International Politics and the Media

The course will emphasize the Trump administration and the Trump national security team in terms of policy, personnel, and process. We will examine the decisions that relate to war and peace, particularly regarding Russia and Ukraine as well as Israel and the Palestinians. US bilateral policies regarding relations with China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will be assessed as well as the conceptual issues that deal with the Atlantic Alliance and the European framework. Finally, we will explore the possibility of nuclear proliferation as well as US involvement in a war with Russia and/or China. In addition to key geopolitical issues, an effort will be made to discuss controversial articles and op-eds from The Washington Post and The New York Times that treat national security issues. Regional discussions will include the overall situation in the Middle East, the Global South, and the Indo-Pacific. Finally, we will assess each key member of the national security team in order to understand the shambolic nature of Trump's foreign policy decision making.