the classroom and through her activism.

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A Zoom Boom! Unprecedented Access to Political Professionals During Pandemic

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:59:53 +0000

A Zoom Boom! Unprecedented Access to Political Professionals During Pandemic Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:59

In This Story

Steven Pearlstein

Sophomore Lauren Ashton: ‘…I got to ask questions to people that I never thought I would have the chance to talk with.’

Originally published on November 10, 2020

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, faculty at ��ӽ紫ý have found unprecedented opportunities to bring in high-caliber speakers who are willing to engage with students in the virtual space.

At the Schar School of Policy and Government, political leaders nationwide have met virtually with students throughout the past few months.

“To be honest, I can barely keep up with the number of amazing speakers that are coming to our virtual events,” said Doug Goldstein, senior associate dean for administration at the Schar School.

Schar School sophomore Lauren Ashton heard Republican strategist Rick Wilson, cofounder of the Lincoln Project, during the First Tuesday guest-speaker series, co-sponsored by the Schar School and the Honors College.

“He talked about the importance of to-the-point advertisements. The Lincoln Project’s advertisements, as he pointed out, are targeted, emotionally triggering, different, and very effective,” said Ashton, a Government and International Politics major and a member of Mason’s NCAA swim team. “Overall, the First Tuesday speakers have been a very interesting experience because I got to ask questions to people that I never thought I would have the chance to talk with.”

Bennett Freeze: ‘I enjoy hearing both perspectives of the political spectrum…’

Bennett Freeze, a Government and International Politics major from Rockford, Ill., has also enjoyed the access afforded by the First Tuesday series, moderated by Mason Robinson Professor of Public Policy Steven Pearlstein.

“I've tuned into all the webinars this semester, but my favorite guests have been Rebecca Pearcey, Rick Wilson, and Danny Diaz,” he said. “I enjoy hearing both perspectives of the political spectrum, the guests are high caliber, dynamic thinkers in their field, and the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the session is invaluable. Steven Pearlstein is an excellent moderator, and the sessions are especially relevant during the pandemic.”

Beyond learning expert insights, Freeze said “each guest has motivated me in my political aspirations and provided a window into their area of expertise. I'm truly thankful that the Schar School is organizing these events. I will be tuning in for more.”

Freeze said he is contacting Congressional offices for internships for when he relocates to Fairfax in the spring. “I’m a real politics junkie,” he said. “I chose ��ӽ紫ý because I wanted to be close to the action in D.C.”

Carol Pineau, a senior fellow at the Schar School, will be leading two virtual study abroad programs to Africa starting in January. The programs, run through Schar and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, will allow students to connect with African leaders.

The Schar School program, called Africa Zooms Ahead, will allow students to see how African-led initiatives are transforming the continent. Students will meet virtually with leading economic and social development leaders, including officials from the African Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation, and even engage in cultural exchanges via Zoom.

“Once you start accepting that things are what they really are, and we can’t travel in person right now, you find there are surprisingly interesting opportunities to connect with people in meaningful ways,” said Pineau.

Additional reporting by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government.

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Scholarship helps Mason veteran realize his dream to serve America

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:56:44 +0000

Scholarship helps Mason veteran realize his dream to serve America Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:56

First-year graduate student Michael Manges continues to serve with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard while going to school and working full-time. Photo provided.

Originally published on November 10, 2020

A strong sense of duty is what led Michael Manges to ��ӽ紫ý, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship is helping him realize his dream.

A first-year graduate student in the international security program within the Schar School of Policy and Government who also works full time, Manges is one of 158 veterans and active-duty service members awarded a Help A Hero Scholarship this semester. The scholarship is funded through donations collected annually during the Help A Hero campaign at Sport Clips Haircuts locations around the country and has provided 1,750 scholarships totaling $8 million since 2014.

“I didn’t expect to get it when I first applied,” said Manges, who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown last spring with a degree in political science and geography. “It’s just been fantastic. That financial stability has been really crucial for me.”

Manges, 23, grew up in Central City, Pennsylvania, which is just a few minutes from the site where ill-fated United Flight 93 crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, killing all passengers on board after they resisted terrorists who had hijacked their plane. Growing up there instilled strong feelings in Manges about the importance of protecting the nation.

One weekend a month and two weeks out of the summer didn’t seem like much to ask in return for his education, so Manges joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after he graduated from high school. He spent a year deployed to Jordan from 2016-17 and has been activated in 2020 along with several other members of his unit to help in COVID-19 relief operations.

But his dream of ultimately serving his country in the intelligence or federal law enforcement fields never wavered. Mason’s international security master’s degree program and proximity to Washington, D.C., made it the right choice for him.

