Columbia | SIPA Journal of International Affairs

12/11/2019

Political Reform in Algeria is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: An Analysis of Algeria’s Upcoming Presidential Election

Our latest article by Dr. Sabina Henneberg examines the implications of Algeria's upcoming presidential elections.

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/political-reform-algeria-marathon-not-sprint-analysis-algeria%E2%80%99s-upcoming

Algeria is preparing for presidential elections on 12 December in a context of acute political crisis. The nature of the anti-government protest movement suggests the crisis can only be resolved through long-term change.

12/10/2019

Digital Trust is Essential for Data Privacy Protection

Our newest article comes from Stuart Brotman at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, who argues that the US needs to take a more serious look at ways to foster digital trust.

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/digital-trust-essential-data-privacy-protection

As the holiday shopping season builds momentum, Americans await a gift that is much desired but difficult to provide: digital trust. According to the Frost and Sullivan 2018 Global State of Online Digital Trust Survey, 50 percent of companies have been involved in publicly-disclosed data breaches, i...

12/09/2019

Tech War, Faux War: Exaggerated Claims to U.S.-China Technological Competition

Our latest article by Johanna Costigan argues that the “tech war" between China and the U.S. is an exaggerated narrative used in politics and the media, and this antagonistic rhetoric is damaging an indispensable bilateral relationship.

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/tech-war-faux-war-exaggerated-claims-us-china-technological-competition

Levelheaded China-watchers are aware of the risks associated with militarizing the U.S.-China rivalry. A group of them drew public attention to this issue in June when they published the now well-discussed open letter​ advocating for a more good-faith and constructive approach towards China.

12/03/2019

The last member of the 2019-2020 editorial board we would like to introduce is Francisco Javier Pardinas Favela, a Business & Marketing Associate.

Francisco Javier is an MPA candidate focused on Sustainable Development. Prior to SIPA he worked as a corporate finance analyst in the private sector where he focused on financial valuation, country risk analysis, project evaluation, and business plan strategies. Most recently, he provided consulting services to financial institutions and banks, including Mexico’s largest development firm.

12/02/2019

We are pleased to announce the theme of our Spring/Summer 2020 issue: Politics of Protest. The issue will examine protest movements around the globe, sub-national and transnational trends, the role of technology, law, and institutions, and more.

Submission of papers and student essay/visual art contest pieces are all due at 11:59pm EST on Feb. 3, 2020.

For more information, please visit our website at the following links.

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/call-papers-politics-protest

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/student-essay-and-visual-arts-contests-spring-2020

11/26/2019

Next, we would like to introduce Padma Priya Ponnapula, an editorial assistant for print.

Priya is a first year, International Finance and Economic Policy concentrator, originally from Hyderabad, India. Her background lies in International Development, specifically gender based development in South Asia. Prior to SIPA, Priya worked at Asia Initiatives, a New York-based non-profit, working to promote skill building and resource training for young girls and women in Asia and Africa. As a Project Manager, she developed frameworks to cultivate and utilize financial potential of below poverty line women, through education, job training and digital literacy programs. After SIPA, she wants to combine her passion for Finance with her background in development to create strategic development frameworks for vulnerable communities to enhance livelihood opportunities and create sustainable growth.

11/25/2019

Next, we would like to introduce Pekun Bakare, a Business and Marketing Associate.

Pekun is currently an MIA/MBA candidate concentrating on International Finance and Economic Policy. Prior to SIPA, Pekun worked for the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) on the US$2 billion Nigeria Infrastructure Fund and at FBN Merchant Bank in the Project & Structured Finance division where he was responsible for raising capital for infrastructure projects in the oil and gas, power, telecoms and transportation sectors of Nigeria. His primary academic interest is studying the cross section between public policy and infrastructure development in emerging markets. Pekun completed a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Durham University and is an avid football, rugby, and tennis player.

11/24/2019

The next member that we would like to introduce is Marjorie Tolsdorf, an Editorial Assistant for Digital

Marjorie is currently an MIA student studying Economic and Political Development. Prior to SIPA, she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Russian and Eastern European Studies. She then spent a year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Khanty-Mansiysk, Siberia in Russia and as a Yahel Social Change Fellow in Lod, Israel where she worked at a non-profit that aids women victims of domestic violence.

11/23/2019

Cloaking Strategic Interests in Morality: How Turkey Discredits Armed Humanitarianism

Our latest article comes from the Saltzman Institute's Oana-Cosmina Mihalache who argues that despite Turkish President Erdogan's humanitarian rhetoric, Operation Peace Spring remains a strategic military endeavor.

