The Conversation
Hurricane season is here, but FEMA’s policy change could leave low-income areas less protected
The Conversation • May 30, 2025Hurricanes and other storms that cause flooding don’t affect everyone in the same way. A legacy of redlining and discrimination in many U.S. cities left poor and minority families living in often risky areas. These neighborhoods also tend to have poorer infrastructure.
Trump’s lifting of Syria sanctions is a win for Turkey, too – pointing to outsized role middle powers can play in regional affairs
The Conversation • May 19, 2025As experts in international relations and Turkish law and politics, we believe the developments in Syria point to the outsized role a small-to-middle power like Turkey can have in regional and international matters. That is particularly true in the Middle East, where world powers such as the U.S. are perceived to have a declining and at times unpredictable influence.
Tomato trade dispute between the US and Mexico is boiling over again – with 21% tariffs due in July
The Conversation • May 19, 2025As economists who study global trade issues affecting agricultural commodities and processed food products, we have assessed the benefits of imported tomatoes and other products on consumers and businesses. Fresh tomato imports ensure year-round availability for consumers, contribute significantly to the U.S. economy by generating billions in sales and supporting thousands of jobs, and promote competitive pricing that benefits both consumers and businesses.
Social Security’s trust fund could run out of money sooner than expected due to changes in taxes and benefits
The Conversation • Apr 14, 2025As an economist who studies the Social Security system, I am alarmed that Democratic and Republican administrations alike have failed for more than three decades to take the actions necessary to keep its funding on track, either by raising taxes or cutting benefits. Instead, Congress has only made the program’s funding outlook worse. And now, the Trump administration is reducing the program’s staff, sending confusing signals about changes it intends to make, and undercutting the quality of service for the people who are eligible for these benefits.
Why forecasting where tornadoes will hit is still hard to do − even though storm predictions are improving
The Conversation • Apr 3, 2025Meteorologists began warning that extremely dangerous storms were likely coming days before tornadoes tore across the Central and Eastern U.S. in March and April 2025. But pinpointing exactly where a tornado will touch down still relies heavily on seeing the storms developing on radar. Chris Nowotarski, an atmospheric scientist, explains why, and how forecast technology is improving.
Massive cuts to Health and Human Services’ workforce signal a dramatic shift in US health policy
The Conversation • Mar 31, 2025As a scholar of U.S. health and public health policy, I have written about administrative burdens that prevent many Americans from accessing benefits to which they are entitled, including those provided by HHS, like Medicaid.
Donald Trump’s nonstop news-making can be exhausting, making it harder for people to scrutinize his presidential actions
The Conversation • Mar 19, 2025I study the relationship between communication and democracy. I teach university classes on propaganda, presidential communication and the dark arts of communication, and I’m the author of an award-winning 2020 book on Trump’s communication strategies.
What causes the powerful winds that fuel dust storms, wildfires and blizzards? A weather scientist explains
The Conversation • Mar 20, 2025Windstorms can seem like they come out of nowhere, hitting with a sudden blast. They might be hundreds of miles long, stretching over several states, or just in your neighborhood. But they all have one thing in common: a change in air pressure.