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politics + society

Decades of hostility between Iran and the US were preceded by a little-remembered century-long friendship

Decades of hostility between Iran and the US were preceded by a little-remembered century-long friendship

The British- and American-backed plot to overthrow Iran’s prime minister in 1953 laid the groundwork for the 1979 Iran hostage crisis and decades of hostility with the U.S. that have now culminated in a war launched on Iran by the U.S. and Israel. Many Americans only

Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship will depend on its interpretation of one key phrase

Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship will depend on its interpretation of one key phrase

(KNOXVILLE, TN) The Supreme Court on April 1, 2026, will hear oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, the case that challenges the Trump administration’s efforts to bar the children of immigrants without legal status from birthright citizenship by reinterpreting the terms of the 14th Amendment. In January 2025, President

There’s a competition crisis in America’s state legislatures – and that’s bad for democracy

There’s a competition crisis in America’s state legislatures – and that’s bad for democracy

(BOISE, IDAHO) Many Americans report frustration with the two-party system, in which the Democratic and Republican candidates are seen as the only viable options for elective office. But an alarming trend in many state legislative elections is lowering the bar even further, to something more like a one-party

For 80 years, the president’s party has almost always lost House seats in midterm elections, a pattern that makes the 2026 congressional outlook clear

For 80 years, the president’s party has almost always lost House seats in midterm elections, a pattern that makes the 2026 congressional outlook clear

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) Now that the 2026 midterm elections are less than a year away, public interest in where things stand is on the rise. Of course, in a democracy no one knows the outcome of an election before it takes place, despite what the pollsters may predict. Nevertheless, it is

What Americans can learn from other civil activism movements against authoritarian regimes

What Americans can learn from other civil activism movements against authoritarian regimes

On Feb. 24, The Conversation hosted a webinar titled, “What Americans can learn from other nonviolent civil activism movements.” Executive editor and general manager Beth Daley interviewed John Shattuck, professor of practice at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Oliver Kaplan, associate professor at Josef

War on Iran during nuclear negotiations undermines the US’s ability to talk peace around the world − and the effects won’t end when Trump leaves office

War on Iran during nuclear negotiations undermines the US’s ability to talk peace around the world − and the effects won’t end when Trump leaves office

Operation Epic Fury – the latest round of military strikes against Iran – began when Iran was engaged in negotiations with the United States to renew restrictions on its nuclear program. This is not the first time the United States has bombed Iran during nuclear negotiations. In June 2025, while its representatives

How the National Security Council typically functions to plan and fully assess risks when presidents consider going to war

How the National Security Council typically functions to plan and fully assess risks when presidents consider going to war

(LOS ANGELES) Three weeks into the U.S. war with Iran, it seems increasingly evident that President Donald Trump and his administration miscalculated how Iran would respond to attacks. Besides appearing unprepared by the escalation of war, the president has offered contradictory statements on the U.S. rationale for bombing