For five decades, the Assad family has ruled Syria, and currently, Bashar al-Assad has been maintaining power since 2000. However, the years of civil unrest and conflict against the authoritarian regime have prompted rebel forces to oust the government.

This rebellion, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has left the world shocked not only because of the sudden eruption but also because of the relative ease, unfolding over less than two weeks. Beginning on November 27 with attacks on forces in western Aleppo, the rebellion continued to move, next capturing the largest military base in the region. After they finalized the capture of Aleppo (second-largest city), the rebels took Hama on December 5, a pivotal crossroads in western-central Syria. The momentum continued as the rebels captured Daraa on December 6 and Homs by December 7. The rebellion marked an end on December 8 when Damascus was declared “liberated.”

Though Syrians have expressed their eager for freedom, they have equally shared fears of instability and fragmentation, as there are many implications of this change. HTS faces the challenge of maintaining unity among diverse factions and establishing effective governance. Meanwhile, international powers such as the US, Russia, Turkey, and Iran are looking to influence in shaping Syria’s future. Neighboring countries have fortified their borders, wary of potential spillover, while global leaders stress the urgency of creating a cohesive political framework to prevent Syria from descending further into chaos.

This situation mirrors the post-World War II era, where global powers sought to exert influence over countries emerging from conflict, often pulling them in opposing directions. Such external interventions can exacerbate internal struggles, diverting attention from crucial global objectives, like sustainability and long-term peace, as geopolitical interests dominate the conversation. To avoid similar conflicts, international public policies should focus on humanitarian aid, post-conflict reconstruction, and sustainable development– ensuring long-term peace and stability in Syria and the wider region.

With Donald Trump winning this presidential election, it is inherent that policies will shift significantly to address key concerns within the Republican Party, focusing on reversing Democratic-led initiatives from the past four years. Though both parties emphasize the importance of improving education outcomes, they differ in the specific means. Democrats generally advocate for increased public school funding, universal pre-K, reducing student debt, and expanding access to higher education through measures like tuition-free college for lower-income students. Republicans often focus on school choice, advocating for charter schools, vouchers, and parental rights in education, while aiming to limit federal involvement in local schools.

Most notably, school choice raises significant controversy. School choice essentially allows families to select educational options beyond their neighborhood public schools, including private, charter, magnet, and online schools, as well as homeschooling. These options are often funded through government-spending programs like vouchers, education savings accounts, and tax-credit scholarships. Advocates argue that school choice enhances educational quality and equality, while critics contend it diverts public funds from traditional schools and enables discriminatory practices in private institutions.

Trump’s education reform agenda has a strong emphasis on school choice as a key part of his education reform agenda, pledging to grant parents more autonomy in selecting schools for their children. However, there is a disparity between Trump’s views and his own party’s. Recent ballot measures indicate that many voters in traditionally Republican areas might not fully agree with or prioritize these initiatives.

Additionally, Trump plans to close the Department of Education, citing it as unnecessary and tied to “woke” culture wars. Interestingly, red states are increasingly supporting this, advocating for more local control over K-12 schools. However, this plan is quite ambitious and may not be logistically feasible. Experts note that dismantling the department would require bipartisan congressional approval, which is unlikely, and would necessitate re-allocating its programs, such as Title I funding and federal student aid, to other agencies.

In sum, Trump’s education policy focuses on expanding school choice and abolishing the Department of Education. However, these plans would require support from constituents, Republicans, and the majority of government officials. If Trump’s views on education were implemented, policies would focus on increasing parental control over education, promoting alternatives to traditional public schools, and reducing federal oversight in favor of state and local governance.. This would shift education control to state and local governments, with a greater emphasis on parental rights and privatized options.

In the context of the United States today, gun ownership – especially of semi automatics – is quite controversial. Supporters of the Second Amendment often argue that access to these firearms is essential for personal protection and a constitutional right that should not be compromised. Conversely, many see semi automatics as a public safety threat (given their use in numerous mass shootings), arguing that they differ from standard handguns due to their rapid-fire capabilities and ability to hold larger magazines.

Following the Highland Park shooting (a July 4, 2022 parade with seven dead and 48 injured), Illinois prohibited AR-15-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, and specific firearm attachments, hoping to enhance public safety. However, a federal judge has recently overturned the ban, arguing it conflicts with Second Amendment protections and lacks historical precedent, though state officials have appealed.

