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We Are Transitioning from Fossil Fuels, but is the Transition Fast Enough?
Brief #170 – Environment Policy Brief
by : Todd J. Broadman
As the world cautiously shifts away from fossil fuels, the pace of transition remains frustratingly slow, hampered by economic and regulatory challenges. With renewable energy sources still struggling to achieve dominance, the need for a unified, large-scale effort akin to a carbon-transition Marshall Plan has never been more urgent.
Putin’s Ceasefire Proposition. Peace or Nonsense?
Brief #147 – Foreign Policy Brief
by: Yelena Korshunov
In a bold move, Putin’s latest ceasefire proposition demands Ukraine relinquish significant territories and abandon its NATO aspirations, a strategy widely criticized as manipulative and insincere. As global leaders dismiss the plan as propaganda, Ukraine remains resolute in its fight for sovereignty and democratic values.
The New York Trial that No One is Paying Attention To
Brief #131 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by: Arvind Salem
Amid the media frenzy over President Trump’s trial, the bribery case against Senator Robert Menendez has flown under the radar despite its serious allegations of corruption involving political favors and substantial bribes. With powerful testimonies and high-stakes political implications, this trial could reshape New Jersey’s political landscape and challenge the integrity of public office.
The Supreme Court Bump Stock Ruling Explained
Brief #226 – Civil Rights Policy Brief
by: Arvind Salem
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court struck down the ATF’s bump stock ban, ruling it an unconstitutional overreach of executive authority. This verdict not only impacts the regulation of gun accessories but also sets a precedent that could undermine future gun control efforts.
AIPAC’s War Chest Draws Opposition
Brief #146 – Foreign Policy Brief
by: Mindy Spatt
AIPAC’s unprecedented $100 million war chest is targeting progressive legislators, igniting a fierce political battle that has united Republican donors and spurred a robust counter-movement from progressive Jewish groups. With high-stakes elections looming, the conflict underscores deepening divisions over U.S. policy towards Israel and the influence of powerful lobbying organizations.
The Murky World Of Sports Betting
Brief #166 – Social Justice Policy Brief
by: Reilly Fitzgerald
In the murky world of sports betting, a $330 billion industry teetering on the edge of legality, the line between fair play and corruption is becoming increasingly blurred. As leagues, athletes, and law enforcement grapple with the pervasive influence of sports betting, the integrity of competition hangs in the balance.
The Tech Companies Feting and Financing Trump
Brief #112 – Technology Policy Brief
by : Mindy Spatt
Despite his controversial legacy, Donald Trump continues to garner significant financial backing from influential tech moguls like Steve Schwarzman and David Sacks. These tech titans, who once voiced their opposition, are now rallying behind Trump, driven by his anti-regulation stance that aligns with their business interests.
Story of Pulitzer winner Vladimir Kara-Murza, an oppositionist imprisoned in Russia: Part 2
Brief #145 – Foreign Policy Brief
by: Yelena Korshunov
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader and Pulitzer winner Vladimir Kara-Murza continues to embody resilience and the fight for democracy in the face of severe repression by the Putin regime. As international calls for his release grow louder, his unwavering commitment to freedom and justice serves as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of dissent in Russia.
TIME FOR A U.S. MIDDLE EAST PEACE POLICY
JUNE OP ED
by: U.S. Resist News Staff
President Biden must seize the opportunity to champion a bold Middle East Peace Policy, recognizing Palestinian statehood and endorsing international legal decisions to restore U.S. credibility. By leading efforts towards a two-state solution and a Marshall Plan for regional reconstruction, the U.S. can foster lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Foreign Policy Brief #141 | By: Ibrahim Castro| May 10, 2024
Featured Photos: www.nationofchange.org, www.nytimes.com, www.opendemocracy.net
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UK- Rwanda refugee deal
In the UK, authorities have begun detaining migrants to deport to Rwanda, a policy the UK high court previously declared unlawful. Rwanda has agreed to recieve asylum seekers for economic aid. The total payment will be at least £370 million over five years, according to the National Audit Office. If more than 300 people are sent to Rwanda, the UK would pay a one-off sum of £120 million, with further payments of £20,000 per individual relocated. The policy has drawn major criticism from human rights organizations and faces major logistical issues, humanitarian concerns, and the possibility that a future Labour party government will scrap it. The UK government has declared Rwanda a safe country to receive refugees, and it is the threat of being sent there that is meant to deter people from entering the UK and attempting to seek asylum there.
Irregular migration has increased in recent years, but it’s not the driver of the problems facing the UK, including its ongoing political, cost of living and housing crises. The law is part of a broader strategy by the Sunak government and the Conservative Party to win favor as they struggle to maintain support in the lead-up to The UK’s national election this year.
Brazil Floods
The death toll from a series of catastrophic floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 83, while 276 people are reportedly injured, at least 111 people are missing, and 121,000 people displaced, according to the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul. Brazilian President Lula da Silva asked Congress to recognize a state of public calamity for the heavy rains. The Floods have destroyed roads and bridges in several cities triggering landslides. Rio Grande do Sul’s governor emphasized that the death toll could still substantially increase as rescue workers gain access to more of the region.
Global military spending
Global military spending hit a record high of $2.4 trillion in 2023 after increasing by 6.8% from the previous year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Military expenditure has been rising for nine years straight, and is up in all regions of the world for the first time since 2009. Russia and Ukraine, which are actively at war, topped the list of the countries that increased their military spending the most, by 51% and 24%, respectively.
