Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
VoteVets Launches New Ad Supporting Josh Turek in Iowa
PORTLAND, Oregon, May 6 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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VoteVets Launches New Ad Supporting Josh Turek in Iowa
VoteVets is Backing Josh Turek in Major Senate Pickup Opportunity
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Today, VoteVets is releasing its fourth TV ad in its multi-million dollar campaign to help elect Joshua Turek to the U.S. Senate in Iowa. The ad, "Early Start," will begin running tomorrow in Iowa as part of an $800,000 ad buy. It will run statewide on broadcast, cable, and satellite television as well as on digital platforms including streaming platforms, YouTube, digital audio,
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PORTLAND, Oregon, May 6 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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VoteVets Launches New Ad Supporting Josh Turek in Iowa
VoteVets is Backing Josh Turek in Major Senate Pickup Opportunity
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Today, VoteVets is releasing its fourth TV ad in its multi-million dollar campaign to help elect Joshua Turek to the U.S. Senate in Iowa. The ad, "Early Start," will begin running tomorrow in Iowa as part of an $800,000 ad buy. It will run statewide on broadcast, cable, and satellite television as well as on digital platforms including streaming platforms, YouTube, digital audio,and on social media.
It features retired Army National Guard Colonel and Iowan, John Oakley, explaining how Josh Turek is a fighter who is running for Senate to end the corruption in Washington D.C., ban Members of Congress from trading stocks, and hold Donald Trump accountable for abusing his power.
Josh is the only candidate for Senate in Iowa who isn't a millionaire and he's not taking a dime of corporate PAC money.
Thus far, VoteVets has run three different ads statewide across Iowa airwaves since March 24th that have introduced Turek as a fighter for working families and the leader Iowans need in these tough times.
Last week, VoteVets released a new poll that showed Josh Turek surging ahead in the Iowa Democratic Senate primary since VoteVets began its statewide communications program, leading his opponent by 20 points (48%-28%). With four weeks until election day, it is clear that Josh Turek is well-positioned for Iowa's June primary.
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WATCH: https://youtu.be/91dF3Nz-AHA
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AD TRANSCRIPT:
Retired Colonel John Oakley: My dog knows that I start early. I enlisted out of high school. I rose to the rank of Colonel. I pushed myself. Born with Spina Bifida, Josh Turek has done that his whole life. Now Josh is running for Senate to end the corruption in Washington. He'll ban Congress from trading stocks. Hold Donald Trump accountable for abusing his power. And he's not taking a dime in corporate PAC money. Josh Turek's a fighter. He is who Iowa needs.
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Original text here: https://votevets.org/press-releases/votevets-launches-new-ad-supporting-josh-turek-in-iowa
[Category: Political]
UANI Applauds President Trump's Launching of Project Freedom
NEW YORK, May 6 -- United Against Nuclear Iran posted the following news release on May 4, 2026:
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UANI Applauds President Trump's Launching of Project Freedom
The Safe Passage Through an Internationalized Strait of Hormuz is Long Overdue
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Today United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement on President Trump's launch of Project Freedom:
"UANI applauds President Trump for launching Project Freedom to ensure freedom of navigation for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway. The
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, May 6 -- United Against Nuclear Iran posted the following news release on May 4, 2026:
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UANI Applauds President Trump's Launching of Project Freedom
The Safe Passage Through an Internationalized Strait of Hormuz is Long Overdue
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Today United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement on President Trump's launch of Project Freedom:
"UANI applauds President Trump for launching Project Freedom to ensure freedom of navigation for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway. TheIranian regime and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have held the strait hostage and for nearly five decades the global economy has endured a massive risk premium for passage through the strait.
"The Iranian regime, the world's leading state-sponsor of terrorism, has threatened, harassed, attacked, and seized vessels for decades. That era must come to an end with the internationalizing of control of the Strait of Hormuz. The safe passage of vessels seeking to transit the strait is the necessary first step. Now it's up to Iran's regime to either allow the peaceful and unmolested transport of shipping traffic through the strait or to face further military consequences.
"Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, around 138 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz daily. Since March 1, 2026, marine traffic data shows growing clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. Project Freedom will ensure safe passage of these vessels."
UANI has been tracking Iran's regime's maritime threats and hostile actions for nearly two decades. UANI maintains a list of such episodes here.
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Original text here: https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/index.php/press-releases/uani-applauds-president-trumps-launching-of-project-freedom
[Category: Energy]
New York Coalition Urges Regulators to Modernize Electric Rates to Unlock Clean Heat Affordability
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 6 -- Earthjustice posted the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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New York Coalition Urges Regulators to Modernize Electric Rates to Unlock Clean Heat Affordability
Coalition flags $170M in overpayments, says rate reform could save households ~$250-600 annually and speed heat pump adoption
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Albany, NY -- A coalition of environmental groups today filed a petition calling on the New York Public Service Commission to fix electric rate designs that unfairly overcharge households that switch to clean electric heating. The petition was filed by Alliance for
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 6 -- Earthjustice posted the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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New York Coalition Urges Regulators to Modernize Electric Rates to Unlock Clean Heat Affordability
Coalition flags $170M in overpayments, says rate reform could save households ~$250-600 annually and speed heat pump adoption
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Albany, NY -- A coalition of environmental groups today filed a petition calling on the New York Public Service Commission to fix electric rate designs that unfairly overcharge households that switch to clean electric heating. The petition was filed by Alliance fora Green Economy, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, New Yorkers for Clean Power, Rewiring America, and Sierra Club.
The problem is not the technology. It is the electricity pricing. At a time when New Yorkers are facing rising energy costs, households that install heat pumps often see higher utility bills - not because heat pumps are expensive to run, but because current rate structures require them to pay more than their fair share of grid costs. The result is a clear mismatch between what customers pay and what it costs to serve them. New analysis from Switchbox submitted with the petition finds:
* Heat pump customers pay about $855 more per year in delivery charges than their cost of service justifies, adding up to roughly $170 million annually statewide
* Only 27% of households save money by switching from gas to heat pumps under current default rates, compared to 72% under fairly -designed electric rate
The coalition is urging the Commission to act through its Grid of the Future proceeding, launched in April 2024, to ensure customers pay their fair share, eliminate overpayments for electric heating customers and establish consistent, statewide rate options that support affordability and electrification, including rates that better reflect lower system costs during winter heating months. Fixing rate design would help accelerate the shift to cleaner, lower-emissions heating by removing a key financial barrier.
Massachusetts is already showing what's possible. Updated winter electric rates helped roughly 140,000 heat pump households each save over $250 this past winter, demonstrating how smarter rate design can lower bills while supporting clean heating.
The petition argues that current rates violate a core regulatory principle that customers should pay in line with the costs they impose on the system. While heat pump customers' cost of service is only about 2% higher than gas-heated homes, their delivery bills are 109% higher on average. This mismatch effectively shifts costs from fossil fuel heating customers onto households that switch to cleaner electric heating, with overpayments totaling nearly $20,000 over the lifetime of a heat pump.
Electric resistance heat customers also overpay by about $873 per year on average under current default rates. These customers are likely to be lower-income, renters, and in multifamily housing. Modernizing rate design for electric heating customers could reduce this unfair financial burden.
Today, New York electric heating customers are overpaying for electricity, while gas heating customers are underpaying, all because of outdated rate structures. The Commission can correct this imbalance by implementing rate design improvements while minimizing impacts on other customers. Even under full adoption, the average bill impact on non-participating customers would be about $2 per month, and this would be a one-time adjustment as rates are corrected. Fixing rate design could also improve affordability for low- and moderate-income households, reducing the share of heat pump households with high energy burdens by up to 15 percent.
