RESEARCH

PUBLICATIONS

"The Liminal and Universal: Changing Interpretations of Hekate"

Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics | Vol. 5 No. 1

Abstract: Hekate is considered one of the most enigmatic figures of Greek religion. In the Theogony, she is referred to as a universal goddess. Nevertheless, her figure transforms into that of a chthonic figure, associated with witchcraft and the restless dead. This paper examines how Hekate's role in the Greek pantheon has changed over time, and with what figures she has been syncretized or associated with to bring about such changes. In doing so, three images of the same goddess emerge: Hekate the universal life-bringing deity, Hekate the liminal goddess of the crossroads, and Hekate the chthonic overseer of witchcraft and angry spirits.

"Hearts and Minds: A Comparison of Counter-Radicalization Strategies in the United States and the United Kingdom" 
Cornell International Affairs Review | Vol. 9 No. 2 

Abstract: Bataclan. San Bernadino. One need not read any further to understand how radicalization is crucial to counterterrorism and national security. Some states have implemented counter-radicalization strategies to cull terrorism at its root. These tactics fall within two broad groups: the North American method, which emphasizes behavioral radicalization, and the European method, which stresses cognitive radicalization. This paper compares the two methods by examining counter-radicalization strategies in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Case studies explain the social ramifications and the effectiveness of the US’ Countering Violent Extremism policy and the UK’s Prevent strategy, and the roles they play in abolishing or inadvertently incentivizing social divisions that lead to radicalization and terrorism. While the US strategy emphasizes the role of law enforcement, the UK strategy focuses on the role of community in preventing terrorism, including those of universities and healthcare providers. This difference is crucial in how Muslim communities view their place in the broader context of society, which makes up a fundamental precept of political alienation. Consequentially, this paper brings radicalization studies out of the ivory tower and into its broader sociopolitical context and effects.

"In Bad Faith: China's Words and Actions in the South China Sea" 
PSSO Review | Spring 2016 

Abstract: The belief that China’s rise may be a security threat to the United States is rooted not only in foreign trade but also in China’s aggressive tactics in the South China Sea. China has continually reiterated its “indisputable” claims as well as conducted military maneuvers in the disputed waters. In this paper, I examine the validity of China’s legal claims under the applicable regimes of law. I first show how China’s claims do not fall under applicable treaty law, namely the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). I then discuss various concepts in customary law that may apply in lieu of treaties, and find those insufficient to allow China to advance a legally tenable position on the South China Sea. Then, I examine the relationship between international law and use of force by showing how China’s legally weak claims forces the state to use force illegally and claim violations of international law when other countries legally pass through the seas. 

"An Election to Watch in Taiwan"
U.S. News and World Report | 15 January 2016

OTHER PAPERS

"Discord & Harmony: U.S.-China Relations from the Citizen's Perspective" 

Description: Using data from Pew's Global Attitudes Project, which monitors citizens' opinions on a wide variety of political and economic subjects from all around the world, I built an analysis of the U.S.-China relationship and competition. The final paper's analytic core rests on public opinion polls regarding favorability of the other country, cultural influence, and foreign-policy decision-making. However, in my process of going through Pew's vast datasets, I have collected data on economic competition and whether the world sees the economic balance of power shifting away from the United States towards China. It is a topic I would love to analyze and elaborate upon for a future project. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) can be downloaded here.

"Colonial Contribution to Communal Conflict" 

Description: Quantitative analysis on how colonial legacy (i.e. Daron Acemoglu's thesis of colonial legacy and institutional development) was not significantly correlated with political violence, using Acemoglu's papers on settler mortality and population density in 1500, as well as Djankov/LLSV's papers on legal origin theory. I also use Polity III, Polity IV, and Political Risk Services data in my analysis.

You can download the data for the paper here (.xlsx format).

OTHER PAST PROJECTS

September 2015 - December 2015

Internship at the American Foreign Policy Council

While I was an intern at AFPC, I co-wrote a briefing book with two of my peers, drafted a trip report for a recent delegation visit to Ukraine, and researched Mandarin Chinese articles for a senior fellow's research project on past wars fought by the People's Republic of China.  I also wrote an opinion editorial, which was published by the U.S. News and World Report. It is located here.

June 2015 - August 2015

Internship at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

While staffing events, my main task was to write a research paper on U.S.-China cybersecurity challenges. 

Summary: The rise of China evidences that we have to carefully evaluate how China can be a national security threat to the United States of America, because to make grandiose claims is neither productive nor helpful. To that end, my research project seeks to ascertain to what latitude China’s cyber capabilities and strategic objectives affect U.S. strategic autonomy. This will be done through literature review and interviews with experts. From there, my policy goals are to explain how the United States should change its cyber strategies.

March 2015 - June 2015

Paper Title: "Consequences of Income Inequality in the People's Republic of China"

Description: Statistical analysis on the perceptions of the income inequality gap in China and how that affects Chinese citizens' satisfaction with their country and, by proxy, the government. Part one evaluates Chinese citizens' satisfaction with their country from 2002 to 2013 using data from the Pew Global Attitudes Project, and examines the trend across a variety of factors that potentially affect the data, e.g. satisfaction with job and income or real purchasing power. Part two regresses the satisfaction data against the socioeconomic backgrounds of the respondents to test for a correlation.

You can download the data used in the paper here (.xlsx format).