I am starting to consider that the most meaningful discoveries are often coincidental.  Perhaps that is why I was not drawn to world affairs through a history book or academic course.  Instead, I found myself wandering the streets of Veurne, admiring historical landmarks, and  experiencing the intricacies of another culture that cannot be replicated abstractly. This may seem  detached from the reality of international affairs, but I share it to reflect on the unconventional  ways that people discover passions and purpose. For me, this impromptu excursion across the  Atlantic ignited my curiosity in understanding how varying forms of government collaborate  diplomatically despite holding conflicting values. Weeks ago, “world affairs” was a distant  definition. Now, I am equally confused and increasingly fascinated by the vast world behind this  paradoxically complex term.  

I began studying international affairs by listening to the Drinks & Diplomacy podcast, a  nine-topic series hosted by Tim Horgan and Andrea Castillo. As someone with minimal exposure  to global affairs, I entered my experience uncertain of what to expect and how much information  I would retain. After listening to the podcast, I have written down a few key takeaways. 

1. Parse into Pieces  

Approaching a broad subject without a proper plan can create a confusing maze of dense  information, meaningless words, and several subtopics anchored to nothing. It becomes difficult to  decipher which elements should be memorized and can quickly dissolve the desire to learn. I found the  topic of world affairs a particularly interesting field because of its undefined scope. Exactly what falls  under the category of world affairs, and how can a newcomer find an entry point to such an expansive  field? 

Drinks & Diplomacy answered my questions through incremental portions. The field cannot be  concisely summarized, so the podcast explains isolated branches of international affairs, allowing the  listener to build a small foundation with each episode. The topics introduced are broken up by brief  interludes of casual conversation recalling stories or discussing drinks. While these moments provide  entertainment, they are positioned in a way that never interrupts the episode’s central lesson. I found the  episode "Making International Trade Fun" an excellent example of this balance: entertaining stories,  acronyms, and strange tariffs are woven throughout to keep the listener engaged. At a higher level, this  format helped sustain my attention. Episodes resemble structured conversations more than instructional  lectures, inviting the audience to feel like a participant rather than a third party.  

Another intriguing aspect is the podcast’s limited scope. Drinks & Diplomacy is not  comprehensive, and that is precisely the element that makes it most effective. It selects bounded topics  that can be summarized within the confines of podcast episodes, never endeavoring to replace standard  educational materials. It serves as a sample of sorts, an introductory perspective of international affairs  approached from an oblique angle. It does not emphasize explicit details regarding foreign policy or  diplomatic processes, instead using real world examples and interesting scenarios. The episodes are  concise enough to end just before the audience wants them to, leaving a lingering desire for more.  

2. Understanding Global Affairs as a Causal Chain  

At a conceptual level, world affairs can appear distant and abstract. Diplomats, policy makers, and  government officials negotiating trade and discussing transnational issues can appear a far cry from the  everyday challenges faced by average citizens. This perceived sense of detachment can create the illusion  that citizens do not play a role in global affairs. Still, as I listened to the Drinks &  

Diplomacy podcast, I was struck by the concrete presentation of issues. People are a prominent part of  world affairs, both as variables within a global system and as individuals united by human experience. 

“Impact of Exchange” episode guest Janine Branch articulates this first aspect well when she  asserts that, “at the end of the day, we are a global society.” She highlights the universal nuances of  emotional experiences that unite humanity through laughter, tears, and familial bonds that surpass  language and culture. Recognizing this invisible link emphasizes the importance of international issues  even when they occur across continents. Cultural resonance is not required to comprehend the  severity of uncertainty, fear, and need for psychological security.  

Extending this idea of human experience as a global link, I found the underlying prevalence of  relative struggle a compelling piece of the podcast. Whether the episode fixates on the environmental  repercussions of industrializing Native land, or what it means to be a citizen living under a totalitarian  government, each issue is grounded by the perspective of human experience. Statistics, probability, and  abstract terms do not provide the relevance to the listener that understanding common feelings do.  