The war between Russia and Ukraine also drove military spending higher elsewhere, prompting countries to think differently about their security. Tensions and war in the Middle East also significantly contributed to the rise in global military spending. Spending in Israel, already one of the most powerful militaries in the region, rose 24% to $27.5 billion. US weapons reportedly accounts for some 15% of Israel’s defense budget, although the Biden administration is threatening to block the use of such aid if it is used to attack Rafah. Military spending was not evenly spread out because as the report said, “world military expenditure is highly concentrated among a very small group of states”. The United States remained the biggest military budget at $916bn, representing 37% of the world’s military spending. China came in a large but distant second with $296 billion, and Europe as a whole has seen military spending increase to a total of $594 billion in 2023.
For more updates, articles, in-depth analysis and weekly reviews on Global News, click here.
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Demographic Shifts in the U.S: Challenges and Opportunities
Demographic Shifts in the U.S.: Challenges and Opportunities
Social Justice Policy Brief #164 | By: Inijah Quadri | May 09, 2024
Featured Photo: www.news.virginia.edu
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The United States is experiencing profound demographic transformations characterized by an aging population, declining birth rates, and increased immigration. These changes are reshaping the socio-economic landscape, impacting public policy from healthcare to education, and altering the workforce dynamics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age keeps rising, signaling a significant aging trend. Concurrently, birth rates have also declined to historic lows. Meanwhile, immigrants and their children have been primary contributors to population growth over the past decade. Additionally, the U.S. is witnessing significant racial and cultural shifts, including a decline in the white population alongside increases in Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities. These changes are crucial as they influence societal norms and community dynamics.
These demographic shifts pose significant challenges such as strains on the social security system, a shrinking workforce, and integration of diverse populations, while also offering opportunities for cultural enrichment and economic innovation.
Analysis
The aging U.S. population is creating unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems and social security. Data from the Population Reference Bureau indicate that by 2050, the number of Americans 65 and older will increase to over 82 million, up from 58 million in 2020. This surge demands enhancements in long-term care facilities, geriatric healthcare services, and pension schemes to ensure quality life for older adults.
The decline in birth rates poses potential shortages in the future workforce, impacting economic growth and the support ratio for the aging population. This demographic shift is further compounded by changing marital trends, such as an increase in single-parent households, higher divorce rates, and a rise in mixed marriages. The growing number of single women heading households also reflects these evolving family structures. To counteract these effects, policies such as improved childcare services, parental leave benefits, and financial incentives for families could encourage higher birth rates. For example, countries like Sweden and France have seen some measure of success in stabilizing their birth rates through comprehensive family support policies.
Immigration has been a vital source of population growth and cultural diversity. The Migration Policy Institute notes that immigrants account for significant portions of the workforce in crucial sectors like technology, healthcare, and agriculture, often filling gaps left by native-born workers. Domestically, there is a notable trend of internal migration, with significant movements from the West to the South, Midwest, and other regions. This redistribution is reshaping economic, cultural, and political landscapes across the regions. However, this demographic shift also necessitates robust integration strategies to promote social harmony and maximize economic contributions.
Moreover, the demographic shifts in the U.S. have also become a strategic focal point for political parties, each seeking to leverage these changes to consolidate power. For instance, some Republican factions have responded by taking stances that demonize immigrants and advocate for strict immigration policies, viewing such measures as ways to galvanize their base. Concurrently, efforts to redraw congressional districts—often termed gerrymandering—are aimed at suppressing the representation of growing minority populations in Congress. These actions illustrate a broader trend of political maneuvering where demographic data are used not just to understand and serve populations, but also to shape the political landscape in ways that may benefit specific parties or ideologies at the expense of fair representation and democratic integrity.
The evolving demographics in the U.S. not only highlight challenges but also underscore opportunities to harness a diverse and dynamic population for sustainable growth. Enhanced integration strategies can lead to more cohesive communities and improved economic outcomes. Programs aimed at improving language skills, better recognition of foreign credentials, and facilitating professional integration can play pivotal roles. Moreover, involving immigrant communities in policy-making can improve their representation and ensure policies are more inclusive and effective.
Furthermore, it would be helpful to expand Medicare and Medicaid services to better accommodate the growing elderly population. Innovation in home-based care technologies and services could also be made to reduce hospital dependency and improve the quality of life for the elderly. Nationwide policies that mirror state programs such as California’s Paid Family Leave—which has increased paternal leave uptake rates—and even make the leave period longer. Additionally, programs like Canada’s Express Entry system could also serve as a model for managing skill-based immigration efficiently.
Educational attainment is also evolving, with a noticeable decline in college graduates complicating future workforce predictions. Interestingly, the gender dynamics in education are shifting as well, with more women than men now graduating from college, which could have long-term implications for professional sectors and economic growth.
In conclusion, while the demographic changes in the U.S. present significant challenges, they also offer a unique opportunity to rethink and reshape policies to better suit the evolving needs of the population. By embracing these changes and viewing them as opportunities, the U.S. can ensure a resilient socio-economic future that capitalizes on the strengths of its diverse population.
Engagement Resources
- Population Reference Bureau (https://www.prb.org/): Provides in-depth analysis and data on U.S. and global population trends.
- Pew Research Center (https://www.pewresearch.org/): Studies issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America.