“I wanted to find something that would benefit me or my career path,” Manges said. “The Schar School really stood out when looking at programs.”

In addition to taking three classes while fulfilling his National Guard commitments, he’s also working full-time as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army and contractor for the Department of Justice.

Now a sergeant, Manges recently signed up for another six-year stint with the National Guard.

“I think things have been going really well,” he said. “It’s been a pretty good experience, and I’m enjoying it. I’m making the best I can of going to school, working full-time and fulfilling my National Guard commitment.”

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Recap: Hayden, Whipple Discuss ‘Spymasters’ and Leadership in U.S. Intelligence

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:41:34 +0000

Recap: Hayden, Whipple Discuss ‘Spymasters’ and Leadership in U.S. Intelligence Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:41

In This Story

Michael V. Hayden

Screenshot by Mason Goad/Schar School of Policy and Government

Originally published on November 11, 2020

In one of his first extended appearances since suffering a stroke two years ago, former CIA and NSA director General (ret.) Michael V. Hayden engaged author Chris Whipple in a wide-ranging hour-long conversation about the state of intelligence in the modern era.

View the recording.

Whipple, a New York Times best-selling author, recently published a new book, The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future. Hayden, who was joined in the discussion by Larry Pfeiffer, director of the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security, is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government.

About 250 viewers attended the virtual discussion. See the recording of the program, Spymasters: A Conversation with Chris Whipple.

Intelligence leadership is complex, said Whipple, who interviewed previous CIA and other intelligence agency leaders for his book. Speaking truth to power is not the easiest task, and as the intelligence community is continuing to be politicized, the topic of intelligence leadership has become more important than ever.

“Leon Panetta did a wonderful job,” said Hayden. “He went to the president [Barack Obama] and said ‘Mr. President, you aren’t going to like this, but I’m going to tell you anyway.’ And that’s good. That’s very good.”

We may have a new CIA director in 2021, and that person will need to ask themselves what lessons can be learned from past leaders like Dulles, Helms, and Tenet? Or, more recently, from Hayden, Panetta, and Haspel?

“One of the things I did learn,” Whipple said, “is that some of the attributes that make great White House chiefs of staff, also serve CIA directors well. And one of those, perhaps the most important of those qualities, is the ability to walk into the Oval Office, close the door, and tell the president what he doesn’t want to hear.

“That was an essential quality for a great CIA director,” Whipple added.

Hayden reminisced on one of his own experiences with that quality.

“One day I was at Camp David, right before Christmas, and there was a problem,” said Hayden. “And I walked into the president’s office and said, ‘We’ve got to talk about this.’ We talked about it for an hour…You have to talk to the president directly.”

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Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis on the Election, ‘Branding’ Political Parties, and What’s Next

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:34:34 +0000

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis on the Election, ‘Branding’ Political Parties, and What’s Next Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:34

In This Story

Steven Pearlstein

Screenshot by Audrey Butler/Honors College

Originally published on November 12, 2020

Amidst the record voter turnout for one of the most highly anticipated presidential elections, the motivations behind voters and candidates alike pose questions about where our nation now stands—and how to heal. According to former seven-term U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), we’ve got some ways to go.

“It’s a divided country. We are divided,” said Davis at the outset of his appearance on November 10’s First Tuesday program. It was the ninth and final episode of the political campaign webinar series hosted by ��ӽ紫ý Robinson Professor of Public Policy Steven Pearlstein. The series was sponsored by the Honors College and the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Davis, who recently stepped down as Mason’s rector, brought his political insights to a breakdown of one of the most controversial elections in our nation’s history. He knows a bit about divisiveness in politics: After declining to run for an eighth term he co-wrote the book The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis with former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas). Davis came to the conversation ready to analyze what happened in this year’s election.

Early on, the 2020 presidential election rose from the aftermath of a contentious presidential term, naming Donald Trump as the first president in history to be impeached, to lose the popular vote, and to hold only one term.

“Trump lost this [election] because of his personality,” Davis said, reflecting on Trump’s blunt mannerisms that have come to characterize the “brand” of his most loyal supporters. “It’s a bad brand for Republicans because the party, philosophically, has more to offer people…We’re not a party of entitlements, we’re a party of economic opportunity.”

Further building into this election, issues of social movements and pandemic response were fresh and influential in the minds of many voters, and Davis observed Trump’s radical attitude as the cause for gaining more opposition. In response to the handling of events surrounding George Floyd’s death, Davis pointed out, “For Trump, [this] was an opportunity to unify the country—and he didn’t know how to play on that other than polarize it, at a time the country was looking for some unity.”

