By Cecilia Panella and Srijoni Banerjee History Conflict in Kashmir isn’t necessarily a new occurrence. Since gaining independence from the…
Despite growing confidence, uncertainty remains a key factor in US-China trade talks
By Mariah Franklin Photo credits: Reuters Media BOLOGNA, Italy — In recent months, observers in both the United States and…
Nitze Café
By J.W. Dixon WASHINGTON — It’s 8:50 a.m. on a misty Tuesday and — mother of God — “these snacks…
The Briefing: Nuclear strategy in the 21st century with Francis Gavin and Matthew Kroenig
By Cecilia Panella WASHINGTON — The Alexander Hamilton Society will be hosting a lecture on Tuesday, March 12 with Dr.…
The unsustainability of the INF
By John Fenton WASHINGTON — The Russian use of Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) upsets the status quo established by…
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The INF Treaty withdrawal
By Cecilia Panella and Dani Thompson WASHINGTON — On February 1, President Trump announced not only that the United States…
Jewish studies flourish in Chinese universities
By Jesse Adler NANJING, China — On Christmas Day, at the invitation of the director of China’s National Institute for…
Does a housing bubble threaten China’s economic health?
By Zhang Yaoyao and Amy Bodner Zhang Yaoyao is a master’s student at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center with a concentration in…
Joel Nommick and the man who never came home
By Cecilia Panella WASHINGTON — Last Friday I met a man who told me that he hopes his father had…
Deal or no deal? UK still divided as Brexit deadline approaches
By Danielle Minnett BOLOGNA, Italy —The window of opportunity for the British Parliament to approve a Brexit withdrawal agreement is…
Ghosted by WMATA – SAIS students left on read
In December the SAIS student body voted for DC’s student public transportation subsidy: UPass. Like any truly democratic vote, only…
Europe struggles for consensus on Venezuela
By Gabriela Saenz BOLOGNA, Italy — The beginning of Nicolas Maduro’s second term on January 10 as head of state…
The Briefing: Egyptian Ambassador Yasser Reda
By Cecilia Panella WASHINGTON — On March 7, the SAIS Careers in Diplomacy Club will be hosting Egypt’s ambassador to…
The Briefing: Marta Serafini, foreign correspondent for Corriere della Sera
By Olivia Magnanini BOLOGNA, Italy — On February 18, Marta Serafini, a foreign correspondent for Corriere della Sera, came to…
Cas Mudde: Populism and extremism in Europe
By Lisa Nations WASHINGTON — On February 14, the European and Eurasian Studies (EES) program hosted distinguished Professor Cas Mudde…
The SAIS Review of International Affairs Call for Submissions
The SAIS Review of International Affairs is calling for submissions! Find information on how to submit your work and get published!
The Briefing: Exploring Foreign Policy Through the Creative Process
By Cecilia Panella WASHINGTON — “Exploring Foreign Policy Through the Creative Process” took place on February 21, 2019. It included…
Picking up the pieces: The Kurdish independence movement looking forward
Originally published in 2018 as a larger piece in DEMOS Vol. 1, Article 6,“The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have…
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: The shutdown
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump currently owns the largest government shutdown in American history — 35 days of political deadlock…
The Greek crisis is far from over: Three things to look for in 2019
By Marcus Walsh-Führing BOLOGNA, Italy —— As the political debate in Europe has focused its sights on the effects of…
The rise of rap music in China
By Jing Xuanlin NANJING, China —— Last summer, the question on every young Chinese person’s lips was: “你有freestyle吗？”—“Do you have…
Why disease outbreaks are an international security issue
By Matteo Todisco WASHINGTON — Global pandemics can be as devastating, lethal and catastrophic as the world’s worst conflicts. They…
