November 2018 - Brian F. Bridgeforth

Russia Escalates Tensions with the Ukraine by Seizing Ships

November 30, 2018

Russia escalated tensions in its ongoing campaign against the Ukraine by confiscating two Ukrainian military vessels and a tug boat that tried to enter the Azov Sea through the Kerch Strait in Crimea on November …

The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the U.S./Saudi Relationship

November 25, 2018

The journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to finalize a divorce before he was due to be married to a new wife the following day. His fiancée …

Congo’s New President: Félix Tshisekedi

February 9, 2019

The Democratic Republic of Congo finally has a new leader after years of misrule by Joseph Kabila. On January 24, Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in as the country’s new leader, however, his legitimacy is a ...
Thomas Jefferson and Monticello

January 17, 2019

One of the pleasures of growing up and living in Virginia is being surrounded by its great history which has had a profound effect on not only the course of the United States, but also ...
Emmanuel Macron Versus the Yellow Vests

January 15, 2019

Emmanuel Macron, the bulwark against populist nationalism in Europe, is facing the biggest test of his presidency so far. After 18 months of positive reforms, including rolling back the incentive-killing high taxes that France and ...
Illegitimate: Nicolás Maduro Sworn In for a Second Term

January 13, 2019

Venezuela slid deeper into the abyss this past week as Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for his second term as president on January 10. Most countries in the region and hemisphere believe Maduro’s rule is ...
Trump Faces a New Congress Amidst a Government Shutdown

January 5, 2019

January 3 saw a new congress sworn in in Washington that represents the results from November’s midterm elections which saw devastating losses for Republicans. While the GOP maintained their control of the Senate and gained ...