The custodians of one of Hollywood’s most reliable cash machines have been careful to sidestep political minefields that might remind customers of a realm outside the Magic Kingdom.
Jeffrey Fields, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The US frequently chooses to put its own interest ahead of its professed values. That approach to foreign policy is called ‘realpolitik’ and it may lead to an unsatisfying peace deal in Ukraine.
Those placing their faith in sanctions to turn Russians against the war in Ukraine know little about the country, its history and people, write two scholars who have studied Russian culture.
According to some reports, thousands of people from around the world are signing up to fight on behalf of Ukraine. But comparisons to the Spanish Civil War’s International Brigades are misguided.
Stuart Macintyre was the prime target of the conservatives in the history wars. Our greatest historian of politics and society since the late 19th century, he was assiduous, dedicated and prolific.
The swiftness of the Chinese action to free the two Michaels signalled an important message to the world from the governing Chinese Communist Party: Don’t mess with us.
Joshua Kluever, Binghamton University, State University of New York
The leftist Democratic Socialists of America was tiny before the 2016 election. Now, with 90,000 dues-paying members and four seats in Congress, the DSA is upending Democratic politics nationwide.
Just as Fidel Castro’s 2016 death did not transform US-Cuba ties, his brother Raul’s exit from politics is unlikely to do so. But Cuba itself is changing. Eventually, Havana and Washington will, too.
Hien Do Benoit, Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (CNAM)
In a new book, Hiên Do Benoit looks at Vietnam’s society, culture and political and economic history, and provides us with the keys to understanding this state unlike any other..
While we might not think of the 1950s housewife as taking an active interest in Cold War politics, a close reading of the Weekly shows its female readers were encouraged to join in the discussion.
Robert Kozinets, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
An analysis of social media commentary about socialism versus capitalism shows that people are talking past each other, but some are engaging in more nuanced discussions as well.
Gonzalo Soltero, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
In 1967 a Mexican reporter told the CIA he had met Lee Harvey Oswald in Mexico City just before the JFK assassination. New research and recently declassified intelligence pokes a hole in his story.
When President Trump claimed in a press conference that the election was being stolen from him, three major TV networks cut off their coverage. A media scholar asks if this is a turning point.