The unity that was achieved, however, was the unity against the Republican president, as Davis emphasized, “Democrats were an anti-Trump party, not a progressive party.”

Yet despite the evident divide in our nation that seems larger than ever, Davis voiced a sense of optimism in the future, describing the election results as the outcome some may not have wanted, yet perhaps still “the government we needed.”

“[Now may be] time to slow down after some great tumultuous, divisive years,” Davis said. “Start talking to each other again instead of yelling at each other.”

Of course, the uncertain, post-election reality waits ahead, with new hurdles in store for both Republicans and Democrats, where Davis forecasts wrestling with major questions inside the dominant political parties.

“[Democrats] are going to have these fights now within the caucus of what they want that party to be,” he pointed out, describing whether they follow the progressive agenda of many young supporters or a more traditional agenda that many of the older generation of supporters favor.

Meanwhile, conservatives must answer with which values they best identify with. “Republicans are going to have to decide, ‘Do we want to keep Trump over the next four years, or do we want to shed him and put somebody else in?’” Davis asked.

Finally, perhaps beseeching his college audience, Davis said, “We need a new generation of leaders.”

Schar School fact: In a challenging job market, 87 percent of Schar master’s degree graduates from Winter ’19 and Spring ’20 hold full-time jobs.

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Schar News November 2020

Explainer: What’s Happening in Côte d’Ivoire—and Why It Matters

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:29:08 +0000

Explainer: What’s Happening in Côte d’Ivoire—and Why It Matters Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:29

In This Story

Philip Martin

Philip Martin: ‘As long as ex-rebel commanders retain political clout, the risks of violent escalation and military intervention in politics remain.’

Originally published on November 13, 2020

With the UN this week calling for warring factions in the West African nation of Côte d’Ivoire to “tone down the hateful rhetoric and work to find common solutions,” there is continued violence in the streets following the disputed October reelection of 78-year-old president Alassane Ouattara. We asked Schar School of Policy and Government Assistant Professor of International Security Philip Martin, who studies armed conflict and Africa, to explain what is happening, and why. He co-authored a paper earlier this year called Ex-Rebel Authority After Civil War: Theory and Evidence from Côte d’Ivoire that examines the causes and ramifications of the conflict.

Context
In 2011, the long-running civil war in Côte d'Ivoire came to an end when Laurent Gbagbo's government was overthrown by northern rebel forces supported by the United Nations. Since then, President Alassane Ouattara has ruled the country with the help of his former rebel allies, who were awarded key positions in the postwar national army. Though Ouattara's government has overseen an impressive economic recovery, political stability in the West African nation has remained elusive. Military mutinies by disgruntled soldiers are frequent. Many roads are still plagued by illegal checkpoints manned by militias and ex-rebels with uncertain political loyalties. All of this is unfolding amid an economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To understand the potential for violent escalation and instability, it is critical to understand the political role of former rebel commanders in Côte d'Ivoire. These commanders can mobilize significant resources, armed supporters, and voters, which makes them key power-brokers.

What We Found
Our study used extensive interviews and field work in northern Côte d'Ivoire to explore the roots of ex-rebel commanders' political authority. What makes for a powerful commander in a post-conflict country like Côte d'Ivoire? How do they remain politically relevant?

We found that ex-rebel commanders built their political authority in two distinct areas: Local-level ties to civilian communities, and national-level ties to state elites. Local ties provide commanders with popular legitimacy and a regional support base. These ties are sustained through social relationships, kinship networks, and participation in local community events. National-level ties provide commanders with patronage resources and the legal privileges of the state. When commanders combine both local- and national-level ties, they can exercise significant authority and act as powerful intermediaries between citizens and the state. Commanders with only one source of authority, by contrast, were less likely to retain their political influence over time.

Why It Matters
Côte d’Ivoire is currently experiencing a political crisis in the aftermath of the October 31 presidential election. Violence has intensified around the country as opposition forces reject the legitimacy of President Ouattara’s re-election to a third term. A growing number of opposition political leaders are finding themselves in prison.

Former rebel commanders in the Ivorian military are critical players in the unfolding drama. On November 4, the exiled former rebel leader Guillaume Soro called on the army to “restore our Constitution” and block Ouattara’s reelection. Those commanders with significant mobilization power and authority could yet play king-maker, either by siding with Ouattara or throwing their weight behind one of his rivals. Those commanders with weaker local- and national-level ties may be left on the outside looking in.

In the longer term, building a sustainable peace in Côte d'Ivoire will eventually require the central government to reduce the power of these military actors. As long as ex-rebel commanders retain political clout, the risks of violent escalation and military intervention in politics remain.

The Schar School of Policy and Government is ranked No. 2 in the world for security studies programs.