State regulators have already directed staff to evaluate rate design as part of the Grid of the Future process, but despite that clear direction, the issue remains unaddressed. Without reform, flawed pricing risks slowing heat pump adoption and undermining the state's affordability, climate, and building decarbonization goals. The Commission is expected to release the next iteration of that plan by June 30.
Quotes from groups that submitted the petition
"New Yorkers should not be penalized for switching to cleaner, more efficient heating. Modernizing rate design is one of the fastest ways to lower energy bills and make it easier for customers to move away from fossil fuels, and the Commission should direct utilities to implement fairer rates." - Erin Murphy, Director & Senior Attorney, Clean Air & Energy Markets, EDF
"Renters, lower income households, and families in multifamily buildings are bearing the biggest burden of this broken rate structure, and those are exactly the people who can least afford it. Massachusetts fixed this, and households saved $250 in a single winter. New York has no excuse for dragging its feet. We call on the Public Service Commission to act quickly to fix these unfair rates." - Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy.
"The current New York utility rate structure is stuck in the past, failing to reflect the reality of modern, energy-efficient heat pump technology. Equitable rates for customers who transition off fossil fuels would reduce household costs, accelerate the transition to cleaner air, and deliver a clear win for both public health and New Yorkers' wallets." - Meagan Burton, Senior Attorney with Earthjustice
"Equitable electrification only scales if it pencils out for families. New York must reform electric rates so heat pump customers aren't charged yesterday's prices for tomorrow's grid." - Alex Lopez, Senior Manager for Regulatory Policy, Rewiring America
"Heat pumps are the most efficient technology for heating and cooling our homes, but current outdated electric rates deny heat pump customers the bill savings they deserve. We are eager for the Commission to address this inequity and improve public health and reduce climate pollution by accelerating deployment of cleaner heat pump technology." - Josh Berman, Senior Attorney, Sierra Club
"New Yorkers are increasingly choosing heat pumps as the most efficient, effective and safe way to heat and cool their homes. But current utility rate structures unfairly overcharge these customers for heat pump operation. The Public Service Commission can accelerate heat pump adoption and better reflect the true benefits of heat pumps to the grid and to customers by advancing new heat pump rates, unlocking a win for affordable decarbonization." - Nicole Abene, NY Associate Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition
"The Switchbox report reaffirms what the state has known since 2019 -- that heat pump owners spend more on energy than it costs to serve them. Now, as heat pump adoption is set to rise with the elimination of gas line extension allowances, this rate inequity is a critical energy affordability issue for New Yorkers that the Public Service Commission must address in a timely manner." - Anshul Gupta, Policy & Research Director, New Yorkers for Clean Power
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About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
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Original text here: https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/new-york-coalition-urges-regulators-to-modernize-electric-rates-to-unlock-clean-heat-affordability
[Category: Environment]
Fordham Political Review Posts Commentary: Steam Challenge
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary by Javeer Khan:
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The Steam Challenge
"Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain't nothing fair."
A profound quote, but who said it? The answer is John Marston from Red Dead Redemption in 2010. A homage to gamers which has grown to an increasingly debated issue, especially due to lawsuits in the U.S and U.K regarding the parent company of Steam, Valve.
Valve, the parent company of steam,
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary by Javeer Khan:
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The Steam Challenge
"Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain't nothing fair."
A profound quote, but who said it? The answer is John Marston from Red Dead Redemption in 2010. A homage to gamers which has grown to an increasingly debated issue, especially due to lawsuits in the U.S and U.K regarding the parent company of Steam, Valve.
Valve, the parent company of steam,is an online store front specializing in video games and associated hardware and software such as the steam deck. Steam has a usage of an estimated 132 million monthly active users accounting for over 10 billion dollars and an estimated 75% market share of the online digital distribution market for video games.
The company is facing an anti-trust lawsuit in the U.K lead by the group Steam You Owe Us. Accusing Steam of excessive prices and anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit is specifically critical of Steam's 30% commission for games sold on its website with the lawsuit seeking 656 million pounds (around 890 million in USD) as compensation.