Many supporters of this action argue that public safety should not come at the expense of fundamental rights. This aligns with Second Amendment protections and avoids setting a precedent that could restrict access to widely owned firearms for future decisions. However, opponents fear that communities may be more vulnerable to mass shootings. Citing the Highland Park Shooting, opponents feel the need for the ban to maintain.

A potential public policy that could balance these concerns is developing a tiered system for weapon ownership. Everyone can be granted weapons that are considered at the lower “tier,” such as a hand pistol. However, higher-risk firearms like semi automatic rifles require additional scrutiny, training, and periodic re-evaluation of the owner’s qualifications.

Regardless of the policy, situations like these demand response, as there are many consequences that could rise. Other states may face challenges in enacting similar firearm restrictions, potentially increasing public access to semiautomatic weapons. Additionally, this could lead to heightened legal battles over gun control measures and may impact the federal approach to Second Amendment interpretations.

As we discover and try new restaurants, it is imperative we consider the safety standards they uphold, sources of their ingredients, and commitment to food regulations. This focus on consumer safety in dining directly relates to public policy, as regulations governing food standards are designed to protect public health, reduce risks of foodborne illnesses, and ensure transparency across the food industry.

From Happy Meals and the iconic Big Mac to the global expansion of drive-thrus, McDonald’s has over the past 70 years become a cultural and economic powerhouse. Admired for quick service and consistency, McDonald’s influence extends beyond food, shaping societal expectations around convenience, affordability, and family-friendly dining.

However, McDonalds has recently faced an E. Coli breakout (bacterium that can lead to severe digestive issues), impacting its overall perception from society. After dozens of people fell ill, particularly in Colorado, McDonald’s saw a 10% drop in nationwide traffic, with a much higher decline in affected areas. Especially for vulnerable populations, the consumption can lead to kidney failure and other life-threatening complications.

In fast food chains like McDonalds, E. coli contamination is especially concerning because these restaurants serve millions daily and are widely accessible, often located in areas with vulnerable populations who may rely on affordable food options. With such broad reach, more rigorous safety standards are crucial, as any contamination incident has the potential to impact public health on a large scale, disproportionately affecting communities with limited healthcare resources.

This event reflects the need for public policy in an array of lenses. Beyond being found in global and domestic affairs, public policy can be applied to local issues like public health, environmental protection, and consumer safety, shaping everyday life and addressing community-specific needs. McDonalds has taken action to this, with a few plans to address their recent faults. Namely, they plan to promote $5 value meals, introduce new products like the Chicken Big Mac, and possibly focus advertising on food safety.

Recently, Hurricane Helene and Milton have destroyed many regions, namely Florida. Before this pair, Hurricane Ian was the most expensive hurricane for Sarasota and Manatee counties, resulting in insurance losses of approximately $1.25 billion in Sarasota County and $65.6 million in Manatee County. However, at $350+ million so far, Helene and Milton might come atop.

In the wake of Helene, water services and power outages remain ongoing challenges, with Duke Energy and local governments coordinating to restore essential utilities. Hurricane Milton, Category 3 hurricane making landfall on October 9, 2024, in Florida, exacerbated the situation. Striking areas still recovering from Helene’s destruction, Milton caused widespread devastation, spawning over 100 tornadoes and adding to the strain on emergency services.

Severe hurricanes like Milton and Helene are increasingly linked to climate change, as Florida’s warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger storms with higher wind speeds, rainfall, and storm surges. Rising sea levels also worsen flooding in coastal areas, amplifying the state’s vulnerability to hurricane impacts.

With these tragic events that are affecting the lives of so many innocent individuals, there are many stakeholders that could be involved to minimize the negative implications, through efficient public policies. With complex situations like this, there is no necessarily “right” approach. Society must take into context every view to ensure balance and innovative thoughts. No matter one’s political ideology, safety is a priority, emphasizing the need for it to be maintained.

Government Systems: Municipal and state governments in Florida should continue taking charge– restoring utilities, manage evacuations, and coordinate emergency responses. Neighboring states should offer support through their own resources. Through liaising with agencies and other areas, bureaucracies like FEMA need to ensure efficiency in providing financial assistance, disaster recovery resources, and large-scale emergency responses. A potential public policy could be the creation of a new agency: coordinating federal, state, and local agencies to streamline disaster response, integrate data-sharing, and develop community-specific preparedness plans.

