Political Science | Penn Today

For Meghan Garrity, experience plus academics equals policy

Garrity worked with the International Rescue Committee in Jordan and Turkey from 2012 to 2016. Now she’s exploring ways to prevent some refugee crises, by examining what causes states to expel mass groups of people.

A president navigates how to ask for painful sacrifices from Americans for Ukraine

Carolyn Marvin of the Annenberg School for Communication spoke about President Biden’s efforts to unify the country in support of Ukraine. “It’s economic pain. It’s unfortunate, it’s difficult—but it’s not the sacrifice that brings all the warring factions together,” she said. “But the kind of sacrifice that really is meaningful to people is loss of life of their own group. And that’s not what’s on the table for Americans at this point.”

On the screen of a tablet (l), the website of the Russian TV channel RT can be seen. On the right, the screen of a smartphone shows the official Twitter account of Ukrainian President Selenskyj

Cyberattacks, Russia, and the changing face of war in the 21st century

Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, a visiting fellow of Perry World House, shares her expertise in cybersecurity and how cyber methods are being utilized during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Four people seated on stage at Perry World House.

‘War in Europe: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine’

In an expert briefing hosted by Perry World House and moderated by Lightning Scholar Jane Vaynman, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, political science professor Rudra Sil, and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin discussed sanctions, the humanitarian crisis, and whether diplomatic solutions are realistic.

A line of people wearing winter coats and hats extends down a sidewalk in St. Petersburg, Russia, as they wait to use an ATM

Q&A

The West’s sanctions on Russia

Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, professor of economics and director of the Penn Initiative for the Study of the Markets, discusses the severity of the sanctions, the effects so far, and the potential reverberations for the rest of the globe.

Jens Stoltenberg and Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO press conference.

Claire Finkelstein discusses Ukraine, NATO, and U.S. ethics and cybersecurity

The Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy runs down the reality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and asks what ethical and legal responsibility NATO has, and what risks could NATO incur, from intervention.

Former Indian foreign secretary discusses India, China, and the ‘Asian Century’

In a lecture presented by the Center for the Advanced Study of India, former Foreign Secretary of India Shyam Saran discussed the relationship between India and China, as well as how the Russian invasion of Ukraine may shift geopolitics.

Person holding a Ukrainian flag at a solidarity with Ukraine rally on Penn’s campus.

Solidarity walk for Ukraine

More than 100 members of the University community joined a student-led walk in support of Ukraine, rallying awareness and calling for action.

Two people walk in front of a wall engraved with scenes of WWII soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine

Q&A

Russia’s attack on Ukraine, through the lens of history

Historian Benjamin Nathans offers background on Putin’s use of history in justifying his war in Ukraine

A Ukrainian flag is shown in front of a spray painted image of Vladimir Putin with a red handprint on his face

Q&A

Putin’s motivation behind the attack on Ukraine

In a Q&A with Penn Today, Michael C. Horowitz, director of Perry World House, provides insight into Putin’s motivations, nuclear threats, and expansionist views.

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