World Cultures Explainer Series

The Israel-Palestine Conflict Overview: A Two-State Solution?

Anjali Layman is a sophomore at Northeastern University, double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a pre-law focus. Passionate about global relations, she is committed to exploring the intersections of law and international policy. Anjali gained valuable experience as an intern with the United Nations of Outer Boston, where she conducted research on UN Sustainable Development Goals and created educational materials for middle school students. Currently, she serves as an NU Votes Ambassador, promoting voter engagement on campus, and previously worked as a poll worker during the primary elections. She is also an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, reflecting her strong interest in pursuing a legal career. Her dedication to global affairs inspired her to study abroad in London and participate in a Dialogue of Civilizations program on the Balkan Wars in Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. She will continue her international education in Thailand next fall. These experiences have deepened her commitment to public service and law, leading her to her current co-op at Jeffery Golkin Partners in New York City, where she is gaining valuable legal experience.

How did Sudan Descend into a Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis?

Julia Evers is a second-year student from Medway, Massachusetts pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Affairs. With a strong passion for global affairs, Julia is greatly interested in international relations and diplomacy, security and resilience studies, and the legal field. Beyond academics, she works as a campus leader as a Husky Ambassador and prioritizes service and community engagement as a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Julia is excited to explore her interests on a Dialogue of Civilizations program where she will study climate resilience in Bali, as well as on her upcoming co-op where she will work in ethics and compliance at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.

What Makes Switzerland Neutral, and How is This Policy Changing in Recent Years?

Abby Coca is an undergraduate at Northeastern University studying Political Science and International Affairs, with a minor in Law and Public Policy. Her interests in global governance and developing international relations have been driven by her summer spent in Geneva, Switzerland, working as a visiting research fellow at the United Nations headquarters. Witnessing live diplomatic efforts taking place firsthand and speaking with ambassadors from Switzerland and around the world have inspired her curiosity in the notion of armed neutrality, and conflicts as a whole. On campus, Abby is involved in Husky Ambassadors, Phi Alpha Delta, the international pre-law fraternity, and Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society. She is eager to continue her studies in international law and is currently on co-op at Goodwin Procter.

The Kremlin’s New Digital Frontier: How Globalization Revived Soviet Active Measures in the Modern Era

Maxwell Goodman, a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, studies History and International Affairs at Northeastern University with a minor in Russian Language. His academic interests center on Soviet and post-Soviet political culture, and the strategic use of media, language, and propaganda in shaping state power and public memory. A classically trained violinist, he studies at the New England Conservatory and will continue his Russian studies this summer at the Middlebury Language Schools. As a 2025 Jeffrey Burds Fellow, Maxwell will be assisting Professor Erina Megowan on research into Soviet war journalism and cultural propaganda during World War II.

A New Era of Protectionism and What it Could Mean for the Future Landscape of International Trade

Tamarron Austin is a first-year student studying economics and physics, with a keen interest in addressing socioeconomic challenges through his academic work. Growing up in a community impacted by these issues has had a considerable influence on his studies and aspirations. He is particularly interested in how economic policy and scientific research can work together to underpin sustainable economic development.

Geopolitical and Historical Motivations Behind the War in Ukraine

Ben Henschel is an undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Spanish and Communication Studies with a minor in History. On campus, he is a peer tutor, a session leader with the Northeastern Culture and Language Learning Society, and a member of Sigma Delta Pi, a national collegiate Spanish honors society. As a passionate social science student, Ben participated in Northeastern’s Dialogue of Civilizations program in Spain, studying the country’s regional political conflicts. Ben has also pursued a co-op in Guatemala as the Education Leadership Intern at a K-9 school, as well as a semester abroad studying in Madrid, Spain.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Implications on Global Geopolitics and Trade

Theodore Gray is a rising 3rd-year student from Ipswich, Massachusetts, studying International Affairs and Economics. Growing up in a historical town naturally drove Theodore’s interests towards government and social issues. His interest in International Affairs was first piqued by spending the summer before high school in Beijing, where he witnessed the Trade War with the United States from a non-American perspective, realizing the complexity and importance of international relations and its direct intersection with trade and economics. China, as the rising preeminent global actor, has remained of particular academic interest to Theodore, and his other interests center on development economics and social justice in global trade. Outside of class, Theodore enjoys socializing with his peers, engaging with his campus community, and spending time outdoors, particularly on the water. Theodore will be co-oping this fall in the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Why is Saudi Arabia Spending Billions on Sports?

Matthew Martucci is an undergraduate at Northeastern University and is a double major in International Affairs and Cellular and Molecular Biology. He believes that the intricate and complex world of international relations and geopolitics is one to be analyzed, respected and improved upon to create a better global society. In addition to writing about global policy Matthew has interned as a representative of the Borgen Project to garner support for poverty-reduction legislation and the International Affairs budget. When he is not involved in international affairs Matthew enjoys learning new languages, traveling and exploring other cultures, and his New England Patriots.

Reputation as a Compliance Mechanism: The Efficacy of Shaming the People’s Republic of China for International Law Violations

Sara Flynn graduated in May 2024 as an International Affairs major and International Security Studies minor. She studied abroad in Spain and Switzerland as well as completed two Co-ops that largely inspired her passion for international law and global governance. Her first Co-op was at the Negotiation Task Force at Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, and the second at the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Robots and Artificial Intelligence – How Artificial Intelligence Could Change the World

What is China’s Involvement in the South China Sea and How Does it Impact International Relations With Other Actors in the Region?