Maxwell School News and Commentary

“He really was, I think, the right candidate and the right person and the right president for the times. And what happened to his presidency, ultimately I think, those same times overwhelmed his presidency” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.

“What really needs to happen here is for the Biden administration to work with and ensure—with its European allies, with its Arab allies—Syria's territorial integrity, ensure transition to a democratic government, and ensure that all Syrians will be protected,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history. 

“The Roosevelt administration had attempted to reign in the Japanese, particularly by the use of economic boycotts. In mid-1941, especially, the Roosevelt administration had boycotted all sales of gasoline and aviation fuel to the Japanese. Now the idea was that this would be a detterent to the Japanese. It would persuade them to withdraw from China. But ironically, it ended up having the opposite effect,” says Alan Allport, professor of history.

“I think what he's putting out now, at this stage, could be seen as an attempt to nudge the behavior of both Mexico and Canada regarding the border and to engage in what is essentially financial saber rattling. But also, I wouldn't be surprised to see him follow through on this because he is a believer in tariffs,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.