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/cloaking-strategic-interests-morality-how-turkey-discredits-armed-humanitarianism

In December 2018, President Trump rhetorically sealed the fight against ISIS by announcing his decision to withdraw 2,000 U.S.

11/23/2019

The next member that we would like to introduce is Liz Olson, an Editorial Assistant for Digital.

Liz is an MIA student at SIPA focusing on human rights and humanitarian policy. Before SIPA, Liz worked at a human rights non-profit in New York City where she advocated for gender sensitive interpretations of international law, focusing on justice for mass atrocity crimes. Liz also spent several years in Beijing at a local non-profit raising awareness of environmental conservation issues and climate change.

11/21/2019

The next board member we would like to introduce is Rebecca Bonner, an Editorial Assistant for Digital.

Rebecca is an MIA candidate concentrating on human rights and gender. Prior to SIPA, she worked for several years on public lands and water policy at the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C. Rebecca is passionate about using a gender-sensitive approach to make institutions more inclusive, resilient, and responsive, particularly in the face of climate change and other global stressors.

11/20/2019

The next board member of the digital team that we would like to introduce is our Social Media Lead, Yuchen Wu.

Yuchen is a first-year MPA student concentrating in Energy and Environment. Her primary interest is in climate change policy and sustainable development. She graduated earlier this year from UC San Diego with a double major in Environmental Policy and Management Science. In her spare time, Yuchen loves reading, writing, and traveling. After graduating from SIPA, she would like to work in a non-profit or non-governmental organization and try to combine policy analysis and evaluation with social media.

11/19/2019

Today, we would like to introduce our Website Manager, Pranav Ramkumar

Pranav is an MPA candidate concentrating in International Finance and Economic Policy passionate about financial and digital inclusion, carbon markets, and carbon asset generation. Pursuing a specialization in International Organizations and UN studies, he aims to make an impact towards his passions through the folds of a multilateral, philanthropic foundation or impact fund. Prior to SIPA, he worked as an Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank, in the Chief Operating Office for Global Banking based in Singapore. Pranav enjoys data science and data visualization, and has applied these skills extensively to problems in financial risk management and regulatory compliance in his prior experience.

11/18/2019

The next board member we would like to introduce is Daniel Sorek, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Dan is a first-year MIA student concentrating in international security policy with an interest in the Middle East. Prior to enrolling at SIPA, he worked in investment banking and advised public and private clients on acquisition financing mandates across North America. He hopes to apply his analytical skills towards public service. While working, Dan was selected to multiple delegations that were formed to represent youth interests and advise high ranking Canadian government officials. He graduated from McGill University, majoring in finance and minoring in Chinese and Russian. In his spare time, Dan is an avid runner and tries to cross off as many New York City bucket list items as possible.

11/15/2019

The next board member that we would like to introduce is Daniel Propp, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Daniel is a first-year MPA student concentrating on Energy and Environment. He earned his undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College in 2018 and then spent a year in Accra, Ghana, where he served as the West Africa Policy Analyst for the Renewable Energy Performance Platform. He is using his time at SIPA to study strategies for decarbonizing the global energy system.

11/13/2019

The next board member we would like to introduce is Jiwon Ma, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Jiwon is an MIA candidate concentrating in International Security Policy and specializing in International Conflict Resolution. Prior to SIPA, she worked as an Executive Assistant in the Dean's Office at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In addition, she worked on a cybersecurity publication as a Research Assistant at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. At SIPA, Jiwon's academic and research focus will be on cybersecurity, counterintelligence, and military defense strategy.

11/11/2019

The next board member that we would like to introduce is Jenna Zumwalt, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Jenna is an MPA candidate, concentrating in Urban and Social Policy and specializing in management. Before attending SIPA, Jenna served as a Human Resources Officer in the U.S. Army, supporting special operations and other military formations throughout the United States and the Middle East. She is interested in the ways that technology can be used to address social issues and drive government efficiency.

11/10/2019

The next board member that we would like to introduce is Ayana Dootalieva, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Ayana obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Law from Ghent University in Belgium. She partly completed her master’s degree at the University of Neuchâtel and the University of Geneva. She obtained experience in antitrust and international trade law, and conducted research on international children’s rights. Prior to enrolling at Columbia University, Ayana completed an internship at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg. She published several articles in peer-reviewed law journals, including an article based on her master’s thesis on the EU’s rule of law instruments. Ayana is particularly interested in EU-US relations, democratization, and identity building in foreign affairs.

