Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson rejoins the podcast to interview Jake Dueck about ASU's Regents Cup victory! Dr. Ferguson and Dueck discussed Dueck's debating success and the topic of assisted suicide, which was debated in one of the rounds.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson is joined by Politics and Leadership Club member Andrew Ritter and Secretary Emma Lydick to discuss the conflict between China and Taiwan.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson discussed US relations with Japan and India with doctoral candidate Aakriti Sethi.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson rejoins the podcast to interview Jake Dueck about ASU's Regents Cup victory! Dr. Ferguson and Dueck discussed Dueck's debating success and the topic of assisted suicide, which was debated in one of the rounds.

ASU HAS WON THE REGENTS CUP! This past weekend, the ASU Regents Cup debate and storytelling teams DOMINATED the Regents Cup tournament. On this week's podcast, Jack Hinrichs chatted with two ASU Regents Cup debaters to learn more about the ASU preparation strategy and the tournament itself. Listen to Jack's interview with Andrea Jamieson and Shavya Aragam on this week's podcast!

This Thursday, Jack Hinrichs and Dr. Jenny Brian discussed how the Regents Cup speech and debate tournament advances the values of civil discourse and informed policy consideration. Dr. Brian is a scholar of scientific ethics and the chair of the Barrett, the Honors College teaching faculty. She has been the head coach of the ASU Regents Cup team since the tournament's inception.

This Monday, Drs. Rob Ferguson and Joel Webster of the Center for American Institutions discuss how the philosophy of a 19th century naval admiral might help explain the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Alfred Thayer Mahan was a naval officer and historian during the 19th and 20th centuries. His seminal work, "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History," was one of the most influential books of the...

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs discuss the primary results in Texas, Illinois, and Mississippi. Ferguson and Hinrichs chat about how the Texas Republican senatorial primary represents a Lucha Libre wrestling match, the importance of teacher's unions in Democratic politics, and the diminishing levels of racism in Mississippi over the past few decades.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson was joined by the Center for American Institution's Dr. Joel Webster in a conversation about the historian Thucydides and his work on the Peloponnesian War. Drs. Ferguson and Webster regularly discuss the influence of Thucydides' history and philosophy with students in the Foundations of Democracy class. This week, they bring some of those insights to you!

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Rebeca Leffler of the University of Florida to discuss the ideas and legacy of German-American political philosopher and intellectual historian Dr. Leo Strauss.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Rebeca Leffler of the University of Florida to discuss the ideas and legacy of German-American political philosopher and intellectual historian Dr. Leo Strauss.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson discussed the US intervention in Iran with Farzan Faramarzi and Dr. Amin Moijiri. Ferguson, Faramarzi, and Moijiri discussed the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian retaliation against neighboring Middle Eastern countries, and what a post-Ayatollah Iran might look like.

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Jack Hinrichs, Jake Dueck, and Elise Johnson to discuss Gen Z's perspective on the US involvement in Iran. They discussed the potential of military service, the influence of Israel's intervention in Gaza on Gen Z opinion, and the ways in which Gen Z's prior unfamiliarity with Middle Eastern affairs influences Gen Z opinion.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson discussed the US intervention in Iran with Farzan Faramarzi and Dr. Amin Moijiri. Ferguson, Faramarzi, and Moijiri discussed the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian retaliation against neighboring Middle Eastern countries, and what a post-Ayatollah Iran might look like.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Yaroslav Kovalchuk to discuss Ukrainian politics since the Russian invasion. Specifically, Drs. Ferguson and Kovalchuk discussed the initiatives and influence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Jack Hinrichs and Arizona politico Troy Holderby to discuss the State of the Union and the Arizona governor's race. Ferguson, Holderby, and Hinrichs chatted about the difference between the Republican Party and President Trump to the electorate, the relative strengths of Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, and the monumental triumph of the US Men'...

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Yaroslav Kovalchuk to discuss Ukrainian politics since the Russian invasion. Specifically, Drs. Ferguson and Kovalchuk discussed the initiatives and influence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs chatted about the 1st Annual Center for American Institutions Midterm Draft and the exciting governor's race in the Peach State. This year, CAI is hosting fantasy football for politics! Fill out a roster of midterms candidates and compete against other political junkies for a gift card and a spot on the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialo...

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson was joined by Audra Ward and Evan Edwards of the Politics and Leadership Club to discuss Florida politics. Ferguson, Ward, and Evans chatted about the Florida Governor's race, the randomness of Democratic senatorial candidate Alexander Vindman and the oddity of Republican Gubernatorial Candidate James Fishback. Also, we would love for you to participate in our M...

For thousands of years, development in the American Southwest has been dictated by the flow of water. Population size, economic growth, and environmental collapse are all dictated by the availability of the resource. So how do we legislate the flow of water? Who is deserving of what amount? To learn more about how the Colorado River Compact distributes water throughout the southwest, Dr. Rob Fergu...

For thousands of years, development in the American Southwest has been dictated by the flow of water. Population size, economic growth, and environmental collapse are all dictated by the availability of the resource. So how do we legislate the flow of water? Who is deserving of what amount? To learn more about how the Colorado River Compact distributes water throughout the southwest, Dr. Rob Fergu...

This Thursday, Dr. James Strickland of Florida State University joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss the contours of lobbying in both state governments and the federal government. Drs. Ferguson and Strickland discussed the rise and purpose of lobbyists, the conflicts of interest that arise with lobbying, and why hospitals hire tobacco lobbyists. Dr. James Strickland is one of America's foremost...

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs chatted about the 1st Annual Center for American Institutions Midterm Draft and the exciting governor's race in the Peach State. This year, CAI is hosting fantasy football for politics! Fill out a roster of midterms candidates and compete against other political junkies for a gift card and a spot on the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialo...

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson was joined by Farzan Faramarzi and Dr. Amin Mojiri to discuss the popular uprisings against the Iranian government. Ferguson, Faramarzi, and Mojiri discussed the motivations and strategies of the popular protests. They also discussed the potential ramifications of the protests on global politics.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Scott Lucas, Professor at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin and editor of EA WorldView. Dr. Lucas and EA WorldView have reported on international events since 2008. Their reporting on Iran, Gaza, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been noted for its ability to thoroughly report on oppressive regimes. Drs. Lucas and Ferguson discus...