SAIS student starts GoFundMe to get into classes he already paid for
Following a meeting with the Academic Affairs, second-year SAIS student Barry Cade realized he had sacrificed most of his bid…
“Protecting” Who? Trump’s Syria policy in 2019
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin By Corey Ray WASHINGTON — Of the many criticisms of President Trump’s decision to withdraw…
Film is art, according to the Chinese government
By Jesse Adler NANJING, China — China today is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing film markets. The…
Prospects for peace in Yemen following the Stockholm Agreement
Confidence-building measures have achieved varying degrees of progress, but momentum has slowed By Sam Reynolds On January 30, 2019, Patrick…
SGA – Spring Semester/The Semester Ahead
SAIS students and faculty, Welcome back! We hope you had a great break and are looking forward to the semester…
From the Editors
Danielle Thompson Editor-in-chief @thedanithompson Dear Reader, Welcome back to SAIS! My name is Danielle Thompson, formerly the deputy editor-in-chief, and…
SAIS Europe Professors Weigh In: What to Expect in 2019
BOLOGNA, Italy — The year ahead presents many challenges and opportunities, so TSO Bologna bureau asked four SAIS Europe faculty…
We Are Moving
By Danielle Thompson WASHINGTON — On January 25, President Ron Daniels and Dean Vali Nasr announced that SAIS will be…
The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have to Wait … Again Part 3
Originally published in 2018 as a larger piece in DEMOS Vol. 1, Article 6,“The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have…
The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have to Wait … Again Part 2
Originally published in 2018 as a larger piece in DEMOS Vol. 1, Article 6,“The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have…
America has a long history of shunning refugees
By Olivia Magnanini BOLOGNA, Italy —Deportation of Vietnam War era refugees. The death of a young girl in the custody…
The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have to Wait … Again: Part 1
Originally published in 2018 as a larger piece in DEMOS Vol. 1, Article 6,“The Kurds: Independence is Going to Have…
Cautious optimism: A current outlook for foreign investment in China
By Lindsay Thill NANJING, China — With its growing middle class and population of 1.4 billion people, China has presented…
International vs. domestic streetwear brands: What’s worth the hype?
By Tiantian Shi NANJING, China 一 Ask any hypebeast to name their favorite streetwear brands and they might rattle off…
We’re still waiting for true democracy in Georgia
By Evan Bird BOLOGNA, Italy — It’s been fifteen years since the Rose Revolution set Georgia on its pro-Western reform path and…
“Straight man cancer” in China
By Jing Xuanlin NANJING, China — “You really have ‘straight man cancer’!” Burgeoning feminist movements in China have encouraged many,…
“What are Gaymis?” 什么是“Gay蜜”: An investigation of Chinese subcultures
By Zhou Jie, translation by Mario Colella 2018年10月24日，南京大学人类学研究所邓国基（Chris Tan）副教授应邀来到中美中心，为师生们带来了一场新颖且精彩的讲座——“Gay蜜”：中国济南新兴的“女汉子”及“直女”与男同性恋者之间的亲密友谊。邓国基教授曾在2002年获得耶鲁大学东亚研究的硕士学位，并于2011年获得美国伊利诺伊大学香槟城分校的人类学博士学位。他的研究兴趣集中于社会性别与性，对新加坡、中国大陆及台湾的同性恋群体也颇有研究。 NANJING, China — On Oct. 24, Chris Tan, a Nanjing University…
In Bologna, established refugees pay their gratitude forward
By Amber Murakami-Fester BOLOGNA, Italy — Refugees entering the European Union fell from its peak of one million in 2015 to under 200,000…
The price of perfection in China
By Li Xiaoyu NANJING, China — Another Singles’ Day, the Chinese version of Black Friday, has come and gone. Countless…
Moot court: Practicing international commercial arbitration in China
By Jesse Adler NANJING, China — If you had told me at the beginning of the semester that I would…
The soaring housing prices in Hong Kong
By Chu Chu NANJING, China 一 On Oct. 10, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor presented her policy…
SAIS goes to the ballot box