Utility Companies/NGOs/Volunteers: Duke Energy and other local power companies work on restoring power and water services that were disrupted by the hurricanes. Convoy of Hope is one of the prominent non-profits providing emergency relief supplies, such as food, water, and hygiene kits, to communities affected by the hurricanes. Other NGOs, such as the American Red Cross, are also active in disaster recovery efforts. Building community to get churches, centers, and local volunteers to organize relief efforts, distribute supplies, and provide shelter to displaced residents is crucial. A potential public policy is the push for policies that support the undergrounding of power lines to reduce the risk of widespread outages during future hurricanes.

Colleges in Florida: Universities and colleges in Florida (UF, FSU, UMiami) house many students who may be affected by the hurricanes. Colleges may close and serve as shelters during hurricanes, while also mobilizing students for relief efforts and conducting research on disaster resilience and recovery. A potential public policy is push for funding for university research on climate resilience and disaster response, developing innovative strategies to prepare for future hurricanes.

Due to their shared geographic border, strong economic ties, and mutual security interests, Mexico and the US have maintained a strong relationship throughout history. Over the years, their cooperation has grown through trade agreements like USMCA (once was NAFTA), fostering one of the largest trading partnerships globally. Additionally, the two nations collaborate on border security, immigration, drug trafficking, and other transnational issues. However, there seems to be tensions right now in relation to immigration.

Recently, there has been a wave of violence in Sinaloa with dozens of bodies being found on public streets. This violence erupted after the U.S. arrested Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of El Chapo, in Texas. Zambada claimed he was kidnapped by Guzmán and handed over to U.S. authorities. Following their arrests, rival cartel factions began clashing violently. President López Obrador criticized the U.S. for stirring tensions, accusing it of making deals with criminal groups, though U.S. officials denied involvement in the operation.

This situation could strain their long standing cooperation on security and anti-drug efforts. Mexico’s accusations toward the U.S. is indirectly fueling violence by interfering in cartel dynamics, which may complicate joint operations and deepen mistrust. Additionally, this tension could challenge the broader relationship on issues like immigration, trade, and border security, as Mexico may feel undermined by U.S. actions perceived as unilateral or intrusive in its internal affairs. Balancing cooperation with respect for national sovereignty could become more difficult.

Potential policies could include establishing regular high-level diplomatic meetings focused on shared security concerns and promoting community engagement programs that foster cooperation and development. Additionally, another policy could be to enhance bilateral security cooperation to ensure coordinated efforts against cartels, and revised extradition protocols to avoid disruptions that provoke violence. Lastly, the U.S. could increase investments in community development programs in Mexico to address the root causes of cartel recruitment.

Gun violence continues to prevail in the United States, with more and more shootings occurring. On September 4, 2024, a tragic mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulted in the deaths of four individuals: 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, as well as teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. Along with these deaths, eight students and one teacher were injured, fortunately expected to survive.

The shooter was one of the school’s own, 14-year-old boy Colt Gray, who is now facing murder charges as an adult. Before the shooting had occurred, Apalachee High School received a phone threat warning of potential shootings at multiple schools, leading to increased security measures in the area. However, when Gray let his Algebra class and returned later around 9:45 am, the shooting began. Law enforcement received reports at around 10:20 am, where they responded to the scene and were able to apprehend Gray. Now, Gray faces 14 charges, including involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder, which could result in a sentence of up to 180 years if convicted.

Colt Gray faced bullying at school, leading his father, Colin Gray, to seek help from administrators. While Colin described his son as a “good boy” who wouldn’t commit violence, he acknowledged the bullying’s impact on Colt and the family’s turmoil. Further, Colt had shown interest in past mass shootings, particularly the 2018 Parkland shooting, and sought a change in school districts due to the ridicule he faced.

Gray’s father was arrested for gifting Gray the AR-15 rifle which was used in the massacre. This raises the interesting question of how much should parents be held accountable for their children’s access to firearms, particularly in cases where prior warning signs, such as bullying or mental health issues, were evident?

Overall, this incident reflects the growing problem of gun violence, where now young kids are being found in the loop of this, as both victim and perpetrator. Many questions are being raised from this situation, and policymakers need to analyze and answer these questions to ensure a stable and flourishing environment.