- Migration Policy Institute (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/): Analyzes immigration policies and their impacts.
- Urban Institute (https://www.urban.org/): Researches economic and social policy.
- Brookings Institution (https://www.brookings.edu/): Offers research in the social sciences, focusing on economics, metropolitan policy, and governance.
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TURNING OUT THE YOUTH VOTE
TURNING OUT THE YOUTH VOTE
MAY OP ED | By: U.S. Resist News | May 09, 2024
Featured Photo: www.cnn.com
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President Biden and the Democrats stand at risk of losing the youth vote in the upcoming Presidential elections. Many young people feel alienated by the current electoral contest, featuring a rematch between Biden and Trump seen as aging politicians with few new ideas that appeal.
It would be a mistake for Democrats to write the youth vote off, and an equal mistake for youth to sit on the sidelines in protest. Youth are our country’s future and they need to become engaged (in a positive way) in our political system. Here are some suggestions of steps President Biden and the Democrats can take to persuade young people to vote.
Promote policies that directly benefit young voters: There are several policy positions that can be promoted in ways that support social and economic benefits for youth and society in general. For example efforts to forgive student loans can be prioritized for students who went to schools with predatory lending policies; those pursuing public service occupations such as teachers, nurses and the police; and those young people who come from communities that are economically less well off.
Administration efforts to promote reproductive rights can be targeted to the needs of youth for access to contraception, abortion and IVF information and services. Messages promoting reproductive rights can point out how today’s youth deserve information and support on how to make decisions about their own bodies.
Recent surveys indicate that youth today also are interested in climate change, but want to know about solutions to the climate crisis that will work for their communities. Democrats can speak about what the Biden administration has done so far to address climate change and what it plans to do in a next term.
Take a stronger stand on the Israel/Palestine conflict: Many young people, especially those on college campuses and those from the Middle East, have become engaged in protesting government and university policy towards the Palestinians. They have born witness to the destruction of Gaza and the death of thousands of Palestinians, and believe our government needs smarter policies that address this situation. While continuing to recognize Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, it is time for the Biden administration to take a stronger stand to end this conflict. It should announce it is in favor of an immediate ceasefire, greater humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza, a two-state political solution, and the decoupling of Israel’s military efforts in Gaza from the use of US military assistance.
Implement targeted youth voter registration efforts: The Democratic National Committee and lots of state committees and community-based organizations are planning large voter turnout campaigns for the 2024 elections. These efforts should include a special focus on turning out the youth vote through youth-friendly activities such as social media promotions, youth rallies, and youth-to-youth voter registration efforts
Raise awareness about the dangers of not voting or voting for 3rd party candidates: 2024 youth voter registration efforts should include messaging on the dangers of not-voting at all, or voting for 3rd party candidates such as RFK Jr., Cornell West, or Jill Stein. They should make the point that voting for 3rd party candidates, or not voting at all, could hurt Biden and help Trump. And that electing Trump will likely result in the demise of democracy. Young people should become aware of Trump’s pro-Israel position on the Israel/Hamas conflict, his disregard of student loan forgiveness, reproductive health rights, and climate change.
Convene a youth advisory panel: The Biden Administration should consider the creation of a Youth Panel to advise on election issues pertinent to young voters. Such a panel would have a diverse membership composed of young leaders from different, education, cultural, racial. and socio-economic backgrounds. The panel’s charge would be to advise the campaign on what policies will appeal to young voters, and what activities can help persuade young people to turn out at the ballot box.
Lowering the voting age: The rationale is that youth pay taxes when they work, most carry the responsibility of driving and most are affected by the issue of school shootings, so why not let them have a say by allowing them to vote? Here is a non-profit group’s website on the issue of lowering the voting age to sixteen.
Bring out star power: Youth often are influenced by the views and opinions of celebrities from the arts, sports, and fashion worlds. So Democrats should seek public endorsements from artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, and others. They should participate in voter registration commercials and appear at rallies.
In what many believe to be a close electoral contest, the Biden administration cannot afford to ignore the youth vote. It needs a comprehensive strategy to raise awareness among young people about the importance of the 2024 election and the need for youth to become engaged.
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The College Campus Palestinian Protests: Key Issues
The College Campus Palestinian Protests: Key Issues
Social Justice Policy Brief #163 | By: Courtney Denning | May 03, 2024
Featured Photo: www.latimes.com
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Nearly 1,000 students from more than 50 colleges across the country have been arrested for their involvement in protests over the war in Gaza.
On April 17, student organizers with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) set up encampments in the middle of Columbia University to show their support for Palestinians in Gaza. This movement began the same day that Columbia University’s president Nemat Shafik was called for questioning before Congress due to criticisms that she was enabling antisemitism on campus.
Likely inspired by the demonstrations at Columbia University, student groups at other colleges started gathering to protest Israel’s actions in their war with Hamas. CUAD demands that the university be more transparent with their finances, divest from pro-Israel companies and grant amnesty for protestors. The demands of related movements across the country are similar.
Protesting students have been arrested for reports of antisemitism, trespassing, and disorderly conduct amongst other related offenses. Most recently, on Wednesday May 1, violence broke out at the University of California, Los Angeles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters, resulting in another wave of arrests.
Analysis:
American universities have long been the breeding grounds of social movements and protests. During the Civil Rights Movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was a huge leader in the movement to end segregation, hosting sit-ins, Freedom Rides, marches and voter education projects. Some of the most prominent anti-war protests during the Vietnam War were held on college campuses from Yale to University of California Berkeley.
