The views expressed in The HKS Student Policy Review are those of the author(s) and/or interviewees only, and do not represent the views of the Shorenstein Center, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, the editors of The HKS Student Policy Review, or any of its affiliates. An editorial board consisting of Harvard students independently edits and publishes all content.
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Economic and Political Development
Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Ambitions: A Path to Sovereignty or Dependency?
05.13.25
Read More“Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a key supporter of this initiative, sees nuclear energy as a pathway to securing Kazakhstan’s long-term stability and energy independence. Yet a critical question remains: Will this decision bolster the country’s energy sovereignty or will it expose it to new vulnerabilities?”
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Business and Government
From Moonshots to Stagnation: Is Government Innovation a Thing of the Past?
05.13.25
Read More“Today, the term moonshot is most commonly associated with the tech ecosystem, where Big Tech has assumed the role of global innovation leadership. This raises a fundamental question: Is the trajectory of human progress now dictated solely by private-sector interests? If innovation were to be driven primarily by profit-driven corporations, what values and priorities shape the future of technological development?”
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International and Global Affairs
A New EU-US Relationship
05.5.25
Read MoreFor decades, the transatlantic alliance has rested on two pillars: a deep trade relationship and Europe’s near-total dependency on U.S. military protection. But recent moves from Washington have shaken that foundation.
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Kazakhstan & Central Asia: Brain Drain or Brain Gain?
05.1.25
“This ongoing “brain-drain” in Kazakhstan, which has led to an exodus of roughly 366,000 people in the last ten years, is a worrisome phenomenon and threat to our country’s future. How did we arrive at a point where we are losing the most valuable resource – our human capital? What can be done to reverse the trend and create a long-term “brain-gain” instead?”
On the Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, Beware of the Desire to Save Face at All Costs
04.30.25
Fifty years ago today, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese, officially rendering the United States’ decades-long misadventure in Vietnam a failure.[i] The troubling reality of wartime decision-making is that it was not based primarily on whether the United States could feasibly win, or even whether Vietnam was strategically important. Rather, policymakers in Washington escalated the […]
Coping with America First: Lessons from History
04.30.25
Since President Trump returned to the Oval Office in January 2025, the relationship between the United States and Europe has been in free fall.
Why Are We Not Talking About Climate Change’s Role in Escalating Gender-Based Violence?
04.22.25
“The world today has no shortage of climate shocks, and its impacts continue to be dangerously and disproportionately felt by marginalized groups, perpetuating an enduring cycle of violence.”
Suturing the Benefit Gap
03.10.25
“Imagine a world where low-income individuals walk into a community health clinic for a check-up and leave with the financial resources to build a healthier, more secure future for their families. That vision is now a reality.”
Kazakhstan’s ‘Oreo’ Model: A Unique Path Between Giants
03.10.25
In the turbulent theater of global geopolitics, Kazakhstan – sandwiched between two major regional powers, Russia and China – occupies a unique yet precarious position.
Democrats Need to Mobilize. Here’s Where They Should Start.
03.1.25
“Now is not the time to retreat to our bubbles, to put our heads in the sand, or to shout “I told you so.” It’s time to frame Trump’s actions in terms most meaningful to those we lost from the party. If we stay silent, this dystopia might be here to stay.”
U.S. National Security Policymakers Are Learning (Some Of) The Wrong Lessons from Ukraine
02.28.25
“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a wave of speculation in U.S and other media about the rise of new technologies in warfare. However, many policymakers are drawing the wrong conclusions: that due to the rise of robotics, drones, and artificial intelligence, warfare will be radically smaller. Instead, the evidence from Ukraine points to the fact that while technological change is occurring, mass remains an essential component of modern warfare and U.S. national security policy needs to adjust accordingly.”
The U.S. at a Crossroads: A View from a Japanese Student
02.13.25
Japan is closely watching the early days of the Donald Trump presidency.
Building Digital Public Infrastructure in Emerging Economies Is More A Question of Will than Resources
02.6.25
“Imagine a world where accessing healthcare, education, and financial services is as seamless as sending a message on your smartphone. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is the backbone of this vision – a transformative framework of interoperable, scalable, and inclusive digital systems that empower governments and citizens alike, driving innovation, equity, and sustainable development on an unprecedented scale.”
With Trump’s Return to Power, Taiwanese President Lai Has a Clear Way Forward
02.2.25
“With President Trump in the Oval Office, Taiwan must justify continued American support by implementing large-scale and painstaking military reforms to show how seriously it takes its own defense,” writes Naveen Krishnan (HKS MPP 2026). “Large-scale reforms will align with Trump’s focus on allies becoming more self-reliant and deserving of US sacrifice.”
Education as a Diplomatic Tool: Bridging U.S.-China Divides for a Collaborative Future
01.17.25
“Unlike political agreements often marked by contention and short-term interests, education and research transcend borders, driven by collaboration and a shared pursuit of progress. By viewing education exchanges as strategic platforms for cultivating long-term relationships and mutual respect, the U.S. and China can foster cooperation and build deeper, more enduring bonds of trust.”
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