The trials experienced by females living in Taliban-occupied Afghanistan and dissatisfaction over  the gender pay gap faced by women of Western nations are not comparable in severity and consequences.  One entails a deprivation of basic human rights, while the other involves a violation of civil rights and  perceived inequality within an otherwise democratic system. Still, they demonstrate how humans can  have a similar underlying response to drastically different situations. In this way, relating to the turmoil of  someone experiencing a radically worse form of injustice does not require equivalent circumstances, but  merely the recognition of mutual suffering. Articulating this connection is a crucial part of understanding  international affairs as a relevant field with tangible consequences for individuals.  

Scrutinizing world affairs with a causal lens reveals that humans are one of the many forces  driving global affairs, not participants or mere observers. Perhaps international issues discussed at a high  level are intangible because they have been extracted from society and packaged with institutional  labeling. Asking an individual to refrain from dumping gasoline into a pond inhabited with wildlife seems  a reasonable request. Alleging that dumping gasoline into a pond places responsibility on them for climate change may appear an absurd exaggeration. Both accusations carry the same principal concern of  perpetrating environmental harm, yet the second is likely to be perceived as a disproportionate accusation  because it places the blame of a global issue on a specific person. It is worth considering that at a basic  level, some international issues are made up of the cumulative effects of individual actions.  

The podcast carries this concept into the “Climate Change” episode. Co-hosts Tim and Andrea  discuss the environmental impacts of industrial innovation with guest Gerard Rodriguez, who conveys the  detrimental fallout that factories have had on Native land and culture. His focus on the Willamette Falls  project is effective because it presents a clear problem with a proposed solution. Worrying about whether  the sun will eviscerate the earth in several million years or dissecting minuscule fluctuations in the  ocean’s temperature are not issues that most individuals concern themselves with because there is no immediate impact that they can visibly make. The Willamette Falls project evades this obstacle by  identifying an issue, highlighting exacerbating factors, and presenting a plan to repair damage to the  environment. I found the prospect of combating climate change through efforts to restore specific  locations a far more actionable endeavor with an achievable outcome.  

3. Attaching Terminology to Meaning  

Memorizing terminology can be enjoyable or nightmarish depending on psychological makeup. I  tend to stray to the latter. My consensus is that it is an irritating yet integral part of learning any new field.  Without an adequate understanding of relevant terms, navigating adjacent literature is essentially  incomprehensible. It is also an immensely uninteresting process to refrain from reading certain materials  until the building block terminology has been mentally installed. Perhaps this is why I was pleasantly  surprised by the subtle introduction of various words and definitions within Drinks & Diplomacy.  

The ease with which definitions evolve comes from the contextual foundation constructed around  their introduction. Tim Horgan does not urge listeners to memorize the definition of illiberal democracy 

by stating the term and subsequent definition. Rather, he maneuvers around various elements of such a  government, providing several examples of illiberal democracies and their associated conditions, before offering a concise label.  I enjoy this style because there are multiple reference points to recall rather than a singular  abstract word holding vague meaning. It is comparable to being offered a bag with a handle rather than six  isolated items. Similarly, drinks are easy to remember because they occupy little mental space and are  commonly referenced in social settings. The mere mention of a French ’77 may trigger a memory of the  episode and subsequently the associated topic, leading to implicit recall that ensures concepts are not  easily forgotten.  

Conclusion: 

The lesson I learned through Drinks & Diplomacy is that few things are as intangible as they  seem. I was exploring Veurne, fascinated by a field I could not articulate, and now I am studying global  affairs scrutinizing words I struggle to recall. Perhaps life is a process of never believing in the next step  until it has been taken. Nevertheless, from the strategic approach of abbreviated information to the  grounded discussions about international trade, I found the field much less daunting than I anticipated. It  is not one insurmountable feat, but rather a collection of concepts to slowly sort through as the foundation  develops over time. The podcast entices listeners into continuing their exploration of the subject by  maintaining a light-hearted tone, selecting fragments of the field to discuss, and generating relatability  through emphasis on the universal human experience. After my listening experience, I can confidently  say that I still know very little about international affairs, but I am very eager to continue learning.

