Spring 2021

Briefings

Human rights journalist Ada Petriczko joins CIS as its Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow; Ice melts on US-Sudan relations, providing new opportunities; MIT-Japan Program establishes the Patricia Gercik Memorial Fund; Apekshya Prasai receives 2021 Jeanne Guillemin Prize; Exploring generations of influence between South Asia and MIT

Japan’s 3.11 triple disaster and its impact 10 years later

Nearly 20,000 Japanese—and most of their worldly possessions—were washed away in a matter of minutes when Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake in its recorded history on March 11, 2011. 340,000 survivors were displaced, and only a fraction ever returned to their homes. Richard Samuels revisits its impact one decade later.

Fear and a pattern of political killing in Russia

Putin and his regime are certainly a 21st-century autocracy, but that does not mean that fear is absent or they hide violence from public view as an informational autocrat should.  Fear-driven inference and the pessimistic risk assessments of fearful individuals amplify the effect of comparatively low levels of violence. PhD student Suzanne Freeman explains.

precis Interview: Claude Grunitzky

After graduating from MIT as a Sloan Fellow in 2012, Claude Grunitzky founded TRUE Africa as a news and culture website to promote African perspectives about modern Africa. In 2019, Grunitzky, a research affiliate at CIS, launched his next venture—TRUE Africa University (TAU)—which is currently incubated at the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL). He created and produces the MIT X TAU webinar series at CIS.

Global policy advice for President Biden

In this issue of précis, we continue to explore many of the global challenges facing the Biden administration. Scholars affiliated with the Center offer their advice to the US president on a range of policy issues, including arms control, cybersecurity, financial recovery, human displacement, and how to approach Iran and Russia.

Activities

MIT X True Africa University webinars; MISTI's Global Seed Funds 2020–21 winners receive more than $1.9 millions; CIS awards 17 summer study grants; Starr Forums; SSP Wednesday Seminars; Emile Bustani Middle East Seminar; Myron Weiner Seminar Series on International Migration; Global Startup Labs at MISTI

End Notes

End Notes features the professional achievements of our scholars, students, and staff. This includes recent awards, speaking engagements, and publications.​

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