The campaign was launched by Vicki Shotbolt, a digital rights campaigner originally claiming "It is illegal for companies in the UK to abuse their dominant position in a market." On the Steam You Owe Us website has softened such rhetoric, allegedly due to negative public opinion from gamers. The case is planned to proceed to trial after Valve lost an appeal tribunal to get the case dismissed.
In the U.S, cases have been filed in the states of Washington (Steam's home state) and New York by Attorney General Letitia James. Which echoes many concerns from the U.K lawsuit although the Washington and U.K cases were brought by consumers and the case in NY was brought by the government. The U.S cases focus on "the Steam Community Market. This is a secondary market that allows players to sell their digital goods, like those earned from loot boxes, for real-world money." Essentially arguing that the loot box system is a form of illegal gambling that can seriously harm young people.
There was also a similar case in California against Supercell, the developers behind Brawl States and Clash Royale, also likening loot boxes as a form of illegal gambling in 2021--the case was dismissed.
Although Value argues that in-game loot boxes can be likened to "baseball cards, Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu" saying such collectables have been held as legal forms of chance and loot boxes should be included with them. Valve also was critical of the AG for suggesting the implementation of increased age verification calling such measures "invasive." Along with emphasizing previous studies that showed no links between media and real life violence.
These lawsuits also come while many states have expanded legal online gambling including NY. This has led to the establishment of prediction market apps such as Poly Market and Kalshi which allows betting on a wide range of topics from "will Jesus come back before 2027?" to "will Trump say Low-IQ this week" to "Jeffery Epstein confirmed to be alive before 2027." They have likewise come under criticism for expansion of gambling though are becoming more popular and mainstream.
There are talks of how companies would respond to loot boxes being regulated as loot boxes have already been banned in certain countries. They have also created the X Ray opening system which shows what is in a loot box before opening. This does not change much unless someone chooses never to open a loot box of that type again; it is unsure how gamers would react to such a system being implemented.
There have also been reactions from gamers in support of Steam stating that the 30% commission is industry standard across different platforms. Along with Steam games still being consistently cheaper than those on consoles and many consumers having better user experiences on Steam. For example one of Steam's major competitors, Epic Games--owners of fortnight--have recently had mass layoffs and are engaging in price increase for v-bucks (fortnight's in-game currency) yet having made one of the most successful battle royale games. While Steam record player count keeps increasing and prices remain consistent. Leading some to argue that Steam is simply ahead in the market because it is simply more consumer friendly and caters to developers and users alike.
Although some online have leaned increasingly into speculation of a "coordinated attack" such claims have since shown little to no evidence. Those online have also called AG Letitia James' attempt to prosecute Steam a way of "getting a cut" of the profits as NY has some of the highest taxes in the U.S. Though such claims are unsubstantiated. But it does reveal the distrust of regulators and such lawsuits.
It is also important to note Steam's success has also come from failures of many competitors such as Nintendo and Xbox who both have been facing a struggling year for their respective platforms. Nintendo has been in various legal battles with a game company called Palworld over copyright infringement but Nintendo has been losing various lawsuits and is already disliked by many gamers for aggressive digital rights management (DRM) and heavy regulation of taking down copyright material. Xbox meanwhile has engaged in mass layoffs and cancellations of projects dampening its appeal to consumers also. Last year Electronic Arts (EA), the owners of The Sims, FIFA, Battle Field, and many other AAA games, another steam competitor, was sold to Jared Kushner and others in Saudi Arabia and was already one of the "worst companies in America" due to excessive consumerist tendencies. Taken together it is clear why Steam is one of the largest digital distributors as many others can't compete with Steam.
All this leaves many questions unanswered and many legal questions for the courts to decide which side is in the right. Though better put in the words of Ellie from the Last of Us, will it "Endure and Survive?"