By: Olivia Chamberlain, WACNH Intern

Every year, about 7000 fires blaze across Canada, burning an average of 6.6 million acres of land. In 2026, over 10 million acres of land were burned. Wildfires are natural, and even necessary for dense forests. Canada, the United States, and other countries with large overgrown forests frequently experience wildfires during the summer months. With that being said, the state of wildfires occurring across Canada has increased significantly over the past few years. Though the quantity of fires has been shrinking, the size has been increasing exponentially, each fire burning acres of land across Canada. This disastrous season of wildfires has brought a state of emergency, displacing tens of thousands of Canadians, destroying countless habitats, and even causing tension between the United States and Canada.

Why exactly has the size and effect of wildfires changed so drastically throughout the years? Firstly, a large fraction of fires are caused by humans. Fires started by lightning are less than those started by humans, about 54% in Canada and up to 85% in the United States. The most common human-caused fires are due to accidental mishaps, such as leaving a campfire unattended, discarded cigarettes, sparks from ATV’s and trains, equipment malfunctions, arson, power line failures, and fire works near heavily wooded areas. Another human cause of increased wildfires is timber production. Timber production throughout the decades has caused damage to Canadian forests. It has led to the removal of large, more fire tolerant trees. This gives an opportunity for pest outbreaks. Insects such as the mountain pine beetle kill living trees in the area, creating more dead vegetation to become fuel for wildfires. The second reason for wildfires is climate change. Global warming has lengthened the fire season, meaning fires last longer and start earlier. Climate change has more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fires. Wildfires can also spread more rapidly. Climate change has affected the natural temperature fluctuation cycle. Nights used to be cool enough to slow down wildfires. Now, wildfires burn as intensely overnight as during the day, allowing them to spread much faster, and grow larger in size.

During wildfire season, fire crews use terms like “under control”, “partially contained”, and “out of control” to refer to fires. These terms help fire fighters understand the size, growth, and effect of the wildfires. Even when fires have been fully contained, they are still carefully monitored to ensure there are no sparks, or extremely dry areas to reignite the fire. During peak fire season, it is in the government of Canada’s best interest to mobilize all resources possible. Volunteer fire fighters from Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Australia have provided assistance to Ontario and British Columbia. As the wildfire season gets worse, organizations are beginning to realize there needs to be a shift in land management practices in order to prevent unnecessary damage during a fire. The Canadian government has begun implementing Indigenous fire management practices, and hiring Indigenous fire specialists, among other natural disaster experts. Indigenous fire management includes burning batches of forests under manageable conditions. Creating small, controlled fires which can easily be extinguished prevents those batches of land from being caught on fire. When wildfires would occur, they would burn for a short amount of time, because the pre-burned area would not ignite.

Indigenous communities have a close connection with fire. Fire was used to increase culturally important plants and foods for animals, it was used for spiritual ceremonies, and even to maintain clear paths for travel. After colonialism, fire was seen as a danger to life, architectures, and the timer supply. Fire suppression tactics severed a cultural and spiritual connection the Indigenous communities had. Furthermore, thousands of Canadians and First Nations communities have been affected by the wildfires. Northwestern Ontario had extreme wildfire activity in July, and Indigenous communities suffer more commonly during environmental disasters. Displacement commonly creates mental health challenges for Indigenous communities due to Canada’s colonial history with the First Nations. During European colonialism, the Indigenous people of Canada were displaced, placed into reserves, and, therefore, leaving ancestorial homes under evacuation order revives painful memories of previous forced removals.

As mentioned previously, the Canadian government is beginning to implement Indigenous practices as a preventative measure against wildfires. They have also created and funded the Canadian Forest services, which conducts wildfire science and technological development, to help create fire resistant landscapes. Canada also has a strategic plan called the Blueprint for Wildland Fire Science in Canada, which funds research in wildfires and resilient ecosystems. This blueprint should ultimately reduce wildfires across Canada, create long lasting infrastructure, recognize ancient Indigenous knowledge and practices, and deliver wildfire management solutions.