Organizers and participants in this current wave of protests see themselves as a continuation of this legacy. “We are a continuation of the Vietnam anti-war movement and the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa,” CUAD stated in a statement to Columbia University’s school newspaper.
The Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA state that they organize based on “democratic principles to promote justice, human rights, liberation and self-determination for the Palestinian people.”
Outcries from protesting students have included claims of police brutality, suppression of the right to assembly, silencing of free speech and the targeting of minorities, specifically those who appear to be Palestinian.
One protestor at Columbia posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that police “forcibly removed hijabs from multiple muslim columbia students in jail,” violating their right to freedom of religion.
In the eyes of the organizers, this pro-Palestinian movement on college campuses carries on a legacy of peaceful protests being met with unreasonable, violent backlash from police. The arrests associated with the ongoing protests have also sparked debates over free speech and the limits of self expression on college campuses.
On May 1, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act in response to fears of rising antisemitism amongst pro-Palestinian college protesters. Main critics of the bill claim that this is an attack on free speech and could result in harsher punishments for protestors whose messages are misinterpreted.
This highlights a major conflict underlying these protests: that pro-Palestinian criticisms of the state of Israel are often conflated with antisemitic hate speech.
While the purpose of these demonstrations is to protest a war across the globe, they cannot convey this message without also tackling the domestic issues of freedom of speech and the right to assembly.
Engagement resources:
- National Students for Justice in Palestine, a major organizer of protests and college occupations: https://nationalsjp.org
- Students Supporting Israel, a counter-protesting organization: https://www.ssimovement.org
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Paris Prepares For The Summer Olympics
Paris Prepares For The Summer Olympics
Foreign Policy Brief #140 | By: Reilly Fitzgerald| May 03, 2024
Featured Photo: www.usopm.org/summer-fest
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2024 is an Olympic year. Paris is hosting this summer’s Olympic Games. The preparations for a major sporting, cultural, and political event is no small feat. The Olympic Games, as I have previously written about, is very much a political event that hosts sports competitions between different countries. The preparations for the Games have hit a few hurdles in the last few months. The hurdles that they have hit are concerns over some of the venues, the security implications for the Games and the city itself, and also the reaction of the Parisian citizens to the impacts the Games will have on their day-to-day lives.
Analysis
The Paris Games preparations have had large sweeping implications for not only the games themselves, but for the quality of life inside Paris. There have been concerns, especially over recent weeks, over things such as the water quality of the Seine (major river through Paris); security and safety concerns related to terrorism; and concerns made by the residents of Paris about the daily implications to their lives.
Historically speaking, the Olympic Games (and other major sporting events) are times when the host city, or country, spends a lot of time and money on giant projects. These projects often include the construction of an Olympic Village to house athletes, various venues to host sporting events, and more. Along with these projects have come human rights violations across the globe. For example when Rio hosted the Olympics in 2016 there was lots of evidence of the Brazilian government forcibly relocating people from poor communities to make room for new venues (or to just keep them out of the public eye during the games); the World Cup venues in Qatar were built using forced labor and many people died due to inhumane working conditions. I believe that, to some, there was a hope that France’s turn to host the Olympics would be a break in this pattern; and to some degree, I believe it has been. However, the preparations have not been without their own controversy.
These games are the first post-pandemic era Olympics. France is expecting to welcome more than 15 million tourists; and over 10,000 athletes (excluding coaches and other support staff for national teams). The initial opening ceremonies, a 3.5 mile national boat cruise down the Seine, have sold out with 300,000 spectators supposed to be in attendance (the first non-stadium opening ceremonies ever), according to the BBC.
The sheer volume of people planning to enter Paris during the Games is, obviously, a massive security concern for the French and Parisian officials. The BBC reports that the French government has already screened more than one million people in advance of the games. This is a huge number but compared with the prospect of 15 million tourists coming to the city, it is an understandable concern for the city. The French Prime Minister has recently stated that the government has already been involved in uncovering at least two terrorist plots targeting the games.
Obviously, acts of terrorism are a major concern; especially as Paris has recently experienced several major terrorist incidents. However, another threat looms in a geopolitical context, and that is Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Russian athletes are being forced into competing as neutral athletes under the Olympic flag (as they have done for a long time due to their doping history in previous games) as punishment for the Russian government’s war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has spoken about his frustration that Israel is being allowed to compete under the Israeli flag for the games, even though they have also gone to war against the Palestinians. In the previous few days, protests in Paris have occurred that are demanding that Israeli athletes be forced to compete under a neutral flag, exactly like the Russian athletes have had to do. It remains yet to be seen what will happen, or what decisions will be made regarding the Israeli athletes’ participation. Russia has also, according to the BBC, offered to host the “World Friendship Games” in September as a counter-tournament to the Olympics (the Soviet Union did this the first time in 1984 to boycott the Olympics in Los Angeles), which is beyond ironic even for Vladimir Putin.
The city is hosting Olympic sports events throughout the city, and the surrounding area, with events such as field hockey in the Stades Yves-du-Manoir (a venue from the 1924 games). The marathon road race will take place from the Hotel de Ville (city hall) to Les Invalides (Napoléon’s tomb and military museum), fencing and taekwondo will be in the Grand Palais, the swimming portion of the triathlon will take place in the Seine, and the most remote event will be surfing which will be done in the French territory of Tahiti. So obviously, security will be a concern for all venues near and far.
