A piece in the 2015 MIDWEST POLICY SERIES

By: Brendan Clemente

The recent framework agreed upon by Iran and the United States effectively limits Iran’s nuclear program. However, the U.S. cannot trust the Iranian regime. The United States should make clear, credible military threats against the regime in order to ensure it follows the agreement. 

A piece in the 2015 MIDWEST POLICY SERIES

By: Ariana Zlioba and Michael Finan

If the United States is to maintain collective defense credibility in Europe and deter further Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, it must defend its Baltic NATO allies—Lithuania  Latvia, and Estonia—and allow Ukraine to join the North American Treaty Organization.

A piece in the 2015 MIDWEST POLICY SERIES

By: Roge Karma

The oppressive policies of the Sudanese government and the rise of the Islamic state – along with many other sources of human rights violations and regional instability in the world today – share in common a root cause: non-majority rule. Non-majority rule is directly linked to policies of government oppression, civil war, genocide, and the rise of extremist opposition. It is inherently detrimental to the stability of a region. The most effective means of solving problems like those in Iraq and Sudan would be for the United Nations to create a sub-committee within its Council of Foreign Relations designed to identify, investigate, and ultimately dismantle non-majority regimes around the globe. Additionally, the commission would facilitate peaceful government transitions in formerly non-majority ruled countries. 

By: Samuel Wylde 

As a No Impact veteran, I know by now that success in the Challenge is only partly under one's own control. Situation is at least half the battle. Are you really not going to open that birthday present from your friend because the wrapping and the box and the bow are at least three points right there? Do you plan on being the person who refuses a tissue from a stranger for your stuffy nose? Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

I found myself positioned between a rock and a hard place this past weekend. I was working the annual charity gala for an organization that I'm involved with on campus, and the whole thing was nothing less than a snake pit for a Challenger. Hor d'oeuvres on toothpicks and paper plates abounded. Paper programs for the evening were scattered on tables all across the venue. The obligatory drink-in-hand for making small talk with guests was inevitably served with a paper napkin. My choice was seemingly between becoming a social pariah for the evening, or abandoning all hope for a No Impact victory. 

Of course, I actually had plenty of options between these two extremes. Moderation, or maybe more aptly, damage control, became name of the game. Nurse that drink for as long as possible, but don’t walk around empty handed. Head for the dips at the buffet line and skip those toothpick-skewered meatballs. At the end of the night, I managed to stay at a reasonable point level while maintaining a semblance of proper cocktail hour comportment. And this, really, is the real spirit of No Impact: not to drop completely off the grid, but to do the best to minimize your impact, no matter the situation.

By: Caroline Coccoli

(Originally posted on the Campus Network Tumblr)

The Northwestern chapter has been hosting the No Impact Challenge on campus for the past four years. It is a competition between members to use as few single-use disposable items as possible during the two weeks following Earth Day.

By: Mario Gruszczynski, Julia Christensen, and Brigid Kennedy

(Originally posted in the Michigan State University Roosevelt Blog)

MSU’s purchasing office staffs a diversity team and “encourages business opportunities for minority business enterprises (MBE), woman-owned business enterprises (WBE), small businesses and other disadvantaged businesses.” However, there are a variety of obstacles in the way of effectively pursuing this goal.

By: Zach Lipp

(Originally posted on Medium)

Liberal education should develop the skills of civic engagement, not just citizenship. College campuses cultivate political engagement outside of the classroom.

By: Raymond Dong

(Originally posted in the Next New Deal)

A youth advisory committee for the Department of Health and Human Services has the potential to reduce the costs of chronic disease for generations to come.

By: Rachel Riemenschneider and Samuel Wylde

(Originally posted in the Illinois State Journal Register)

Thousands of young Illinoisans came together online and in person to discuss issues that are important to them, many of which were overlooked in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address.