On Tuesday, October 14, the Department of Political Science and Discourse in Democracy sponsored a faculty panel titled “Between Conflict & Cooperation: World Politics in 2025.” Dr. Alex Kroeger moderated this international relations panel, which consisted of Drs. Tom Doyle, Ed Mihalkanin, Franziska Newell, and Ionuț Popescu. The event was part of the department’s ongoing effort to foster public dialogue on global affairs and encourage students to engage critically with the forces shaping international politics. The panel brought together over sixty students, faculty, and staff to explore how global conflicts, alliances, and shifting power structures are shaping the current international landscape.
Dr. Kroeger opened the panel by acknowledging that while we live in turbulent times, this brings us opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, diplomacy and collective problem-solving. Each of the presenters focused on a different aspect of the current international scene:
- Dr. Doyle focused on the intersection of state fragility and transnational issues. He highlighted the impact of drug trafficking in Venezuela and the persistent instability of the Israel/Palestine conflict, emphasizing how non-state actors and weak governance can intensify international tensions but also create opportunities for multilateral cooperation.
- Dr. Mihalkanin examined how environmental and economic pressures are reshaping geopolitical relationships. He discussed the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis, resource scarcity, and the ripple effects of U.S. domestic and foreign policies – including tariffs and immigration – on international alliances and global markets.
- Dr. Newell brought a legal and institutional perspective, focusing on the role of international law in conflict zones. She explored how the principles and enforcement mechanisms of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are being tested in ongoing conflicts such as Israel/Palestine and Russia/Ukraine.
- Dr. Popescu analyzed the evolving strategic role of the United States on the world stage, including its diplomatic posture under President Trump. He discussed Washington’s involvement in mediating the Israel/Palestine conflict, the strategic implications of the U.S.–China trade war, and the broader geoeconomic competition shaping international order.
The panel concluded with a lively Q&A session in which students asked about the future of U.S. foreign policy, the challenges of enforcing international law, and ways to bridge partisan divisions in shaping global engagement. Several panelists emphasized the importance of informed civic participation, diplomacy, and multilateralism in addressing these challenges.