By Keel Dietz WASHINGTON — The midterm elections may be over, but the horse-trading of election season continues in full…
Not your average grad school band: Lekker at SAIS Europe
By Nirit Hinkis BOLOGNA, Italy — It’s 9:00 p.m. on a Friday and Bologna’s vibrant nightlife is beginning to buzz.…
The final word belongs to Beijing
Hong Kong: Independence and authority in Beijing’s “one country, two systems” policyBy Marco Saracco WASHINGTON — Hong Kong is a…
Italian budget negotiations signal risk; sanctions a possibility
By Caroline Lupetini BOLOGNA, Italy — Italy is playing a dangerous game. Government reforms by Italy’s populist government — the…
Confessions of the unheard: A look into social media anonymity
By Rebecca Rashid WASHINGTON — In early September, a mysterious account emerged on Instagram titled SAIS Confessions. The first of…
Halloween at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center
By Hayden Paulsen NANJING, China — On Oct. 26, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center hosted its annual Halloween party. Festivities included performances…
Fresh ideas needed in US immigration debate
By Nicholas Cohn-Martin BOLOGNA, Italy — It’s somewhat coincidental that only four days after Paul Romer was awarded the Nobel…
China’s royal obsession: How Chinese leaders utilize their royal connections
By Benjamin Miles NANJING, China — On September 20, 2018, a rather unusual topic appeared in several publications in China.…
A call to Congress: raise the cost of election interference, sanction Russian IT
By Ashley Curtis WASHINGTON — Russia’s disinformation campaign in the 2016 presidential election was a shock that forced Americans to…
Why the young Chinese generation is becoming “old”
By Wei Axiao NANJING, China — Once known as the “lost generation,” the members of the post-90s generation in China…
China and the US: the new cold war?
Alexander Rosas is a certificate student at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center with a focus on International Politics. Jesse Adler is a…
Please send apology email
By Danielle Thompson In August 2018, SAIS Career Services replaced SAISWorks, students’ previous online career services platform, with the Handshake…
Professor Hintz releases new book ‘Identity Politics Inside Out: National Identity Contestation and Foreign Policy in Turkey’
The SAIS Observer recently sat down with Professor Lisel Hintz to discuss her new book and her concept of identity…
Acts against the press are an assault on our constitutional principles
By Olivia Magnanini BOLOGNA, Italy — According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) global data, in 2017, 18 journalists…
Three democracies walk into a bar… One leaves broken, another proud, and the last lingering by the door
By John Poor and Sarahann Yeh Political pundits worldwide are mulling over the future of South American constitutional democracy. Years…
Faltering Brexit negotiations trouble Theresa May’s future
By Mariah Franklin BOLOGNA, Italy — Since Britain’s vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, its political situation…
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on modern media and millennials
By Rebecca Rashid WASHINGTON — On Friday, October 19, The SAIS Observer spoke with MSNBC host Chris Hayes, to get…
“Who is going to marry my daughter?” Generational anxieties on display in China’s “matchmaking corners”
By Zhou Jie NANJING, China — On the second day of celebrations for the National Day, a peculiar crowd congregated…
Orientation week at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center 南京大学–霍普金斯大学中美文化研究中心的预备课
By Shen Hao, translation by Amy Bodner 秋天是一个开学季，到处充满了欢声笑语，南大–霍普金斯大学中美文化研究中心也不例外。中心迎来了第33届学生，包括来自全球各地的国际学生，例如美国、丹麦、挪威、加拿大等地。大部分国际学生刚刚下飞机就赶来了中美中心，有点倒时差，不大适应。中心的志愿者热情地接待他们，帮他们把行李搬到双人间公寓。除此之外，志愿者学生还带着国际学生参观校园。桂花开了，整个校园香气扑鼻。 NANJING, China — Autumn signals the beginning of a new semester…
The Briefing: Robert Mundell and Vitor Constancio
