Jonathan Obert
Jonathan Obert is an assistant professor of political science at Amherst College. His scholarship centers on American politics and state formation, with a focus on questions related to violence, coercion and conflict, and firearms.
POPULAR
Why the deep state hates Putin
Since World War II, America’s knee-jerk response to any diplomatic challenge has been to bully or bomb.
US follows Germany’s lead to send battle tanks to Ukraine
The U.S. agreed to send 31 tanks, and Germany agreed to 14.
Nuclear fusion won’t save the climate
But it might blow up the world.
‘Just the next step’ toward justice for Tyre Nichols: Memphis police shutter SCORPION unit
Attorneys for Nichols' family called the move "appropriate and proportional" in response to his death and urged other cities to follow suit but also stressed that "misconduct is not restricted to these specialty units."
The one thing that would make elections better for everyone
Ranked choice voting makes elections less painful, less expensive, and can help make our government more inclusive and responsive to what people actually want.