11/08/2019

We are excited to announce three additions to our advisory board: Merit E. Janow, Kimberly Marten, and Yasmine Ergas. Sadly, Professor Gary Sick, who has served our advisory board since 1990, stepped down in October.

We want to express our sincerest gratitude to Professor Sick for his commitment to the Journal for the past 29 years and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

You can read more about our advisory board changes here: https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/advisory-board-changes

11/08/2019

The next board member we would like to introduce is Aidan Berkey, an Editorial Assistant for Print.

Aidan is an MIA student at SIPA concentrating in Economic and Political Development and specializing in International Security Policy. Immediately prior to Columbia, he spent several years as a consultant for The Beacon Group, where he developed and delivered growth strategies to Fortune 100 clients across the firm's Defense, Healthcare, Industrial, and Technology practices. He has also previously worked in the finance and non-profit development spaces, and holds a Bachelor's degree with High Honors from Wesleyan University's College of Social Studies, where his research focused on the intersections of urban economic development and the memory of political violence. In his spare time, Aidan is an aspiring linguist and avid kayaker.

11/07/2019

The next board member that we would like to feature is our Production Assistant, Elizabeth Richenda Anderson.

Elizabeth is an MIA student trying to figure out the best way to help combat greenhouse gas emissions globally while bettering the livelihoods of all. Prior to SIPA, she was a Senior Budget Analyst at the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee responsible for the agriculture, energy, environment, and parks budget.

11/06/2019

The next board member we would like to introduce is Ella Drory our new Strategy Associate.

Ella is an MPA student concentrating in Social Policy and specializing in Gender Policy and Technology, Media, and Communications. Prior to SIPA, she worked for Israel’s largest non-profit combating hunger and poverty where she established and directed the Department of International Resource Development. Upon graduating from SIPA, Ella intends to pursue a career combating violence against women and human trafficking.

11/05/2019

Over the next few weeks, we will introduce new members of our 2019-2020 editorial board joining us this fall. Today, we are excited to feature our new Director of Alumni Relations Shannon McKenna.

Shannon is an MPA in Development Practice student focusing on the intersection of conflict resolution and sustainable development. Prior to SIPA, she served as a Civil Affairs Officer in the US Army where she worked to understand drivers of instability, paths to radicalization, and the intersection of economic development and security in Central Asia and the Middle East. She is particularly interested in the policies and programs surrounding the integration of migrants following periods of conflict.

10/30/2019

Submissions for our Andrew Wellington Cordier/Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) Student Essay Contests and Visual Art Contest are due this Sunday, Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Please email submissions to [email protected]

Winning authors will be published in our Fall/Winter 2019 issue, and receive a $500 prize for essays, or $250 for visual art projects.

This issue’s theme is Climate Disruption, which explores the catastrophic and widespread effect of climate change, its impact on politics, and possible solutions.

For more information, visit our website: https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/student-essay-contest

10/28/2019

Columbia | SIPA Journal of International Affairs

The deadline for our Fall/Winter 2019 student essay and visual arts contests is this Sunday, November 3! Winning authors of both contests are published in the print issue and receive $500. We highly encourage all those interested to email submissions to [email protected].

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/student-essay-contest

The Journal of International Affairs is excited to announce the student essay and visual arts contests for our Fall/Winter 2019 issue on "Climate Disruption."

For more information about topics and deadlines, visit our website:

https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/student-essay-and-visual-arts-contests-fall-2019

10/27/2019

Sayed Bukhari on the Future of Pakistan and its Overseas Diaspora

The Journal had a chance to sit down with Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, for an interview on the future of Pakistan and its overseas diaspora.

Read the full interview on our website now:
https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/online-articles/sayed-bukhari-future-pakistan-and-its-overseas-diaspora

Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari is Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. Appointed in September 2018, he has maintained close ties with Prime Minister Imran Khan and has been an active cabinet member since first joining the PT...

10/26/2019

Ending Pandemics: US Foreign Policy to Mitigate Today's Major Killers, Tomorrow's Outbreaks, and the Health Impacts of Climate Change

Georgetown Professor Matthew M. Kavanagh recently authored a piece in Foreign Policy on the role of presidentially-led efforts to combat pandemics. Read the full essay on our website below.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/15/presidential-candidates-ignoring-pandemics-worlds-biggest-threat/

Abstract: Every U.S. President in recent decades has had to respond to at least one pandemic disease. Political leadership has proven decisive. In the coming years, U.S. foreign policy will face at least three inter-related issues: today’s major pandemics of AIDS, TB, and Malaria; future outbreaks...