LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
@lseusablog.bsky.social
Multi-disciplinary blog covering all aspects of USA governance, economics, politics, culture and society. Also covers Canada and Mexico. Part of the LSE Phelan United States Centre.
Read all our articles at https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/
Read all our articles at https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/
Listen to The Ballpark podcast: America adrift with Professor @slaughteram.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
America adrift with Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter | The Ballpark podcast | LSE United States Politics and Policy
America is undergoing profound change. Demographic transformation, shifting global power dynamics, and a foreign policy establishment in transition are reshaping how the United States sees itself—and ...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 17, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Listen to The Ballpark podcast: America adrift with Professor @slaughteram.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Concerns about US institutions suggest that ongoing loyalty from other democracies can no longer be taken for granted write @haeunchoi.bsky.social, Scott de Marchi, Max Gallop, and Shahryar Minhas
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Concerns about US institutions suggest that ongoing loyalty from other democracies can no longer be taken for granted | United States Politics and Policy
The last two decades have seen the US intervene in Iraq and Afghanistan. In new research, Ha Eun Choi, Scott de Marchi, Max Gallop, and Shahryar Minhas explore the effects of these often-costly overse...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Concerns about US institutions suggest that ongoing loyalty from other democracies can no longer be taken for granted write @haeunchoi.bsky.social, Scott de Marchi, Max Gallop, and Shahryar Minhas
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
How foreign policy really could make a difference in the midterm elections
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 Midterms: How foreign policy really could make a difference in the midterm elections | United States Politics and Policy
Donald Trump’s unpopularity is being fuelled by the negative economic impacts of his administration’s tariffs.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM
How foreign policy really could make a difference in the midterm elections
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
I wrote for LSE about how the NJ-11 Special Election demonstrates why the Blue Wave in November is already locked in. It's less about what happens between now and Election Day than it is about the strategic decisions of candidates made months ago.
The candidates running in the 2026 midterm elections may be just as important as the voters writes @dancassino.bsky.social of @fduwhatsnew.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Why the candidates running in the 2026 midterm elections may be just as important as the voters | United States Politics and Policy
Why the Democrats' "Blue Wave" may be a self-fulfilling prophecy
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 5:53 PM
I wrote for LSE about how the NJ-11 Special Election demonstrates why the Blue Wave in November is already locked in. It's less about what happens between now and Election Day than it is about the strategic decisions of candidates made months ago.
The candidates running in the 2026 midterm elections may be just as important as the voters writes @dancassino.bsky.social of @fduwhatsnew.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Why the candidates running in the 2026 midterm elections may be just as important as the voters | United States Politics and Policy
Why the Democrats' "Blue Wave" may be a self-fulfilling prophecy
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The candidates running in the 2026 midterm elections may be just as important as the voters writes @dancassino.bsky.social of @fduwhatsnew.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
Can middle powers work together to reshape global governance? In a post on the @sjrickard.bsky.social @lsegovernment.bsky.social finds that they already have.
She finds that coalitions of middle powers – and not the largest countries – made the largest contributions @lseusablog.bsky.social.
She finds that coalitions of middle powers – and not the largest countries – made the largest contributions @lseusablog.bsky.social.
Middle powers are rising – here’s how they can shape global governance | United States Politics and Policy
Middle powers can work together to reshape global governance
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Can middle powers work together to reshape global governance? In a post on the @sjrickard.bsky.social @lsegovernment.bsky.social finds that they already have.
She finds that coalitions of middle powers – and not the largest countries – made the largest contributions @lseusablog.bsky.social.
She finds that coalitions of middle powers – and not the largest countries – made the largest contributions @lseusablog.bsky.social.
