The US-Iran relationship has been complex for decades, with events like the 1953 overthrow of Iran's prime minister and the 1979 hostage crisis shaping tensions that persist today. An international relations professor gives the background history:
The Conversation
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites
Some major events in the history of US-Iran relations highlight differences between the countries’ views, but others have presented real opportun...
New research reveals observers of workplace mistreatment may be as affected as the victims themselves. A meta-analysis of 158 studies shows significant emotional impact on third-party witnesses.
The Conversation
Observers of workplace mistreatment react as strongly as the victims − at times with a surprising amount of victim blaming
Witnesses to workplace mistreatment respond with both schadenfreude and empathy, an analysis of 158 studies found.
Hiring isn’t on pause, but it is more cautious. The 2025 College Hiring Outlook finds companies leaning on internships, co-ops and trial roles to "audition" recent grads before committing. A professor who works on career readiness explains what job seekers need to know:
The Conversation
Companies haven’t stopped hiring, but they’re more cautious, according to the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report
A survey of 1,300 businesses shows that employers are increasingly using internships and AI tools to evaluate candidates for full-time jobs.
#AI is bringing the dead back – into courtrooms, classrooms and concerts. From a murder victim delivering an AI-generated impact statement to Agatha Christie teaching a writing class, these “reanimations” raise big ethical questions: Who gets to speak for the dead? And what does it do to their legacy?
The Conversation
AI ‘reanimations’: Making facsimiles of the dead raises ethical quandaries
AI avatars of dead people are teaching courses and testifying in court. Even with the best of intentions, the emerging practice of AI ‘reanimatio...
Federal troops on the streets of L.A. to crush immigration #protests? It contrasts sharply with how Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson used the National Guard to protect marchers, students and bus riders during the Civil Rights movement to expand rights.
The Conversation
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement
During Jim Crow segregation, political leaders used domestic military power to preserve the interests of racial authoritarians.
 #USPolitics
Abolish state governments? Legal scholar Stephen Legomsky makes the case in a provocative new book, and in this interview with our politics editor. He explains why he believes states are at the root of America’s democratic dysfunction – and that having both state and local governments is no longer necessary:
The Conversation
A radical proposal to abolish state government and strengthen American democracy
What would the United States be without its states? A better, more democatic country, says one legal scholar.
 #USPolitics
Germany’s chancellor just did what was once unthinkable: openly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. His rebuke marks a historic break from decades of silence rooted in Holocaust guilt, and a shift in how Germany balances its past with present-day human rights.
The Conversation
German chancellor’s rebuke of Israel marks a shift in state policy that has long put such criticism out of bounds
Germany’s ‘Staatsräson’ has long held Israel’s security as its ‘reason of state.’
 #Gaza #Israel #Germany #History
#Juneteenth went from a little-known local tradition to a national holiday in just a few years. But many Americans are still figuring out what it means (and how to best honor it).
The Conversation
What’s the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans
As one critic asked, has Juneteenth devolved ‘into an exploitative and profit-driven enterprise for companies that disregard the true significanc...
Why does the smell of burgers or cut grass feel so good? It’s not just memories, it’s science. Nostalgia through food and scent can actually boost your well-being and sense of connection.
The Conversation
Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being
Once thought to be an unhealthy experience, researchers now know that feelings of nostalgia can promote greater social connectedness and a deeper s...
 #food #wellness
A review of 70+ studies finds SAT/ACT scores reflect access to wealth and prep, not true potential. GPA is a better predictor of success.
The Conversation
The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential
Calls to reprioritize standardized tests in college admissions have sparked debate over the merits of the exams.