Key Highlights
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A historical analysis finds that many common claims about the origins and role of the post-World War II “rules-based international order” are not supported by the evidence. This challenges the historical basis for current liberal internationalist policies and opens the door to considering alternative, more traditional approaches to foreign policy.
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A new global dataset reveals that the most effective tactic for preventing new authoritarian regimes from overturning successful nonviolent revolutions is, surprisingly, armed violence. This finding from the ROAD dataset provides crucial data for understanding how to protect fragile democratic transitions born from civil resistance.
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An analysis of the strategic Strait of Hormuz concludes that Iran holds a significant military and geographic advantage there, leaving the United States with no good policy options. This highlights a critical vulnerability in a key global oil transit chokepoint and a major challenge for U.S. foreign policy.
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Research on communist regimes defines them by a party-state’s claim to a “tripartite monopoly” over politics, the economy, and ideology, yet finds they have not perfectly homogenized highly different countries. This framework helps explain both the shared features and the persistent national variations seen in states like China, Cuba, and North Korea.
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A study on public health messaging found that a narrator’s closeness to the audience (like “your friend”) only boosts motivation to act when the message itself features relatable, close-up characters. This shows that effective communication depends on matching the messenger’s identity with the story being told, not just on using a trusted figure.
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