Two Dangers of the Escalating Drug War My opening remarks at "From Cartels to Combatants: The Intensifying Militarization of America's Drug War." From Guns, Guards, and Governance Below this, we see the logo of the CONTRA Center at the GMU Schar School

This March, I spoke at a @scharschool.bsky.social conference on the escalating militarization of America's drug war.

@gcorreacabrera.bsky.social did a great job organizing the conference.

Here's some of what I said at the conference. gunsguardsandgovernance.substack.com/p/two-danger...

Florencia Franco Resigns: Hacienda Official & Teacher Protest Scandal – Archyde The sun-drenched image, circulating with the speed of a digital wildfire, wasn’t just a snapshot of a moment. It was a political earthquake. Florencia Franco,

In Archyde, Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera of the Schar School is quoted on a political resignation tied to a teacher protest scandal. The story connects public unrest, accountability and state power. www.archyde.com/florencia-franco-resigns...

New research spotlight: A Nature article co-authored by Sungbin Park and John Earle of the Schar School, with Schar School alum Kyung Min Lee, finds that ending unemployment benefits early increased COVID-19 transmission and deaths in the U.S. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-026-02431-6

The Pandora Report Where Science Meets Security

Pandora Report 4.17.2026

This issue highlights recent @scharschool.bsky.social biodefense research and pubs, insights on deterrence and coercive diplomacy, and new developments in vaccine diplomacy, AI governance, biosecurity, CW, and global threat reduction efforts.

pandorareport.org

Across Europe and the Mideast, the star of TV news coverage is a former Virginia legislator with ties to Franklin County Former Del. David Ramadan, who grew up in Lebanon and now teaches part-time at George Mason University, is an in-demand analyst about Middle Eastern news.

In Cardinal News, former Virginia delegate David Ramadan is profiled as his global media presence continues to grow. The story highlights his Virginia roots and ties to the Schar School. https://ow.ly/QM0f50YJWPP

Amazon's HQ2 hiring stalled in 2025 Amazon added no jobs at its Arlington headquarters last year that qualified for Virginia’s workforce grant incentives.

Virginia Business features insight from Terry Clower of the Schar School on Amazon HQ2 hiring. The article examines why growth slowed in 2025 and what that could mean for the region’s economy. virginiabusiness.com/amazons-hq2-hiring-stall...

Excited to share that, as part of a broader George Mason University MOU, the Schar School is beginning a new partnership with Maqsut Narikbayev University.

Dean Mark J. Rozell and Provost Anar Ibrayeva signed the agreement this afternoon. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead!

"The Quiet War- #Invisible #Attacks: What's Behind #HavanaSyndrome & Anomalous Health Incidents" with @johnsipher.bsky.social @christogrozev.bsky.social @mpolymer1.bsky.social @michaeldweiss.bsky.social @georgemasonu.bsky.social @scharschool.bsky.social #Accountability #AccessToHealthCare

Happening now @scharschool.bsky.social @georgemasonu.bsky.social

In this U.S. hot spot for data centers, voters have turned against them Findings from a new Washington Post-Schar School poll come as Prince William County on Tuesday abandoned plans for one of the country’s biggest and most controversial data center projects.

In this U.S. hot spot for data centers, voters have turned against them — Washington Post-@scharschool.bsky.social poll
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The future of infrastructure took center stage at the 2026 P3 Forum today bringing together leaders from across sectors. Featuring a keynote from VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and a panel moderated by former VA Governor & Schar faculty member Bob McDonnell.

Airstrikes on Iran’s Power Plants Unlikely to Cripple Military, Energy Strategist Says Airstrikes threatened by President Trump on Iran’s electrical grid would impact civilians around the country, but will have difficulty completely cutting off power to the military because Iran’s power grid is relatively decentralized, says Umud Shokri, an energy strategist and senior visiting fellow

In The Wall Street Journal, Umud Shokri says airstrikes on Iran’s power plants are unlikely to cripple the military. The story highlights how energy infrastructure attacks may inflict civilian pain without delivering decisive strategic results. https://ow.ly/rgka50YJWlT

In this U.S. hot spot for data centers, voters have turned against them. From the latest @washingtonpost.com and @scharschool.bsky.social poll.

Dana Dolan: Stop fighting voter ID. Start defining it From the commentary, "This is a flanking move, not a concession. It forces opponents to argue against a bill that gives every American free identification and easier access to the ballot — in line with what 83% of Americans support."

