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McFate Quoted in USA Today Article on Biden, Zelenskyy Condemning Russian Aggression at the UN

Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, says the U.N. mission of preventing and ending wars has "become a punchline," citing struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Zaire and Somalia and genocides in Rwanda, Darfur and Iraq.

September 26, 2023

McFate Speaks with USA Today About the War in Ukraine

"Things are going nowhere for Ukraine," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington Programs. "Wars are no longer won like World War II by taking the enemy’s land, killing their troops and flying your flag over their capital."

September 16, 2023

Johanna Dunaway Named Research Director for the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship

The political scientist and media scholar will engage colleagues and students in nonpartisan, evidence-based research to foster dialogue in the public’s interest. 

August 30, 2023

Blockwood Discusses the Cost of Free Speech in The Fulcrum

"Speech may be free in the form of currency, yet the price we may pay in what follows our words can be steep. And some pay a heftier price than others—a cost often set by mainstream and social media," writes James-Christian Blockwood, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs. 

August 23, 2023

McFate Talks to RadioFreeEurope, VOA News About the Coup in Niger

“This is an alarming trend,” says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs. “The more coups happen, the more success they enjoy, the more temptation there will be for future juntas around Africa.”

August 11, 2023

Executive Master’s Student Named Eisenhower USA Fellow

The fellowship supported Heather C. Fischer’s recent trip to Malaysia and Thailand to study forced labor in global supply chains.

August 7, 2023

McFate Offers Perspective on the NATO Summit and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in USA Today Article

Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, thinks Zelenskyy is in trouble. McFate says Zelenskyy kept pushing NATO countries for increasingly sophisticated weapons on the promise that Ukraine would have a decisive spring offensive. "When the offensive happened, it was summer and failing,'' he says.

July 25, 2023

McFate Speaks With NPR About the Repercussions of the Wagner Group's Rebellion in Russia

"The problem of private warfare is control and accountability. And you have very little of it, especially in a conflict zone. So right now, we have the problem—well, Putin has a problem, is he can give amnesty temporarily to Wagner Group and to Prigozhin," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

June 29, 2023

McFate Weighs In on North Korea’s Failed Military Reconnaissance Satellite Launch in The Independent

Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, says the North's satellite launch is mostly for "domestic political consumption" and unlikely to have a substantial impact. "Kim’s autocracy is legitimized by the 'enduring threat' of the U.S., and this demonstration shows he’s fulfilling his social contract with North Koreans."

June 7, 2023

Sean O’Keefe ’78 MPA Joins Government Hall of Fame

The University Professor and Phanstiel Chair in Leadership was recognized for his public service roles, including four presidential appointments. 

May 31, 2023

Awards of Excellence Honoree: Maxwell Has Been ‘a Guiding Hand’ in Public Service Career

Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70 was one of four alumni honored at the Washington, D.C., event emceed by CNN anchor Boris Sanchez '09.

May 9, 2023

See related: Awards & Honors, Centennial

McFate Weighs In on US Developing Portable Laser Weapons in South China Morning Post Article

“Everyone wants light and portable laser weapons but it’s far off. Essentially, you also need a portable power plant, which is unrealistic…Lasers are more hype than reality, and the U.S. is investing US$1 billion a year to bridge this gap. However, it may go on for years,” says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

May 4, 2023

McFate Comments on China’s Military Capabilities in South China Morning Post Article

Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, says China is far from being able to take the island. “China’s military is not ready to take Taiwan, which is why Xi Jinping ordered the military to be ready to take Taiwan by 2027, if told to do so,” he says.

April 25, 2023

All Star Broadcasting Panel Addresses the ‘Intersection of Entertainment and Democracy’

Award winning broadcasters Van Jones and Bob Costas were among those who took part in a recent Los Angeles event celebrating the launch of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship.

April 14, 2023

Maxwell Celebrates Four Exceptional Alumni at Annual Awards of Excellence

Alumni Bernard Rostker G’66, G’70, Sean Callahan G’98, L’98, Deniece Laurent-Mantey ’09 and Juan Carlos Izaguirre G’06, G’07 will be celebrated at the event on April 27 in Washington, D.C.

April 11, 2023

See related: Awards & Honors

Maxwell-in-Washington Graduate Student Mario Marquez Joins in Call to Repeal War Authority in Iraq

The Iraq War veteran is director of national security for The American Legion and is pursing an executive master’s in international relations degree.

March 31, 2023

McFate Speaks With Newsweek About the Exodus of Wagner Group Soldiers

"Most of the old guard have sought to remain in places like Mali, or in Africa, away from the Ukraine fight, because the guys I talked to before the invasion were not supportive of the invasion," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

March 24, 2023

McFate Talks to Newsweek About the Rift Between the Wagner Group and the Russian Military

"There's an ongoing public split between Wagner and the Russian military, and both sides are looking for symbolic wins," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

March 15, 2023

Blockwood Discusses the Challenges of Selecting Our Nation’s Leaders in The Fulcrum

"Selecting our nation’s leaders is becoming increasingly complex and challenging, but we can make it more effective by ensuring the processes—for elections as well as appointments—reinforce democracy rather than erode our confidence in it," says James-Christian Blockwood, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

March 9, 2023

McFate Provides Stratagems on How To Defeat Russian Mercenaries in Newsweek

"Those who think international law can curb mercenarism are unrealistic. Even if we had solid laws (which we do not), who will go into Ukraine and arrest all those mercenaries? Not the UN or NATO. The market for force resists arrest, which is why mercenaries are the second oldest profession. Now they are back, and we must re-learn strategies to fight this unique form of warfare," writes Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.

March 8, 2023

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