International Relations

Tulia Falleti

The Venezuelan crisis, explained

A Q&A with Tulia Falleti, a political science professor and the director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, on the past, present, and possible future of Venezuela.

Penn Today Staff ・

Barbie Zelizer, director of the Center for Media at Risk

Political intimidation, at-risk media, and the future of journalism

In the wake of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s death, Barbie Zelizer, director of the Center for Media at Risk, discusses how journalists and other digital media practitioners can better prepare for working in today’s climate and why, for that to happen, the media culture needs to shift.

Michele W. Berger ・

McKay, Ramah

The transforming power of global aid on health care—and care giving

Foreign aid makes up close to half of Mozambique’s national health care budget. In a new book, Ramah McKay of the School of Arts and Science lends a critical eye toward how this influx of global health dollars is felt on the ground, by caregivers and patients alike.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

This striking depiction, from work by University of Pennsylvania political scientist Ian Lustick, shows that U.S. retaliation against Assad in Syria in 2013 would have likely led to higher civilian casualties than the numbers without such an intervention. (Image: Courtesy Ian Lustick) 

Only one approach could plausibly have avoided catastrophe in Syria

Could the U.S. have better protected civilians from mass atrocities during the Syrian conflict in 2013? Research from political scientist Ian Lustick reveals that only one approach—persuading Assad to treat the protests as a reform movement rather than a violent revolution—might have helped.

Michele W. Berger ・

Syria map

Perspective: Gas attack in Douma

Ian Lustick, a professor in Penn’s Political Science Department and a leading authority on international terrorism, says this weekend’s atrocities in Douma can be attributed to a Syrian attack. We asked him to elaborate on a few details.

Jill DiSanto , Jill DiSanto ・



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In the News


South China Morning Post

The Philippine province caught in the cross hairs of U.S.-China rivalry

Thomas Shattuck of Perry World House says that the Philippine provinces closest to Taiwan would undoubtedly play a strategic role should a conflict occur with China.

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The Wall Street Journal

Europe sees signs of Russian sabotage but hesitates to blame Kremlin

Benjamin L. Schmitt of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that avoiding attributing acts of sabotage to Russia will only degrade deterrence and invite further attacks against critical infrastructure.

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Associated Press

Far fewer young Americans now want to study in China. Both countries are trying to fix that

Amy Gadsden of Penn Global says that American interest in studying in China is declining due to foreign businesses closing their offices there and Beijing’s draconian governing style.

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Voice of America

U.S. bolstering Philippines amid increasing assertiveness by China

Thomas J. Shattuck of Perry World House says that greater interest in the Philippines by the U.S. and Japan will have a positive impact on Taiwan’s security.

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Toronto Star

Few options available to Western leaders weighing response to Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny’s death

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Western countries have little practical leverage to push Russia off its authoritarian path after Alexei Navalny’s death, given the economic and diplomatic sanctions already levied against Vladimir Putin.

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The Hill

We must protect the right to seek asylum

In a co-authored Op-Ed, Sarah Paoletti of Penn Carey Law says that U.S. immigration and deportation systems are failing to adequately protect people in need of asylum.

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