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This article was edited by Abigail D'Angelo.
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Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/the-steam-challenge/
[Category: Political]
Fordham Political Review Posts Commentary: Second Cold War is Brewing in Africa
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on May 4, 2026, by Sahir Sadat:
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A Second Cold War is Brewing in Africa
Buried beneath hundreds of pages of domestic policy, the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 includes a peculiar proposition: "the recognition of Somali statehood as a hedge against the US' deteriorating position in Djibouti." While overlooked, it represents a transformative shift in American foreign policy. Somaliland, at that point, had been regarded as a breakaway state of Somalia, unrecognized by the international stage. In December
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on May 4, 2026, by Sahir Sadat:
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A Second Cold War is Brewing in Africa
Buried beneath hundreds of pages of domestic policy, the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 includes a peculiar proposition: "the recognition of Somali statehood as a hedge against the US' deteriorating position in Djibouti." While overlooked, it represents a transformative shift in American foreign policy. Somaliland, at that point, had been regarded as a breakaway state of Somalia, unrecognized by the international stage. In December2024, Representative Scott Perry introduced the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act, which aimed to establish federal recognition of the nation. In December 2025, Israel would become the first and so far only country to recognize the nation, a move that could indicate that the US plans to do the same.
The status of Somaliland represents a larger battle in the continent between global powers--namely the United States (and the West more broadly) and China--vying for regional hegemony and how these actions both represent important developments and continuities of foreign intervention in Africa.
The Cold War in Africa
African decolonization took place during the height of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union. While international attention tended to focus on proxies in Asia and Europe, the Soviet Union considered African countries as a vital battleground in the fight against Western powers and supported independence movements in the aftermath of World War II.
The United States--under its policy of containment against communism--initially supported other NATO members such as France and Portugal in quelling independence movements in their African colonies due to fears of Soviet influence in these new nations. However, it later shifted its support to anti-communist governments in the continent, often choosing to overlook issues of corruption and economic mismanagement by these leaders.
Though some African countries leaned towards Western or Soviet spheres of influence, many followed a policy of neutrality--refusing to take an official stance in the Cold War and instead encouraging cooperation. In 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement met for the first time in Belgrade, Serbia, with some of the founding delegates coming from African countries, including Egyptian President Gamal Abel Nasser and Ethiopia's Hallie Selassie. Today, the organization includes over 120 members, including every African nation, reflecting the continued commitment of many developing countries to work outside the hegemony of global powers.
Western vs. Non-Western influence in the Modern Era
In the past few decades, China has increased its influence in African countries through economic support. In 2009, it surpassed the United States as the continent's main trading partner and has continued to invest billions of dollars into the continent.
However, the country's most ambitious tool has been its Belt and Road Initiative, an infrastructure project that has since received some form of support from a large portion of the globe, including many African countries. While the program has the potential to massively develop infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population, it has also been accused of serving as a 'debt trap' for developing countries who often struggle to pay back Chinese loans. A recent example was Kenya converting billions of dollars in loans into yuan to cut interest payments in an attempt to cut their debt.
Though it has been in effect since the Cold War, the policy of Francafrique has also defined Western power in Africa. This term has often been used to refer to French influence on many of its former African colonies; this has manifested in the form of military bases and most notably the CFA franc, a currency used by many of these countries which is tied to the French currency (the euro, the franc prior to 2002). While defenders of the currency argue that its use offers countries financial stability, critics point out that this system harms their development using a system intended for wealthier countries. This debate highlights a broader concern that France utilizes a system of neocolonialism in the continent that exploits these nations and the people who live in them.
The backlash against Francafrique materialized when military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger overthrew French-aligned governments between 2020 and 2023, in a wave of broader instability across the Sahel region. The African Union suspended the trio of nations for their coups; amidst unsuccessful negotiations with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), they left the organization and instead formed the Alliance of Sahel States, feeling that the previous group had been inefficient in combatting the issue of extremist violence plaguing their nations.