By Jonathan Wilkinson BOLOGNA, Italy — On Thursday, Oct. 25, Vitor Constancio will be coming to SAIS Europe to deliver…
Nicholas Hung: Taiwan
Nicholas Hung is a first-year student at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC), working towards a graduate certificate in Chinese and American…
A chat with Nina Jankowicz
By T.J. Sjostrom WASHINGTON — If you have read any authoritative source in the past two years about the Russian…
US uses USMCA to take a shot at China
By Danielle Minnett BOLOGNA, Italy — President Trump’s economic war on China has escalated once again. This time, however, the…
GMO objections in India and Europe lack science: opposition rooted in culture and politics
Source: greenamerica.org By Ritika Sood WASHINGTON — In a three-day summit on science, spirituality, and the environment on Oct 1,…
The Gray Area: A conversation on sexual assault in America through the lens of foreigners
From left to right: Samanta Sharmin Laskar (Bangladesh), Paula Álvarez-Couceiro (Spain), Sol Ahn (South Korea), Andreea Grigorescu (Romania), Khun Nyan…
Cleaning up the Laundromats
By Anthony Meyer This past summer, Danske Bank came under international scrutiny for allowing 234 billion dollars of allegedly laundered…
Alex Cowen: China
Alex Cowen is a master’s student at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC) in Nanjing, concentrating in International Economics. Before coming to…
USMCA: What to expect from NAFTA 2.0
By Danielle Minnett BOLOGNA, Italy — On September 30, just before midnight, the U.S. and Canada struck a deal to…
Does Bernie Sanders have a foreign policy?
By Chris Morgan WASHINGTON — When any speaker makes a stop at SAIS’ Kenney Auditorium, it’s safe to assume that…
The SAIS guide to gyms and exercise studios in Bologna
By Sarah Casson BOLOGNA, Italy — After endless plates of tagliatelle, bottles of lambrusco and pistachio cornettos from Giulio’s Cafe, there…
Italian budget proposal sparks controversy
By Mariah Franklin BOLOGNA, Italy — After months of internal deliberations, the government has put forward a highly controversial set…
“A small, still voice”: Syrian poet Adonis gives poetry reading
By Mario Colella If only we were not that seedling of Creation, Of Earth and its generations, If only we…
China’s Society People
By Jesse Adler and Jing Xuanlin English article co-researched and written by Jesse Adler and Jing Xuanlin. Chinese translation below…
Outreach and External Sourcing Pilot Program
By Cecilia Panella Since its inception, The SAIS Observer (TSO) has operated primarily as a student-driven school newspaper. We’ve produced…
Steak for Maduro, belt for Venezuela
By Mario Colella NANJING, China — Venezuela is in crisis; 2.3 million refugees have fled the country (out of…
Let girls map on International Day of the Girl Child
Editor’s note: The importance of representation for young girls academically and professionally is critical — particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering…
Sam Smith: China
Energy, Resources and Environment concentrator Sam Smith spent his summer in Beijing as an intern for International Rivers, a nonprofit…
The Briefing: Bernie Sanders’ views on U.S. foreign policy
By Sam Reynolds WASHINGTON – A number of leading policymakers and foreign policy experts visited SAIS last month as part…
Wall Walk kicks off Hopkins-Nanjing fall semester
By Tiantian Shi NANJING, China — At the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, a long-standing tradition known as the Wall Walk brings together…
Government lobbying in the US and EU
By Ashley Curtis Image Credit: John Devolle, The Brazilian Report WASHINGTON – Toothpicks are okay – but do not even…
Yongjia Luís Du: Kyrgyzstan
There is a tradition in Kyrgyzstan. When families have guests, they make a big meal no matter the time of…
The Briefing: Strategy behind EU economic cooperation initiatives with Romano Prodi
By Jonathan Wilkinson BOLOGNA, Italy – On Monday, Oct. 1, Romano Prodi will be returning to SAIS Europe to deliver…
A welcome from the Bologna bureau!
