REPORTS FROM MEDILL STUDENTS


Army responds to tragic hospital bombing

John Campbell, the commander of U.S. force in Afghanistan responds to recent controversies facing troops. Continue reading

Did poor US planning prompt Russia’s rise in Syria?

Russia’s abrupt intervention in Syria has shaken America’s influence in the region. Experts and analysts weigh in on how the U.S. strategy eroded the nation’s power in the region and helped give rise to Russia. Continue reading

Senate committee, witnesses; US should provide more aid to refugees

A senate committee meets to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East that many are referring to as “the worst since WWII.” Continue reading

Too early to judge the China-U.S. cyber agreement

U.S and China signed a agreement aiming to stop cyberespoinagee and promote international cyber norms, but many experts say the the four-point plan is symbolic without specifics. Continue reading

White House calls on Congress after Virginia TV shooting

In the wake of a fatal shooting during a live television broadcast in Virginia, the White House called on Congress Wednesday to pass tougher laws combatting gun violence. Continue reading

Experts say retaliation over OPM cyber attacks may be misguided

WASHINGTON — With cyber attacks grabbing the public’s attention, calls for retaliation, especially against suspected state-sponsored intrusions, have escalated. Critics argue that a passive approach by the U.S. government only emboldens perpetrators. Draw a red line, they urge; the massive … Continue reading

Why Mosul matters

The Islamic State’s takeover of Mosul doesn’t mean just a physical dominance over the land and psychological problems for the city’s citizens. An estimated 60,000 Christians fled when the group took over, and those who stayed are under constant intimidation with things like ISIS shutting down schools and destroying rival Shia mosques. Continue reading

War On Drugs, America’s Public Enemy No. 1

I was sitting in a cab with my classmate as the driver drove down the streets of Austin, a neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago, which has the highest number of homicide cases in the city. Continue reading

The CIA’s first coup by themselves

The CIA perhaps accomplished what others could not do 61 years ago in Guatemala. Continue reading

Is war a racket?

In “War is a Racket”, General Smedley Butler focuses mainly on the actions of the United States, but one of his main arguments is that all wars are rackets, in that all wars are “conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.” Continue reading