Ibrahim Traore, the head of this group and the current leader of Burkina Faso, took power in a 2022 coup (his predecessor had taken power in a different coup earlier that year) has particularly taken a hardline stance against France, which included the three AES members expelling French troops. This position has led him to be considered by some as an anti-imperialist icon, even with his regime being considered to be increasingly autocratic and ineffective in dealing with terrorism.
In lieu of France, Traore has increasingly looked towards a new ally: Russia. He has welcomed the Wagner Group, a paramilitary group backed by the Russian government which has operated in several African countries, and worked with the country in the planned construction of nuclear energy plants in Burkina Faso.
Returning to Somaliland, the United States has aimed to establish a stronger foothold in Africa. Rep. Perry's press release during his bill's reintroduction stresses the importance of allying with Somaliland, including access to the Gulf of Aden and combatting regional piracy and extremism. More significantly, it mentions the threat of China and other hostile actors, emphasizing this move as part of a global initiative to maintain authority.
Another key reason for this push is the "deteriorating position in [neighboring] Djibouti," mentioned in Project 2025. A small nation in the Horn of Africa, has maintained an outsized influence on the global stage due to its location at the Bab-el Mandeb, a narrow strait where nearly 12 percent of maritime trade passes through on a daily basis. Many nations including the United States have military bases in the country, and it has been seen as a key Western ally in an unstable region. Recently, the nation has established closer ties with China, especially with its own military base, which has raised concern with the United States and other Western powers.
The United States has also responded to Chinese influence in other ways. It recently increased its investments in Africa to outpace China, and declared Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)--the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to receive this designation.
The Future
China and Russia's growing focus on the African continent highlight their position as being an alternative to Western powers that have long been associated with imperialism, just as the Soviet Union before them. The United States has responded in kind, increasing its own presence to counter them.
The most underlooked part of this conflict is its impact on native Africans. Of the 44 nations that the UN has classified as "Least Developed" based on scores in health, income, education, 32--almost three quarters--are in Africa, with over half of the continent's countries being on this list. In the decades since independence, these nations have continued to battle issues including poverty, instability, and inequality. Amidst the involvement by global powers, it remains to be seen whether all the aid and investment translates to genuine improvements in the lives of ordinary people who find themselves in the crossfire of this geopolitical battle.
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This article was edited by Abigail D'Angelo.
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Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/a-second-cold-war-is-brewing-in-africa/
[Category: Political]
Fordham Political Review Posts Commentary: Bourdainian Method
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary by Sarah Olivia Sullivan:
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The Bourdainian Method
In a world filled with prejudice and division, I often wonder if, as a species, humanity will survive the violence and otherization we perpetuate based on fear of people who appear different from us. Whether this variation is visible through the color of your skin, or if the discrepancy between you and someone else lies in the languages you speak, the religions you follow, or the political identities you adhere to, truly, how different are we from one
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, May 6 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary by Sarah Olivia Sullivan:
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The Bourdainian Method
In a world filled with prejudice and division, I often wonder if, as a species, humanity will survive the violence and otherization we perpetuate based on fear of people who appear different from us. Whether this variation is visible through the color of your skin, or if the discrepancy between you and someone else lies in the languages you speak, the religions you follow, or the political identities you adhere to, truly, how different are we from oneanother? Is there a way to discover these differences while simultaneously recognizing a communal sense of humanity? To answer these questions, I point to (what I refer to as) the "Bourdainian Method." Traveling and experiencing diversity through food, whether it be by sharing a meal with a stranger or simply trying a new dish, we may begin to focus on the connections and the pleasure food (something essential to our survival) brings to humanity as a whole.