Voters know that politicians are rich, but dramatically underestimate just how rich they are write Marko Klašnja of Georgetown University and @luciamotoliniac.bsky.social of Washington University in St. Louis blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Voters know that politicians are rich, but dramatically underestimate just how rich they are | United States Politics and Policy
Telling voters the truth about politicians’ wealth makes little difference to their attitudes towards their elected representatives.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Voters know that politicians are rich, but dramatically underestimate just how rich they are write Marko Klašnja of Georgetown University and @luciamotoliniac.bsky.social of Washington University in St. Louis blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Sungmin Cho of SungKyunKwan University writes that Trump’s “America First” focus is reducing confrontation with China but risks greater regional instability blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump’s “America First” focus is reducing confrontation with China but risks greater regional instability | United States Politics and Policy
Greater competition between the US and China has led to both countries pushing increasingly assertive policies towards one another. Sungmin Cho writes that this confrontation has become self-reinforci...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Sungmin Cho of SungKyunKwan University writes that Trump’s “America First” focus is reducing confrontation with China but risks greater regional instability blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Middle powers are rising – Professor @sjrickard.bsky.social of @lsegovernment.bsky.social writes on how they can shape global governance
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Middle powers are rising – here’s how they can shape global governance | United States Politics and Policy
Middle powers can work together to reshape global governance
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Middle powers are rising – Professor @sjrickard.bsky.social of @lsegovernment.bsky.social writes on how they can shape global governance
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy @csis.org | The Ballpark podcast blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy | The Ballpark podcast | United States Politics and Policy
To talk about the current state of US-China relations, in October 2025 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 5:18 PM
US-China relations in an era of illiberalism with Dr Scott Kennedy @csis.org | The Ballpark podcast blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
Trump threatened to annex Greenland, citing US national security interests. And while he has since backed down from using force to achieve this, he hasn't abandoned the goal.
But why does he want the territory when the security argument doesn't add up? Peter Harris for @lseusablog.bsky.social
But why does he want the territory when the security argument doesn't add up? Peter Harris for @lseusablog.bsky.social
Why the US can and should leave Greenland alone for now | United States Politics and Policy
While Greenland is geopolitically important, there is no need for the US to control it.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Trump threatened to annex Greenland, citing US national security interests. And while he has since backed down from using force to achieve this, he hasn't abandoned the goal.
But why does he want the territory when the security argument doesn't add up? Peter Harris for @lseusablog.bsky.social
But why does he want the territory when the security argument doesn't add up? Peter Harris for @lseusablog.bsky.social
Nonverbal analysis of the 2025 Alaska Summit shows how Putin dominated attention over Trump blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Nonverbal analysis of the 2025 Alaska Summit shows how Putin dominated attention over Trump | United States Politics and Policy
Studying subtle cues like gaze and speaking time shows that in Alaska, Putin was more assertive compared to Trump.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Nonverbal analysis of the 2025 Alaska Summit shows how Putin dominated attention over Trump blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump II means global production networks are coupling and decoupling in a world of trade policy uncertainty writes Louise Curran of Toulouse Business School blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump II means global production networks are coupling and decoupling in a world of trade policy uncertainty | United States Politics and Policy
The likely outcome is a world of shorter, more cautious, and more politically dependent production networks
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Trump II means global production networks are coupling and decoupling in a world of trade policy uncertainty writes Louise Curran of Toulouse Business School blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The US can and should leave Greenland alone for now writes Peter Harris of Colorado State University blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Why the US can and should leave Greenland alone for now | United States Politics and Policy
While Greenland is geopolitically important, there is no need for the US to control it.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:29 PM
The US can and should leave Greenland alone for now writes Peter Harris of Colorado State University blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
Here’s a blog post version of my recent paper in BJPS on coal dominance and local government capacity. Thanks, USAPP, for the opportunity to share a more accessible version of this work!
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments | United States Politics and Policy
When a single industry dominates a place’s economy, local governments tend to be weak, underfunded, and low in capacity.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Here’s a blog post version of my recent paper in BJPS on coal dominance and local government capacity. Thanks, USAPP, for the opportunity to share a more accessible version of this work!