In an op-ed for the West Central Tribune, Dana Dolan of the Schar School argues for moving beyond slogans on voter ID and toward a clearer, more workable definition that protects both access and confidence in elections. https://ow.ly/SJlg50YJVFx

It's tomorrow!!! There's still time to register. Join us!

A GOP-aligned group is using Klan imagery to target Black voters Civil rights rhetoric and images of Barack Obama are also being employed to persuade Virginians during the nationwide battle for U.S. House control.

The recent Washington Post-Schar School polling is cited in reporting on misleading GOP-aligned mailers targeting Black voters in Virginia, a redistricting fight with major implications for control of the House: https://ow.ly/fpZB50YJ4Qf

Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer US Trade Representative underscores US seeks substantial tariffs, unhindered rare earth access, and a stability-preserving leaders' meeting

Quoted in The Star Online, Hilton L. Root of the Schar School discusses U.S.-China dynamics ahead of a possible Xi-Trump summit. The piece examines why talks may stay virtual and why a major new investment push appears unlikely for now. https://ow.ly/jgKo50YJ4mn

Glenn Youngkin accuses Gov Spanberger of 'illegal and unconstitutional' gerrymandering in Virginia map fight Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin accuses successor Gov. Abigail Spanberger of "illegal and unconstitutional" gerrymandering over redistricting referendum.

Dean Mark J. Rozell comments on Virginia’s redistricting fight as debate intensifies over map changes. The story also cites the Washington Post-Schar School poll. www.foxnews.com/media/glenn-youngkin-acc...

We’re at #NCUR2026 today and tomorrow, hosted by @curinaction.bsky.social Stop by Booth T40 to hear about our public affairs programs and how they connect to real-world challenges. #undergraduateresearch #undergraduateresearchers #ResearchMatters #PublicPolicy #PublicAffairs #Biodefense

Pandora Report 4.10.2026

This issue highlights upcoming @scharschool.bsky.social virtual open house and Counterterrorism Summit 2026, national recognition of our top-ranked homeland security program, and analysis of the resurgence of measles and vaccine hesitancy in the US.

pandorareport.org

Earlier this semester, Schar School’s National Security and Public Policy cohort spent a day on Capitol Hill attending a Senate hearing, meeting with congressional staff, and visiting the American Security Project. Learn more about NSPP: https://ow.ly/4xLH50YGI8a

"We are going to level the playing field. Sometimes, you’ve got to bring the same tools. It’s the old saying. 'You can’t bring a knife to a gunfight.' Gerrymandering means what? It is being conscious of the political outcome, I suppose, in this day and age." - Chairman Marcus Simon

Catch up on a recent episode of Policy & Governance Perspectives with David Ramadan, Commander Greg Brandon, and Chairman Marcus Simon on public safety, redistricting, and civic engagement in Virginia: schar.gmu.edu/podcast

Graduate Admissions Events We invite you to join us to learn more about the Schar School of Policy and Government and our academic programs.

@scharschool.bsky.social was just ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in VA for graduate education in homeland security and emergency management by @usnews.com. We offer certs, MS and PhD degrees in Biodefense.
Come learn more about our virtual open house on April 27:
schar.gmu.edu/admissions/m...

The @washingtonpost.com @scharschool.bsky.social poll is front page, right below the moon!

The Schar School continues to rise in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, with programs ranked among the nation’s best:
No. 4 in Homeland Security
No. 12 in Nonprofit Management
No. 15 in International Global Policy
Plus we're in the top 15% overall!

George Mason graduate programs rank #1 in Virginia and Top 50 nationally according to U.S. News According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Program rankings, George Mason University placed 20 programs in the national top 50, including seven in the top 10, reflecting broad strength ac...

@georgemasonu.bsky.social graduate programs rank #1 in Virginia and Top 50 nationally according to @usnews.com

The @scharschool.bsky.social homeland security and emergency management program held its position at 4th nationally and No. 1 in Virginia.

www.gmu.edu/news/2026-04...

Poll: Virginia voters narrowly support redistricting to favor Democrats. Latest @washingtonpost.com and @scharschool.bsky.social poll.

@georgemasonu.bsky.social @scharschool.bsky.social @haydencenter.bsky.social "Putin's Russia Today" Moderator John Sipher, Former CIA Sr. Leader in Russia Operations George Kent, Former U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Paul Hollingsworth, Former CIA Senior Operations Officer/NSC Sr. Dir. for Intelligence

Happening now @scharschool.bsky.social @haydencenter.bsky.social @georgemasonu.bsky.social