Anthony Bourdain, from whom I coined the "Bourdainian Method," was a chef-turned-television personality and author who devoted his career to exploring culture through cuisine. He advocated for movement, "as far as you can, as much as you can, across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move." Bourdain showed many parts of the world, unpretentiously, through the lens of empathy and humility; teaching the world that "it's a privilege to sit at someone's table," try their food (an extension of their culture and history), and hear their story.
However, this mindset is easier said than done.
In a technical age where algorithms dictate much of the content we consume, even in an era of online diversity and globalization, many in "smart societies" (characterized by extensive use of technology and data-driven algorithms) find themselves stuck in echo chambers. "Where users are isolated from diverse viewpoints," and algorithmic biases consistently reinforce preexisting opinions and perspectives rather than challenging them--an execution of confirmation bias and reinforcement theory. Along with the troubles of exposure, broadening one's perspective and admitting ignorance is uncomfortable. Questioning the lens through which we see the world can often leave our foundation of morality, knowledge, and understanding bare. Therefore, although ignorance is detrimental to us as a whole, it is often comforting and stable.
Which is why I propose the following "Bourdainian Method" to simplify and make Bourdain's approach to exploring culture more accessible:
1. Take advantage of the diversity around you. International travel can be very daunting and expensive; however, you do not have to fly across an ocean to taste a different cuisine. You can move "simply across the river" or into another neighborhood and feast upon new delicacies--broadening your palate.
2. Open your mind to the possibility that "the world is filled with people doing the best they can," just as you are. And in that, we may find common ground. The "extent to which you can see how other people live seems useful at worst and incredibly pleasurable and interesting at best...it confirms the basic truth that people everywhere are pretty much the same."
3. Most importantly, "be humble [and] be grateful." A mindset of ignorance is typically a mindset of superiority. Breaking down the walls that separate you from others, while simultaneously being grateful for the intimate experience of connection, allows for a genuine bond that may bridge the gap to understanding.
The violence and otherization we inflict upon one another seem never-ending. It may be a human condition. Even after watching Bourdain bridge the gap between himself and the rest of the world, I am still aware that it takes more than one person to undo what is perpetually dividing humanity. So will we survive this? I am not sure. However idealistic, I wish for people to begin cultivating an environment where we can make an effort to understand one another and recognize what we collectively share, rather than what we may disagree upon.
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This article was edited by Abigail D'Angelo.
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Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/the-bourdainian-method/
[Category: Political]
CAIR Welcomes Pulitzer Prize for Palestinian Photographer Who Documented Gaza Genocide
WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes Pulitzer Prize for Palestinian Photographer who Documented Gaza Genocide
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the awarding of a Pulitzer Prize victory for breaking news photography to Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra, who covered Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Alghorra, a New York Times contributor, won for a series that Pulitzer Administrator Marjorie Miller described
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on May 5, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes Pulitzer Prize for Palestinian Photographer who Documented Gaza Genocide
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the awarding of a Pulitzer Prize victory for breaking news photography to Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra, who covered Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Alghorra, a New York Times contributor, won for a series that Pulitzer Administrator Marjorie Miller describedas "haunting" and "sensitive." The images illustrated the starvation and destruction resulting from Israel's genocide in Gaza since October 2023.
SEE: Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra wins 2026 Pulitzer for Gaza coverage - TRT World (https://www.trtworld.com/article/d4278d0d2739)
The 2026 Pulitzer Prize Announcement | The Pulitzer Prizes (https://www.pulitzer.org/news/2026-pulitzer-prize-announcement)
In a statement, CAIR said:
"We welcome this much-deserved Pulitzer Prize for Mr. Alghorra's crucially important documenting of Israel's genocide and forced starvation of the Palestinian people of Gaza. Journalists have been among the foremost heroes over the past three years of Israel's assault on Gaza. They have exposed the realities of this genocidal rogue state to the world and have successfully dismantled the propaganda and lies it was trying to spread in order to cover up and justify its crimes against humanity."
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-pulitzer-prize-for-palestinian-photographer-who-documented-gaza-genocide/
[Category: Sociological]