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Schar News November 2020

Power Lunch Recap: Facing the Challenges of Healthcare

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:26:37 +0000

Power Lunch Recap: Facing the Challenges of Healthcare Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:26

In This Story

Justin Gest

Power hour: Clockwise from top left, Justin Gest, Saskia Popescu, Sarah Kliff, and Tom Daschle. Screenshot by Mason Goad/Schar School of Policy and Government

Originally published on November 16, 2020

There's a Power Lunch every Friday at the Schar School of Policy and Government until January 15. Professor Justin Gest moderates a virtual discussion with influential political leaders, journalists, and experts addressing crucial topics affecting the next four years of U.S. public policy. All events stream live on the Schar School’s YouTube channel. (The Schar School is closed the Fridays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.)

Here’s a recap of last week’s program on the topic of healthcare. (Zeke Emanuel, vice-provost at the University of Pennsylvania and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was originally scheduled to participate. At the time of the Power Lunch, Emanuel learned that he had been appointed to President-Elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 task force.)

Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senator (D-SD) and Senate Majority Leader:
“We just need broader participation for whatever it is we ultimately decide to do. We haven’t gotten that yet. There has been great resistance among some states, including my original state of South Dakota, to many of these issues. So, we have to get greater participation and more unified leadership as we address the challenges we know we’re going to face in the next several months especially.”

“Working with Congress, of course, is critical. We need another COVID relief bill. We’ve got to get that, because resources are just stretched to the maximum right now in all states. States and healthcare facilities across the board need more resources for testing, for tracing. There’s a lot of testing that still needs to be done. We have the vaccine coming on. We’ve got to make sure that we have equitable distribution and efficient distribution. This could be very complicated.”

“There’s just a myriad of things we have to do around policy, around execution, of the plan I think is currently unfolding. It is going to take bi-partisan cooperation in order to do it effectively.”

Sarah Kliff, an investigative reporter focused on healthcare for the New York Times:
“I think what’s been especially challenging is that you have a set of hospitals—larger, private hospitals—that are probably going to weather this fine. They’re going to lose a significant amount of money, but they had a big cushion coming into the pandemic. Then you have rural hospitals, safety-net hospitals, which don’t have that cushion, and often are dealing with one or two weeks of cash-on-hand.”

“We haven’t seen that additional round of stimulus. There’s on and off talks about it here in Washington. We don’t know when it’s going to happen. But it seems like if we go through another wave, and you want to keep the healthcare system up and standing, you are probably going to have to do more of that provider-relief work.”

“We’ve now seen seven ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid, most of them, by their nature, are in more conservative states that have declined to accept it on their own. Six of them have passed.”

Epidemiologist Saskia Popescu, a term professor in the Biodefense Program at the Schar School:
“If we’re going to go down into a closure, a shut-down, a stay-at-home order, however you want to call it, I think the biggest task is to get everybody on board and to use that time effectively.”

“I think people get very nervous when you talk about shut-downs—that’s a very hard term. But if we look at what can be done in more of an incremental stay-at-home order, or a closure, that could be much more successful.”

“Curfews really don’t work…”

Justin Gest’s Takeaway: “Infecting and killing millions, COVID-19 has tested the limits of science, medicine, and healthcare systems in every corner of the globe. Here in the United States, there are debates over the future of the Affordable Care Act and the role of government in the provision of healthcare…Just yesterday, the U.S. recorded more than 145,000 new COVID-19 cases to set a new record-high. In some areas of the country the number of hospitalizations is already pushing hospital staff to the brink.”

Next up on Power Lunch: Economic policy as America looks to the future. Participants include Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic; Betsey Stevenson, formerly Council of Economic Advisers; and Mason Robinson Professor of Public Policy and Washington Post columnist Steven Pearlstein. See previous Power Lunch programs.

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Sample Class: ‘Energy Security and Climate Change: The National Security Odd Couple’

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 03:24:12 +0000

Sample Class: ‘Energy Security and Climate Change: The National Security Odd Couple’ Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/02/2021 - 22:24

In This Story

Richard Kauzlarich

Originally published on November 18, 2020

For many, climate change is an existential threat to the world. Professors at the Schar School of Policy and Government have determined that while that no doubt is true, a more immediate concern considers climate change as a threat to national security. In this sample class, Distinguished Visiting Professor Ambassador (ret.) Richard D. Kauzlarich reveals how dangerous climate change is to the U.S., particularly when it comes to energy and natural resources.

Discover the nexus between energy and climate change with major national security and geopolitical implications during the hour-long sample class.

Did you know?: U.S. News & World Report ranked the school No. 2 in the world for security studies in 2019.

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Schar News November 2020