News + Media
Analysis + OpinionFebruary 21, 2020Mike Pompeo criticized China for not respecting its neighbors’ territorial integrity. What’s the story?M Taylor Fravel The Washington PostM Taylor Fravel reflects on how China’s approach to territorial disputes has been quite different from what Pompeo suggests. |
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In the NewsFebruary 20, 2020A road map for artificial intelligence policyPeter DizikesMIT NewsIn a Starr Forum talk, Luis Videgaray, director of MIT’s AI Policy for the World Project, outlines key facets of regulating new technologies. |
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In the NewsFebruary 18, 2020Fact-checking Tom Cotton's claims about the coronavirusTara SubramaniamCNNVipin Narang quoted: "the thing that weighs against the claim is that it's a terrible bioweapon. If you were engineering a bioweapon this would have the absolute opposite of the characteristics you would want." Cotton's other hypotheses were more plausible, Narang said. "If the claim is that there were bats at the facility that may have had the novel coronavirus and there was a lapse in security and protocol, it's possible but it doesn't sound like there was anything intentional," Narang said. "Unless there's strong evidence to the contrary that should be the operating assumption." |
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In the NewsFebruary 17, 2020Tom Cotton keeps repeating a coronavirus conspiracy theory that was already debunkedPaulina Firozi The Washington PostVipin Narang quoted: After Cotton’s Sunday remarks, Narang said, “These kinds of conspiracy theories are unhelpful. I don’t think it’s particularly helpful, and it’s borderline irresponsible to — and it’s without evidence, so at this point it’s a conspiracy theory — peddle it,” he said. “Cotton should spend more time funding the agencies in the United States that can help contain and combat the virus rather than trying to assign blame.” |
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In the NewsFebruary 10, 2020Might technology tip the scales?Leda ZimmermanDepartment of Political ScienceBenjamin Chang, a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science, is using his understanding of computer science to explore the impacts of artificial intelligence on military power, with a focus on US and China. |
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In the NewsFebruary 10, 2020The 2 most controversial national security items in Trump’s new budgetAlex WardVoxVipin Narang quoted: Experts are split on whether a nuclear modernization program, which gained steam in the Obama years, is a good idea. “If you’re going to have the force, make sure it’s safe, secure, and reliable,” says Vipin Narang, a nuclear expert at MIT. “Some, not all, of the force and the delivery platforms are decades old.” He added that “it just can’t sit and rot.” |
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Analysis + OpinionFebruary 7, 2020Iraqi protesters will likely push forward despite violenceMarsin AlshamaryThe World | PRIDespite violence, Iraqi protesters have made political gains, the most significant of which is the recognition by all parties that legitimacy can only come from the people. |
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In the NewsFebruary 6, 2020China's 'grand gestures,' propaganda aim to calm fears about coronavirusElizabeth ShimUnited Press International (UPI)Grad student Kacie Miura quoted: In building the new hospitals, the Chinese government could have had other objectives aside from treating sick patients. Authorities allow the construction to be viewed live online, creating a spectacle and an image of a government "in control of the situation and capable of accomplishing monumental tasks," Miura said. |
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In the NewsFebruary 4, 2020US military deploys new type of nuclear weapon seen as key to countering RussiaRyan Browne, Barbara Starr and Zachary CohenCNNVipin Narang quoted: The real difference is the ability to threaten "and penetrate targets deep in adversary territory that current aircraft deliverable low yield nuclear weapons cannot reach," according to Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at MIT. |
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In the NewsFebruary 3, 2020Beyond Harvard prof's arrest, increased scrutiny over research conflicts sparks 'a whole lot of anxiety'Carrie JungWBURJoel Brenner quoted: "The FBI and other counterintelligence officials have been warning of these problems for at least 20 years now," he said. "The academic community has been very skeptical." |