The other concern is more environmental. The Seine has been tested for its water quality leading up to the games and the tests have shown higher levels of fecal matter than is safe. With some events relying on accessing the water of the river, those races could be in jeopardy. There are concerns that if there are heavy rains between now and the games that the water quality could decline further. The major event to be impacted by this environmental concern would be the men’s and women’s triathlon (potentially canceling the swim portion of that race).
The residents of Paris are also unsure, and concerned, about the daily implications of the games on their lives. It is commonly understood that the metro system in Paris will be taxed during this time to move the residents of Paris and an additional 15 million tourists; impacting the ability of Parisians to get to work and move freely about the city. The BBC reports that over 44% of the Parisian public thinks that hosting the Olympic games is a bad idea for the city.
It is understood that bus and metro fares are going to double during the games. The BBC has also reported that in preparation for the Olympic games, the Athlete Village will be in the neighborhood of Saint-Denis which is a very well-known and fairly poor part of Paris. There are some reports of squatters living in that area have been evicted.
The games themselves should be quite interesting to watch. There are lots of interesting storylines from this being the first real post-Covid Olympic games, to the geopolitical and security issues , to the daily experiences that the circus of hosting the Olympics brings to the everyday people going about their lives in Paris. The stage is set for the largest sporting event of the year, and I cannot wait to see what else happens between now and opening ceremonies.
Engagement Resources
- NBC Iconic Event Locations – https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/grand-palais-versailles-iconic-venues-2024-paris-olympics
- Paris 2024 IOC Website- https://olympics.com/ioc/paris-2024
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Swiss Decision Poised to Break the Dam Holding Climate Litigation Back
Swiss Decision Poised to Break the Dam Holding Climate Litigation Back
Social Justice Policy Brief #162 | By: Devyne Byrd | May 01, 2024
Featured Photo: www.vox.com/world-politics
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The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland violated human rights by failing to protect its citizens from the negative effects of climate change. The case was brought by four Swiss women on behalf of 2,000 older women who complained of health problems that were being exacerbated during the heat waves caused by climate change. The ruling agreed, stating that the Swiss Confederation had duties under the Convention to protect its citizens from climate change including concerns about national greenhouse gases, emissions limitations, and carbon.
There are reasonable concerns that the Court does not have the power to enforce the verdict; however, the ruling sets a clear precedent that in the Council of Europe, countries have an affirmative duty to address climate issues. Experts also expect it to lead to similar cases before international courts as the climate crisis continues and climate litigation remains a prominent method for forcing governments into action.
Similar climate litigation is pending in the United States as Juliana v. United States continues on its path to the Supreme Court. The suit was first filed in 2015 by 21 young Americans, asserting that the U.S. government had violated younger generations’ constitutional rights through their actions that were causing climate change. However, the Department of Justice has significantly postponed the case from being heard through filing motions to delay and dismiss. The plaintiffs are now awaiting a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after nine years.
On the state level, the District Court of Montana issued the historic ruling in Held v. State that the State of Montana violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system that contributed to climate change. The Court held that the state of Montana violated the youth’s constitutional rights, including their rights to equal protection, dignity, liberty, health and safety, and public trust, which are all based on their right to a clean and healthful environment. The court also invalidated state laws that promoted fossil fuels and required the State to ignore the climate change the fossil fuel-driven laws were causing. The case is currently preparing to be heard before the Montana Supreme Court following the defendant’s appeal, but the victory was momentous as one of the first U.S. states to recognize governments are liable to their citizens for environmental harm.
As the climate crisis worsens, climate litigation remains a powerful tool citizens are using to force their governments into action. The European Court of Human Rights decision will likely spur similar cases throughout Europe and on a global scale and set the precedent that governments can be held accountable for not taking affirmative actions to protect their citizens from climate change.
Engagement Resources
- European court rules Switzerland’s climate inaction violated human rights – An article discussing the ruling in the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland and its potential global impact.
- Climate Gets Its Day in Court – An article summarizing the procedural history of Juliana v. United States and the importance of the court agreeing to hear it.
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The Vital Role of Immigration is at a Crossroads
The Vital Role of Immigration is at a Crossroads
Social Justice Policy Brief #161 | By: Inijah Quadri | May 01, 2024
Featured Photo: www.fastcompany.com
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The United States has historically been seen as a land of opportunity, attracting millions of immigrants who seek a better life and contribute to the nation’s prosperity. The multifaceted impact of immigration extends across economic growth, cultural enrichment, and workforce development, crucially shaping the American landscape. Immigrants not only bring diverse skill sets that complement the native workforce but also drive innovation and create new businesses at rates disproportionately higher than their native-born counterparts.
Analysis
Currently, about a thousand immigrants cross the southern border on some days, a figure that seems large but is consistent with historical influxes during other peak periods of immigration. However, the economic and social structures they enter today are vastly different, posing new challenges and opportunities for integration.
Despite their large number, immigrants are proving indispensable to the U.S. economy, integrating into all sectors and often taking on roles that are in high demand. As per a recent Forbes report, immigrants constitute approximately 17% of the U.S. workforce, yet they are foundational in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and agriculture, which are pivotal to the country’s economic health and competitiveness on a global scale. Furthermore, immigrants are responsible for a significant share of business creation. For example, a recent report from the National Foundation for American Policy highlights that immigrants founded 55% of the U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more, underscoring their role as key drivers of economic innovation.
