The Pardon Problem

The president’s power to pardon has been enshrined in the Constitution ever since it was first ratified at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Among the convention’s Framers, it was Alexander Hamilton who argued most fervently for the existence of pardon powers. Hamilton argued in Federalist 74 that the president’s ability to grant clemency and pardons […]

Geopolitically Fickle States and the Liberal International Order

In the coming decades, there are a handful of states that could realistically align themselves with either the liberal-democratic international order—a system of international relations defined by adherence to international law, open and liberal free trade, and belief in the natural rights of human beings—or today’s autocracies. Such geopolitically fickle states hesitate to commit themselves […]

Xylazine: An Undercover Antagonist in the Opioid Crisis

Xylazine, more commonly known as “tranq,” is a strong sedative that has been approved for veterinary use. Because xylazine is intended exclusively for veterinary use, its adverse effects on humans are not taken into consideration from a regulatory standpoint, putting users at risk. Its unique danger arises from its undetectability, as it’s not classified as […]