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In the News: Robert B. Murrett

Murrett Speaks With CBS News, The Hill About the Strait of Hormuz Naval Blockade

“I think the next couple of days would be crucial to see what the [Iranian] response is,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. “It’s going to be a pretty dicey operation, I think it can be carried out, but the next couple of days are critical in terms of how it’s carried forward,” he says.

April 15, 2026

Murrett Quoted in Associated Press Article on the Iran War Deflecting Attention From Ukraine

Washington’s peace efforts are largely on hold while the White House is “totally distracted by Iran,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. The Kremlin has “never come off (its) maximalist demands” for a settlement, and it would take “overwhelming” Western military and financial support for Ukraine for Putin to back down.

March 30, 2026

Murrett Talks to CBS News and Newsweek About the Iran War

“You do have to look at the economic implications, not just in terms of what it's doing to energy markets, but also our allies—the Gulf states—the tremendous hit that they've taken just as a center of gravity, whether it's tourism, the airlines going through there and also for commerce,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. 

March 13, 2026

Murrett Joins CBS News to Discuss the US-Israeli War With Iran

“There's certainly more potential of retaliation. Having said that, their military capabilities overall, which were already somewhat degraded just based upon attacks that have taken place in the last several months, have been degraded even further,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. 

March 2, 2026

Woodard and Murrett Provide Refugee, Military Perspective on the Russia-Ukraine War in WAER Article

“This EU-level response is being replaced by individual country responses, which is withdrawing support,” says Lauren Woodard, assistant professor of anthropology. “In Poland, where many people live, the Polish government this month announced that they would not be extending that temporary protection status to Ukrainians.”

February 25, 2026

Murrett Talks to Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal and 570 WSYR About US-Iran Tensions

“Defining our mission objectives will be key for any use of force again Iran, that is, one which can credibly lead to meeting a strategic end state,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

February 5, 2026

Murrett Speaks With CBS News About US-Iran Relations

“This was a level of killings and suppression which is different in scale from anything we've seen in the last few years of protest movements...and it hasn't really solved any of the underlying problems that exist in Iran, nor the anger that so many of their people have against the regime,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

January 22, 2026

Murrett Discusses Trump's Order to Blockade Sanctioned Venezuela Oil Tankers With AP News, CBS News

While the strikes on alleged drug boats have raised questions about the use of military force, Trump’s seizure of the tanker and other actions against sanctioned entities are consistent with past American policy, says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

December 22, 2025

Murrett Speaks With CBS News About Russia's Position on the Peace Proposal With Ukraine

“I think the big resistance that will probably come out of the Kremlin will have to do with some of what they always describe as the underlying conditions, which is security guarantees for Ukraine, but some way precluding them from joining the NATO alliance, and also some ambiguous language regarding their joing the European Union,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
December 8, 2025

Public Health: A Vital Addition to Maxwell

The department’s transition from Falk College fuels collaboration across disciplines, strengthens research centers, and establishes a hub for population and public health sciences.

December 5, 2025

Murrett Talks to CBS News About Trump’s Order to Resume US Nuclear Weapons Testing

“There's no question there would be some value to having to have some testing of our weapons, especially some of the new developments we've had recently. But it's how you do that and how extensive the testing is something that's open to question,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

November 3, 2025

Murrett Comments to Newsweek on Trump’s Nuclear Sub Posturing, as China and Russia Partake in Drills

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says shifts in nuclear posturing should be “carefully calibrated” and serve as a deterrent. 

August 6, 2025

Murrett Talks to Newsweek About Trump’s 50-Day Ceasefire Deadline for Russia

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says that since Trump's announcement, there is scant evidence that Putin and the Kremlin had modified their maximalist demands—for Ukrainian territory, disarmament and an absence of security guarantees.

July 28, 2025

Murrett Speaks With CBS News, 570 WSYR About the Israel-Iran Conflict and the US

“I would say probably the biggest risk is the duration and the scope of the conflict and the potential that it has for expanding beyond the current parameters in terms of the exchange between the Israelis and the Iranians,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
June 23, 2025

Murrett Discusses Ukraine’s Drone Attacks on Russia in Newsweek Article

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says that from a tactical military standpoint, they were very effective attacks that had dealt a significant blow to Moscow's military machine.

June 6, 2025

Murrett Talks to LiveNOW from FOX, Newsweek About Zelensky's Meetings With Trump, European Allies

“The talks in United Kingdom…represent a pivotal inflection point for the alliance of nations that support Ukraine, and for the prospects for a ceasefire in the months ahead,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

March 4, 2025

Maxwell Student Veteran Draws on a Range of Experiences to Shape Her Future

For Marriler Wilson ’25 M.P.A./M.A. (IR), Maxwell’s ranking as the nation’s top public affairs school and the University’s reputation as a “best place” for veterans drew her to campus. “I thought, ‘This is perfect—a No. 1 school, a great veterans’ program, and it’s not too far from home,’” says the Brooklyn native.

February 28, 2025

See related: Student Experience

Murrett Talks to Fox News About Russia Firing a New Ballistic Missile at Ukraine

“I do think it is a response to the unconstrained use that we have now for ATACMS missiles and also Storm Shadow missiles in the Kursk region of Russia and allowing the Ukrainians to use them,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. “I think what the Russian leadership did with the Oreshnik missile—MRBM—is probably a response to that.”

November 25, 2024

Murrett and Taylor Speak with Fox News About North Korea Sending Troops to Russia

“North Korea and Russia signed a joint military assistance agreement last June and they are pursuing cooperation...In terms of what North Korea might get in return, I think the big fear is that Russia would be sharing more advanced nuclear technology, perhaps submarine technology or other conventional weapons technology with North Korea,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science.

October 25, 2024

Murrett Comments on Israel Expanding War Into Lebanon in Rolling Stone Article

“I don’t think we have the conditions for a cease-fire. The U.S. presence will likely need to remain what it is for the foreseeable future,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. “Shuttle diplomacy can’t move people if they have an interest in keeping the hostilities going.”

October 3, 2024
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