Innovation, particularly in technology and the sciences, is another domain where immigrants have made substantial impacts. According to a publication by the National Bureau of Economic Research, immigrants contribute to nearly one-quarter of patents filed in the United States, which is indicative of their role in propelling technological advancements. Companies like Google, eBay, and Tesla, all of which were founded or co-founded by immigrants, have not only reshaped their respective industries but also the entire global market. Beyond economics, immigrants enrich the cultural tapestry of the nation, bringing new perspectives that enhance artistic, culinary, and social practices. This diversity fosters a broader cultural understanding and helps build bridges across communities, strengthening the social fabric of the nation.
But it is not all rosy. On the employment front, the reality for many immigrants, especially those entering through less formal routes, involves navigating a complex landscape of employment opportunities. A few immigrants obtain work permits and find employment in sectors like technology and healthcare, contributing significantly to these fields. However, many, particularly undocumented workers, do not get authorization to work and may end up in lower-wage jobs or the informal economy. Jobs such as migrant farm work, house cleaning, and construction often do not require formal employment status, creating an underground economy that, while vital, leaves workers vulnerable and without legal protections. The tragic incident in Baltimore, where a number of illegal immigrants lost their lives while working on a bridge, underscores the precarious nature of such employment and the urgent need for comprehensive immigration and labor reforms.
With native birth rates declining in many developed countries, including the U.S., immigrants play a critical role in maintaining demographic sustainability. They help balance the population’s age structure, which is vital for supporting an aging workforce and sustaining social security systems and public services. This demographic contribution is crucial in areas experiencing population decline, where immigrants have revitalized communities and spurred economic activity.
While the benefits are substantial, the challenges of immigration—including integration difficulties, legal complexities, and varying public perceptions—require careful and considerate management. Sure, immigrants continue to play an essential role in the U.S. economy, but modern dynamics present unique challenges that can impede their integration and acceptance. Today’s digital and media landscape often amplifies negative perceptions, which may overshadow the critical contributions of immigrants. This phenomenon raises important questions about societal acceptance and the real barriers to integration immigrants face in today’s economic and social structures.
Effective immigration policy should therefore not only address security and economic interests but also aim to optimize the benefits of immigration while ensuring fair and humane treatment of all individuals. Public perception should also be worked on, and migrants should be viewed increasingly as the hardworking people that many of them are.
Efforts to reform immigration laws, such as the proposed changes in various U.S. immigration policy reform bills, highlight the need to create more efficient pathways for legal immigration and provide clearer routes to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Such measures promise to enhance both the individual well-being of immigrants and the overall prosperity of the country.
Engagement Resources:
- American Immigration Council (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/): Offers extensive research and policy analysis on the role of immigrants in the American economy.
- National Foundation for American Policy (https://nfap.com/): Provides insightful research on the economic and cultural benefits brought by immigrants.
- Migration Policy Institute (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/): An independent source of analysis on U.S. and global immigration policies.
- New American Economy (https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/): A coalition advocating for immigration reforms to benefit the U.S. economy.
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (https://www.ilrc.org/): Supports the education and advocacy of immigrant rights.
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Why is Iran attacking Israel?
Why is Iran attacking Israel?
Foreign Policy Brief #139 | By: Arvind Salem | April 26, 2024
Featured Photo: www.msnbc.com
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In the midst of conflict between Israel and Gaza, tensions rose as Israel and Iran are now trading attacks. The two historical enemies have usually traded barbs on the international stage and attacked each other through proxies or involvement in other countries, but this is the first time that they are attacking each other directly.
Like most of Israel’s current offenses, this one goes back to the attack on October 7th, which was perpetrated by Hamas: a proxy group of Iran. After launching an offensive in Gaza meant to eradicate Hamas, Israel is now beginning to fight the interests behind Hamas: Iran themselves.
On April 1, Israel launched a strike that killed several senior Iranian commanders at Iran’s embassy complex in Syria. They were fairly confident that Iran would not retaliate in a serious way, so confident that they only told the US, their biggest ally, about the strike moments before it happened. However, this proved to be a miscalculation as Iran launched a retaliatory barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel. However, Israel, working with a U.S.-led international coalition led by the United States, said it intercepted 99% of the incoming fire, though some missiles landed, damaging an Israeli military base and wounding a young girl. Israel recently responded with a strike that hit a military air base near the city of Isfahan. However, after this strike, both sides had very tempered responses, indicating that they did not seek to escalate tensions further.
Policy Analysis:
World Leaders are putting their attention on this evolving conflict as a full scale war would be disastrous for a region that is already being devastated by the conflict in Gaza. The Group of 7, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, is devoting a meeting towards addressing ways to de escalate this issue and other world leaders, like Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi, are calling for a quick de escalation and a renewed focus on the situation in Gaza.
Fortunately, the tensions don’t appear that they will escalate: mainly because no side has any incentive to escalate tensions at this point. The United States, Iran, and Israel are in the unique position where they could all credibly claim victory. Iran can say it has attacked Israel, Israel can say that they attacked Iran and subsequently defended themselves from a counterstrike, and the United States can say that they defended Israel and deterred Iran from further escalating. With such a stable combination of incentives, the situation is unlikely to escalate further. In any other situation, this delicate balance will be upset. More attacks from Israel will risk harming their already poor international reputation. If Iran attacks, it will lead to them getting in a fight with the United States, and likely the rest of the G7, which is something that they are not equipped to deal with. The United States, although not in a position of agency, has in interest in maintaining their position as a fair international diplomat and authority in these negotiations to further boost their international credibility as threats from China and Russia threaten to destabilize that position.
