Why South Africa Matters: Race, Refugees, and U.S. Foreign Policy in a Post-Apartheid World

Why South Africa Matters: Race, Refugees, and U.S. Foreign Policy in a Post-Apartheid World

South Africa has recently reached headlines across the United States due to President Donald Trump's choice to accept white South Africans into U.S.A. under refugee status, along with perpetuating claims of active persecution against the white population in South Africa. With this in mind, in my latest post on "The Diplomatic Debrief," I look into the validity of these claims by exploring South Africa's history, particularly its dark racial past. I look to explain why white South Africans may be looking to claim refugee status. Finally, I examine how President Trump's refugee policies will impact American Grand Strategy in the Global South.

The Great War of the Renaissance: The Italian Wars

During the late 14th century, the Italian peninsula entered an artistic, economic, and cultural golden age known as the Renaissance. Commerce and new areas of human thought exploded onto the scene, making Italy one of the wealthiest regions in Europe and, arguably, the entire world. Because of this, however, the Italian peninsula - divided into many city-states - would soon become prey to the external powers seeking to capitalize off the region’s wealth. Today, we will discuss the latter half of the conflict known as the French-Italian Wars, a series of wars that would embroil Italy and the entire Mediterranean Sea.

A Masterwork of Logistics: Napoleon in Poland

In the year 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte, a Corsican general who rose to prominence following several successful military campaigns underneath the Revolutionary French Republic, crowned himself Emperor of the French. Following being crowned, the emperor almost immediately was engaged in a swift campaign by the Austrian and Russian Empires which would culminate in their defeat following Napoleon’s famous victory - Battle of Austerlitz. Only a year later, however, Napoleon would find himself once again at war - this time with the north German Kingdom of Prussia. However, following the twin battles of Jena-Auerstedt, what Napoleon believed would be a quick and speedy campaign turned into a drawn-out one as the remnants of Prussia would retreat into their territorial possessions in modern-day Poland. Worst of all, winter was approaching and Napoleon and his Grand Armeé were now 900 miles from Paris. Today we will be discussing how Napoleon, despite being isolated from France and being stationed in hostile territory, was able to supply, maintain, and care for his troops - a gargantuan task that can be characterized as a masterwork in military logistics.

A Vile and Vicious Man: Vasco Porcallo and the Early Spanish Colonial Experience

Following the colonization of Hispaniola, the island that now contains the modern states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, colonial ambitions by the newly united kingdoms of Aragon and Castile were turned towards a new island just north of their newly founded colony: the island of Cuba. Following the conquest of Cuba, for the following decades, a sense of a frontier-like society emerged in the region, allowing strong and violent men such as our subject today, Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa, to establish economic and social hegemonies over not only the indigenous communities that had existed on the island but also the Spaniards who had arrived to colonize it. Today we will explore the life of Vasco Porcallo who during his life played a role as one of the highest-ranking figures in colonial Cuba, and we will take a close look at this time of growth and development in the newly created colony of Cuba.

Educating the Future on the Past: Schoolhouse Rock! and Creating a New Era For Historical Education

Everyone knows the phrase “Conjunction junction, what’s your function” and “I’m just a bill on capitol hill.” These are due to the great popularity of the popular Schoolhouse Rock! shorts that have become an integral part of American childhood as they have been played in schools throughout America. Released in 1973, almost 200 years following the founding of America, the shorts have educated countless children with lessons on grammar, mathematics, and, most importantly for our episode, American history. However, as we approach the 250th year anniversary of America’s founding, Dr. Ringel argues that Schoolhouse Rock!’s discussions on American history may not be as inclusive as they could be. Today, we will be discussing the history of Schoolhouse Rock! and the possibilities of creating a more open, diverse, and civically conscious show. A link to Dr. Ringel's interview will be attached when it is released.