Dear readers, It is our pleasure to take a moment and introduce ourselves as the Bologna bureau of The SAIS…
Government applications of blockchain technology: voting, healthcare and border control
By Aliza Berger WASHINGTON – In the past ten years, Bitcoin has gained tremendous popularity. However, beyond the world of…
Mende Thuji Yangden: Bhutan
Mende Thuji Yangden is the first student at SAIS from Bhutan. Over the summer, she returned home for an internship…
Sebastian Dannhoff: Germany
After spending his first year in the Strategic Studies program at SAIS Bologna, Sebastian Dannhoff moved to Berlin, Germany for…
Remembering Kathryn Knowles
By T.J. Sjostrom WASHINGTON – On behalf of my teammates at The SAIS Observer, we are crestfallen about the passing of…
The Briefing: Notable policy achievements of Zbigniew Brzezinski and Madeleine Albright
By Matteo Todisco and Samuel Reynolds WASHINGTON – On Monday Sept. 17, Madeleine Albright returns to SAIS to speak about…
Maria Gershuni: Russia
Maria Gershuni, class of 2019, spent her summer working for the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) in Moscow as an…
From the Editors 2018-2019
T.J. Sjostrom Editor-in-chief Dear reader, It is my distinct privilege to work with such a diverse and talented team of…
Breaking – Reorganization of ERE Program at SAIS announced
ELIZABETH GOFFI WASHINGTON, D.C. – The fastest-growing program at SAIS is making some changes; yesterday, April 10th, faculty within Energy,…
Sexual abuse culture – The SAIS Observer editorial chat
Welcome to The SAIS Observer Editorial Chat. The transcript below has been lightly edited. Lisa (Lisa Martine Jenkins,…
Veterans Group Stages Brief Protest at SAIS’s D.C. Campus
By Patrick Kelley WASHINGTON — Protesters representing the Weed for Warriors Project demonstrated in front of SAIS’s Nitze building earlier…
Is China Splitting From Europe Over Carbon Trading?
by: SKYLAR DRENNEN NANJING – On March 9th Climate Home, an online publication focused on the international politics of climate…
Douglas Hengel on the direction of climate and oil policy, and whether Trump’s election could change the game
By LISA MARTINE JENKINS Last week, Professor Douglas Hengel arrived in Bologna from Washington D.C. for a conversation on the…
SAIS Students Nervous about US Foreign Policy under Trump
BY KAJ MALDEN Donald Trump’s shocking victory in the U.S. presidential election last week finds many foreign policy wonks beginning…
Wear the SAIS Uniform
Over two years, SAIS has given each of us one of the best educations in the world, stimulated our intellect in newfound ways and opened doors to our future careers. It is time to give back for all we have received. Section Editor and former Co-Editor-In-Chief, Tristram Thomas, calls for giving to the Class Gift.
P.J. Crowley on Secrecy and Reporting in the Age of Leaks
Co-Editor-In-Chief Jameel Khan interviewed P.J. Crowley, the former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the State Department. He shared his thoughts with The SAIS Observer on a timely and controversial topic: secrecy and reporting in the age of leaks.
Journalist, Admissions Director and Now Entrepreneur: Nelson Prepares to Set Sail
SAIS alum, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at SAIS Europe Nelson Graves prepares to set sail. Michael St. Germain talked with Nelson about his 24-year experience at Reuters, 4 years at Bologna and his upcoming plan of starting a business.
After 19 Years, SAIS’ Ron Lambert Retires
Director of Career Services, Ron Lambert is due to retire at the end of the semester after 19 years at SAIS and is going to be a trainer at YMCA. Section Editor Selim Koru had a chance to talk with Lambert about his the various hats in his office and the various roles he has taken in life.
SAIS Europe Students Study the Rise of National Socialism in Munich
Twenty one students from SAIS Europe’s World War Two History Club, led by John Dellinger, traveled to Munich to learn about the rise of National Socialism. Nathan Shepura, guest contributor at SAIS Europe, shares the story of the trip.