In the future, things will likely revert back to how they were before: Israel will likely renew their focus on their offensive in Gaza, Iran will try to assist their proxies in the region, and the United States will try to strike the fine balance between supporting Israel while being conscious of international human rights considerations and perhaps negotiating some sort of compromise.
Engagement Resources:
- Alliance for Middle East Peace, This is an organization that seeks to promote peace in the Middle East, especially between Israel and Palestine in light of the current situation. Readers who are worried about destabilization in the region may be interested in this organization.
- The Road to Recovery, The Road to Recovery is an Israeli association of volunteers that helps vulnerable people in Gaza and the West Bank get treatment in Israeli hospitals. Readers who are worried about continued conflicts in the region and its humanitarian implications for Gaza may be interested in this organization.
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Women’s Health Research Gets Its Priorities Straight
Women’s Health Research Gets Its Priorities Straight
Health and Gender Policy Brief #173 | By: Abigail Hunt | April 24, 2024
Featured Photo: www.twitter.com
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On March 18th, 2024, President Biden signed an executive order requiring medical treatment for women will be based on research with female study participants and subjects. It was not until Gen X hit their teens that the scientific fields acknowledged the need to study an entire population they had been treating half-blind for centuries – women.
Throughout history, women made discoveries and used their brilliance to change the world. Some by publishing research under a man’s name, like Mileva Marić-Einstein, Albert Einstein’s first wife, who actually obtained higher marks than Albert in testing in physics class. By Albert’s own admission, Mileva kept him focused on research. Some women influenced society and furthered progress through skilled communication and subtle maneuvering, like Eleanor Roosevelt did as First Lady, although FDR is lauded for her accomplishments.
The erasure of women from history facilitates the furthering of the invisibility of women today. Everyone on this earth was carried in utero by a biological female; everyone has a mother. Despite the pivotal importance of being the primary providers of propagation and tutelage of the human race – of single parents across the globe, 84 percent are women – health care for women in the United States is abysmal.
In a 2003 study by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), researchers’ failure to verify subjects’ cause of death led to a much higher maternal mortality rate than the reality. The overall maternal mortality rate for the U.S. from 2018-2021 averaged 10.4 per 100,000 live births, but the NCHS study claimed the rate was more than twice that – 23.6 per 100,000 live births. Despite the lower actual numbers, according to CIA.gov the U.S. still comes in at the 122nd worst on a global ranking for maternal mortality rates, bested by 64 countries, including Lebanon, Latvia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, among others.
Analysis
The errors made in the aforementioned calculations are perhaps an apt example of the vast deficits in our female-focused research. For example, amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is the second leading cause of death for women in the time just before, during, and after childbirth. Fifty percent of those with AFE die within the first hour. It affects one in every 40,000 births in North America. Most women have likely never heard of this condition, and probably no one has taught them about it. This author has been through that process with three children, and I learned about it by happenstance. Because men are the ones doing the research, they perhaps do not consider problems which only women face, meaning there are huge gaps in knowledge, an Achilles’ heel in our health care system.
Since its beginnings, biomedical scientific research was carried out by male scientists who studied only male subjects. Although currently about half of the population is female, there is significant gender bias against women in research. It is also true that men go understudied in certain areas of science; the disparity men face in gender bias occurs less often. This legislation guaranteeing female-focused research is progress in the right direction.
One cannot discuss women’s health while ignoring abortion access as part of the discussion – to do so would perpetuate the same patriarchal ignorance which has detrimentally affected women’s health in this country since its inception. Like most things in life, this story of progress in women’s health care is convoluted. Since the summer 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the pivotal SCOTUS case which resulted in federal legal protection for abortion access for the next almost half a century, several states have outlawed abortion access entirely. Should a total federal abortion ban, for which many conservative politicians advocate, come to pass, it would result in a 21 percent increase in the maternal mortality rate. Zealots are calling for women who seek abortion to face the death penalty. Women face dire consequences should a pregnancy end in anything other than a live birth; nowadays, women who have spontaneous miscarriage face interrogation and suspicion at a time when they should be given comfort and consolation. For women, the reality is a nightmare dystopia akin to Gilead. One half-expects to see red robes and white bonnets materializing in grocery markets. In a world where politicians advocate for women to face the death penalty for abortion, Biden’s announcement reads like lip service.
Engagement Resources
- Kheyfets, A., et al. The impact of hostile abortion legislation on the United States maternal mortality crisis: a call for increased abortion education. National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. December 5, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10728320/
- Long, C. Biden signs executive order on advancing study of women’s health while chiding ‘backward’ GOP ideas. AP News. March 18th, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/biden-executive-order-womens-health-0b6ac1fb1d6f041a4e24b70d2e50d5c2
- Chavda, K., Nisarga, V. Single Parenting: Impact on Child’s Development. Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. August 5, 2023. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09731342231179017#:~:text=Among%20the%20single%20parents%20in,and%20the%20family’s%20economic%20survival.