From Monroe to “Donroe” Doctrine, Republican interventionism in the Americas is nothing new blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
From Monroe to “Donroe” Doctrine, Republican interventionism in the Americas is nothing new | United States Politics and Policy
Trump’s foreign policy is a continuation of the Monroe Doctrine of the 1820s.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
From Monroe to “Donroe” Doctrine, Republican interventionism in the Americas is nothing new blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments | United States Politics and Policy
When a single industry dominates a place’s economy, local governments tend to be weak, underfunded, and low in capacity.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Company towns have left a lasting legacy of underfunded and underpowered local governments
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump’s Greenland threats placed US allies and military in an impossible position blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Trump’s Greenland threats placed US allies and military in an impossible position | United States Politics and Policy
Recent weeks have seen escalating threats by Donald Trump to annex Greenland, with growing concern about the potential use of military force against a NATO ally. While Trump may have ruled out using f...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Trump’s Greenland threats placed US allies and military in an impossible position blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by LSE US Politics and Policy blog - USAPP
Very happy to see this paper getting broader attention through the LSE USAPP blog. The piece summarizes our BJPS study on how anti-Asian hate crimes in the US shape perceptions of the US across nine Asian countries, and what congressional responses can (and cannot) do to mitigate the damage.
Anti-Asian hate crimes in the US damage America’s reputation across Asia find @inbok.bsky.social, Joonseok Yang, @sungeunkim.bsky.social and @jongheepark.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Anti-Asian hate crimes in the US damage America’s reputation across Asia | USAPP
Exposure to information about anti-Asian hate crimes increases negative views of Americans and the US overall.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Very happy to see this paper getting broader attention through the LSE USAPP blog. The piece summarizes our BJPS study on how anti-Asian hate crimes in the US shape perceptions of the US across nine Asian countries, and what congressional responses can (and cannot) do to mitigate the damage.
“Is AI a threat or an opportunity for the US?” Listen to a podcast interview with the winner and runners up of our 2025 master’s students essay competition
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
“Is AI a threat or an opportunity for the US?” Master’s students essay competition 2025 | The Ballpark podcast | United States Politics and Policy
Recent years have seen growth in the capability and use of AI tools across society, including by business, academia, the media, and in the economy more widely. Many institutions have embraced AI tools...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 20, 2026 at 4:37 PM
“Is AI a threat or an opportunity for the US?” Listen to a podcast interview with the winner and runners up of our 2025 master’s students essay competition
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Anti-Asian hate crimes in the US damage America’s reputation across Asia find @inbok.bsky.social, Joonseok Yang, @sungeunkim.bsky.social and @jongheepark.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Anti-Asian hate crimes in the US damage America’s reputation across Asia | USAPP
Exposure to information about anti-Asian hate crimes increases negative views of Americans and the US overall.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 19, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Anti-Asian hate crimes in the US damage America’s reputation across Asia find @inbok.bsky.social, Joonseok Yang, @sungeunkim.bsky.social and @jongheepark.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 Midterms: @carolineleicht.bsky.social of @manchester.ac.uk writes on why Trump’s attacks on Colbert and late-night comedy matter for the US media landscape and the midterms
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 Midterms: Why Trump’s attacks on Colbert and late-night comedy matter for the US media landscape and the midterms | USAPP
Late night television comedy programmes are watched by millions of Americans. With political comedy becoming an increasingly important part of these shows, Donald Trump at first relied on them, but du...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
The 2026 Midterms: @carolineleicht.bsky.social of @manchester.ac.uk writes on why Trump’s attacks on Colbert and late-night comedy matter for the US media landscape and the midterms
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
What's in store for US politics in 2026? Trump abroad, America turns 250 and the midterm elections
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
US politics in 2026: Trump abroad, America turns 250 and the midterm elections | USAPP
What to look out for in US politics in 2026.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:55 AM
What's in store for US politics in 2026? Trump abroad, America turns 250 and the midterm elections
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy writes @jpolga.bsky.social of the U.S. Naval Academy blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy | USAPP
While Maduro has been removed, Venezuela remains a dictatorship, and one that is unlikely to transition to a democracy without specific US interventions.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:12 AM
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy writes @jpolga.bsky.social of the U.S. Naval Academy blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 midterms: Peter Finn of Kingston University writes on what to expect on this year’s electoral calendar blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2026 midterms: What to expect on this year’s electoral calendar | USAPP
In November this year, 35 US Senate seats and all 435 US House seats will be up for election in the 2026 midterms. From primaries to the Congressional calendar, as the year begins, Peter Finn maps the...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM
The 2026 midterms: Peter Finn of Kingston University writes on what to expect on this year’s electoral calendar blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...