Glorious Sea, the Sacred Baikal
POLINA BOGOMOLOVA
OPINION SECTION WRITER AT SAIS WASHINGTON
The world’s oldest, deepest, and largest lake, Baikal is a natural treasure and a national symbol of Russia. Unfortunately, until recently, pollution and neglect have virtually suffocated the lake.
SAIS Europe Thanksgiving
KARISHMA CHANRAI
VIDEO EDITOR
SAIS Europe celebrates Thanksgiving in annual feast in the auditorium — and a special guest appearance by the SAIS Europe-pardonned turkey.
La Vita della Vespa: 5 life lessons from driving a Vespa in Italy
MICHAEL ST. GERMAIN
MA Student at SAIS Europe
When I decided to spend my first year at SAIS in Italy, I knew I wanted to live with a host family. I chose my particular host family because they had hosted my good friend’s mom 30 years prior. However, the family’s home is almost ten kilometers outside of the city. In order to help me out, the family offered to repair an old Vespa for me to take to school everyday. So went the plan.
The Changing Price of Motherhood
SAIS Nanjing blogger Rui Zhong looks at how China’s evolving One-Child policy will continue to affect Chinese mothers, attitudes on women’s choices in family planning, and the costs it may place on the expecting.
Details Behind SAIS Finances
Jameel Khan
Assistant Editor at SAIS Washington
The state of SAIS’ financial union is one of sweeping change — contouring on varied issues of budgets, debt, fundraising, philanthropy, new academic programs, organizational restructuring and leadership changes.
SAIS Budget Review
Michael St. Germain
Assistant Editor at SAIS Europe
The arrival of Dean Nasr has ushered in a new era for the school and nowhere is this more apparent than with the school’s finances.
Dean Bonnie Wilson Steps Down
Selim Koru
Assistant Editor at SAIS Washington
The longest-serving dean in SAIS history, Assistant Dean for Student Life Bonnie Wilson will step down at the end of December. In the spring, she will transition to working part-time with the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.
SAIS China Initiative Explained
Tristram Thomas
Editor-in-Chief
In October, Dean Vali Nasr announced Professor David M. Lampton, director of China Studies, would lead SAIS China, an initiative intended to facilitate Nasr’s One SAIS vision for the school.
SAIS Announces New Degree
Nimisha Jaiswal
Editor-in-Chief
AFTER 18 months of planning, SAIS opened applications for a new Masters in International Economics and Finance (MIEF) degree program this November. The degree program is set to take in its first batch of up to 35 students in fall 2014.
‘Tis the Season – SAIS Observer Cartoon
Harken Back to the Days of Baskervile
Joshua Levkowitz looks back at the lessons of Howard Conklin Baskerville to discuss the current P5+1 nuclear talks.
Discussing China’s ADIZ: Potential Benefits for the US
ROBYN GARFIELD Guest Contributor at SAIS Washington On November 23, China unilaterally and unexpectedly announced the formation of its first-ever…
Discussing China’s ADIZ: Reasonable Move for China
Fan Wu
Guest Contributor at SAIS Washington
The latest flashpoint in East Asia is China’s newly-announced Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which covers the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands and significantly overlaps with the defense zones of Japan and South Korea, both US’ allies.Thus, the mainstream media have interpreted it as an extension of both the Sino-Japanese territorial dispute and the Sino-US rivalry in the air.
The Corrosive Nature of Qat in Yemen
SAIS Europe blogger Joshua Levkowitz discusses a little-know social ill that is threatening Yemen: qat addiction. Qat, an addictive, chewable mild narcotic, has driven out Yemeni agricultural production and the plant’s water-intensive production process is pushing the Sana’a towards becoming the world’s first “dry” capital. Yet reform, although necessary, seems unlikely as Yemen’s elites benefit both economically and politically as the plant flourishes.