- Joseph, K.S., et al. Maternal mortality in the United States: are the high and rising rates due to changes in obstetrical factors, maternal medical conditions, or maternal mortality surveillance? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. April 2024. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(24)00005-X/fulltext
- Haftel, A., et al. Amniotic Fluid Embolism. National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559107/#:~:text=Amniotic%20fluid%20embolism%20(AFE)%20is,fluid%20enters%20the%20maternal%20bloodstream.
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The Full Saga of the Mayorkas Impeachment
The Full Saga of the Mayorkas Impeachment
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #128 | By: Arvind Salem | April 23, 2024
Featured Photo: www.thehill.com
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On April 17th, 2024, the historic impeachment trial of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the first time in nearly 150 years that a Cabinet secretary was impeached, came to a quiet end. After a protracted political fight, resulting in impeachment in the House, the Senate dismissed the Articles of Impeachment without holding a trial.
In February, the House impeached Mayorkas after a nearly year-long impeachment inquiry. The inquiry resulted in House Republicans impeaching Mayorkas on two articles of impeachment: willfully ignoring the law and breaching the public’s trust. The House alleged that Mayorkas willfully ignored the law by not complying with immigration law, citing a decision to release migrants after they arrived at the southern border. This technically violates a law that requires the detention of all migrants entering the country; however, no administration in the history of the country has detained all migrants that entered the country because it is extremely hard to catch all migrants crossing the border and the United States does not have sufficient space to detain people as they await immigration hearings. The House also said that Mayorkas breached the public trust by lying to Congress when he testified that the border was “secure”. This technically does not meet the definition of Secure under the Secure Fence Act, which says the standard for security is met when not a single person or good wrongly crosses the border.
After Mayorkas was impeached in the House, the matter of deciding whether he would be removed from office was the responsibility of the Senate. Very few would expect the Democrat-controlled Senate to actually convict Mayorkas. However, the Senate took the extra step of dismissing the articles of impeachment without actually going through with the trial, arguing that the impeachment was unconstitutional. Their argument rested on the fact that this impeachment effort was motivated by policy disagreements with the Biden administration’s border policy and not because Mayorkas’s actions met the Constitutional standard of “high crime or misdemeanor” that would merit impeachment. In party-line votes of 51-48 and 51-49 for the first and second articles respectively, with Senator Murkowski voting “present” for the first vote, the Senate dismissed both impeachment articles.
Republicans were incensed that the Senate did not even bring the impeachment to a trial, arguing that this creates the dangerous precedent that the Senate can simply disregard their constitutional duty to try impeachments: with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calling this a “very unfortunate precedent” and observing that “this is a day that’s not a proud day in the history of the Senate.” Of course, McConnell did not bother to address the apparent contradiction of his current position to his position in 2021, when he voted in favor of the unsuccessful Republican effort to dismiss President Trump’s impeachment in 2021. For his part, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded that the Senate was obligated to set the precedent that impeachment should not be used to resolve policy disagreements, and should be reserved for more serious matters.
Policy Analysis:
Although Republicans lost this battle, the outcome of the war is yet to be determined. With a Democratic majority, there is no way that Republicans expected to reach the 67 votes needed to actually remove Mayorkas from office, especially after they barely united their fractured House caucus to adopt the articles of impeachment (they passed by a 214-213 vote). It is much more likely that this was a political calculation to hit an issue area that is weak for the Biden campaign ahead of the 2024 election, and attempting to put the very same immigration issue that catapulted Trump to victory back in the spotlight ahead of the election. This calculation is well-informed: Republicans are traditionally perceived as stronger on the border, with a September 2023 NBC News poll, finding that 50% of voters trust Republicans on the issue compared to just 20% trusting Democrats.
The Republican effort to put this issue at the top of the public mind also seems to be working, with a Wall Street Journal poll just last month, in the midst of the Mayorkas impeachment, finding that immigration was either one of the top two issues on voters’ minds in seven important swing states, including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. This inquiry-based approach to cast doubts on a President’s policy has worked in the past. Research from political scientists Douglas Kriner and Eric Schickler has found that if legislators spent 20 days per month on public policy investigative hearings, the president’s approval rating could drop by 2.5 percent. Senate Democrats have likely blunted much of the political impact of this impeachment by dismissing it so early, and in doing so, may have saved the election, while Trump is mired in his legal scandals.
However, broadly, the devolution of impeachment into a politically-motivated procedure used to win an election is a deeply disturbing development. Once a serious seldom-used procedure, it has become more and more common: morphing into a somewhat routine procedure that has lost its former weight. In this situation, it was Republicans abusing the system, but there have likely been offenses by both sides to devalue impeachment, a process central to the structural integrity of our democracy.
Engagement Resources
- Joe Biden for President, Those who agree with the Biden immigration policies that Mayorkas carried out and want to ensure his election, may wish to contribute to his campaign for President.
- FAIR, FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, is a nonpartisan, public-interest organization that seeks to evaluate policies and develop solutions to reduce the impact of excessive immigration on all facets of the nation including security, the economy, and healthcare. Readers who are interested in immigration policy and want to hear policy-based solutions to the immigration crisis may be interested in this organization.
- American Immigration Council, The American Immigration Council works to ensure due process for all immigrants by increasing access to legal counsel for immigrants and using the legal system to ensure fair treatment for immigrants. Readers who are worried about the effects of the political momentum to tighten the border on more vulnerable immigrants may be interested in this organization.
- GDAMS 2024 Statement · War Costs Us The Earth
Stay in-the-know! Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to help protect democracy and empower citizenship.