Experts in the News | Miller Center

Opinion: President Biden, don’t help our adversaries break NATO

Declaring “America is back,” President Biden has pledged to restore alliance ties badly battered by his predecessor. Nevertheless, his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan caused dismay in NATO capitals, and the administration’s decision to create a British, U.S. and Australian submarine program infuriated France. But both actions pale in significance to what might occur if Biden continues to pursue a major change in U.S. nuclear deterrence policy — despite strong allied opposition — because that change would strike at the heart of transatlantic ties and would be interpreted as a huge step toward decoupling the United States from Europe’s defense. NATO defense ministers queued up to make this point unequivocally to Lloyd Austin at a recent ministerial meeting.

Eric Edelman

Opinion/Column: Democracy in Danger in Virginia?

Virginians head to the polls today to choose their next governor. They’ll do so following a campaign that has been as partisan and polarized as ever. With Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin essentially tied in the polls, the candidates have spent the final days of the race hoping to mobilize their respective bases with pitched partisan appeals.

Jennifer Lawless

Virginia Governor Race Reflects National Spotlight on Paid Leave

“Part of the reason paid leave is getting so much attention in the Virginia governor’s race is that it’s been getting so much national attention as well,” said Jennifer Lawless, a professor of politics and public policy at the University of Virginia.

Jennifer Lawless

‘He poked mama bear’: Education clashes shape Virginia governor’s race

Like “soccer moms” of the 1990s, or “security moms” of the 2000s, this year’s “school board moms” have already been dubbed a pivotal swing vote. “These are independent women who live in the suburbs and are concerned about what’s going on in their kids’ schools,” says Jennifer Lawless, an expert on women and politics at the University of Virginia. “They were the ones responsible for providing homeschooling for a year, they are implementing COVID protocols in their home, and in many places, they believe they know better than the government what their kids should be learning.”

Jennifer Lawless

Will the Virginia governor's race be a referendum on Biden or Trump?

University of Virginia Professor of Politics, Jennifer Lawless, and University of Virginia Miller Center Senior Fellow, Mary Kate Cary, joined Chris Jansing live from Richmond, Virginia to preview Tuesday's high-stakes gubernatorial election there. They discuss what the race could signal for the 2022 midterms and how former President Donald Trump's influence could impact the results. "What Glenn Youngkin is trying to do is have his cake and eat it too," Lawless said.

Mary Kate Cary

Will the Virginia governor's race be a referendum on Biden or Trump?

Jennifer Lawless