Many organizations and charities have been created in order to help displaced Canadians. Canada Helps is an organization that compiles all charities into one website. This allows individuals to make donations to specific causes they feel could use additional support. This could be providing food and water to citizens affected, or donating to rebuild urban areas impacted by natural disasters. All charities in Canada Helps are registered, meaning they are trusted and reliable. As mentioned previously, the Indigenous communities of Canada tend to be affected on a greater level than other Canadian citizens. The First Nations Emergency Services Society of BC — also on the Canada Helps website — provides First Nations communities with wildfire emergency support, which includes emergency preparedness training.

Canada has always had wildfires. They are an integral part of nature. Over the years, wildfires have gotten increasingly worse, and there is one main reason for that: climate change. When fires would occur, either man-made or naturally, there would be many, but they would cover a smaller portion of the area, and would not grow large in size. Recently, though there are fewer fires, they have grown much larger in size, burning more area than ever. More and more Canadians and Indigenous communities have been displaced or affected by the wildfires. The government has no choice but to do a complete shift in land management practices, and must develop new solutions to wildfires before they burn all of Canada.

By: Guneet Bal, WACNH Intern

When the United States and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran on February 28, 2026, a shock wave reverberated around the globe, the effects of which have extended far beyond the Middle East region. Iran’s naval blockade and closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz, which carries more than one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, have sent global energy prices soaring, resulting in an energy crisis and triggering worldwide inflation. Within Iran, vital civilian and energy infrastructure has been destroyed, and more than 3.2 million Iranians have been forcibly displaced from Tehran and other urban centers as a result of U.S.-Israeli attacks. Widespread displacement has also extended to Lebanon, where confrontations between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have forced at least 1.1 million Lebanese—20% of the country’s population—from their homes across Southern Lebanon, Beirut’s suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley. While the conflict has impacted operations across various economic and development sectors, the global humanitarian sector—which delivers life-saving assistance to nearly 100 million people annually—has been especially vulnerable to hostilities. In the midst of global supply chain shocks and mass civilian displacement, international organizations have struggled to adapt to a constantly shifting humanitarian landscape in the Middle East and beyond. Not only has the conflict and its economic consequences exacerbated humanitarian need in the Middle East region, but it has erected substantial barriers to accessing and serving the nearly 239 million people in need of assistance globally.

            Hostilities in the Gulf region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have forced aid agencies to significantly shift established aid delivery routes, creating costly delays that have altered the scale and logistics of humanitarian response. Located in Dubai, the world’s largest humanitarian logistics hub, the International Humanitarian City (IHC), serves United Nations agencies, nonprofits, and international organizations, delivering 1,225 megatons of aid to over 3.6 million people annually. Air space closures, maritime shipping disruptions, and intense missile attacks by the Iranian regime have acutely constrained the IHC’s ability to continue operations at the same scale and efficiency as before the conflict began. In one instance, a missile interception caused a fire to break out at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai, the largest container terminal in the Middle East, which is located about 10 minutes from the IHC. The immediate proximity of Iranian attacks to humanitarian infrastructure has forced agencies to operate under emergency protocol and hinders their ability to effectively coordinate aid transportation and delivery. As a result, containers of life-saving food and medical aid have been indefinitely stalled in Dubai, as delivery to their intended recipients has become dangerously complicated by ongoing hostilities. Included in these halted shipments is more than $600,000 worth of essential pharmaceuticals bound for Sudan, which houses one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

            Aside from the immediacy of missile attacks, port congestion, higher insurance premiums, and the forced rerouting of aid shipments have fundamentally disrupted the tempo of aid provision across the Middle East and beyond. With land and sea routes made more expensive by rising fuel prices and inaccessible by ongoing conflict, aid organizations have pivoted to utilizing air freight to deliver aid. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that amidst disruptions to land and sea shipping, it has increasingly relied on air freight to transport aid to Lebanon and the Gaza Strip amid unprecedented delays of four to six weeks.

In the first quarter of 2026 alone, UNICEF exhausted almost all charter flights donated annually by logistics partners, signaling a prolonged funding crisis that will continue to endure even with a potential deal to end the conflict on the horizon. These logistical challenges, which compound prolonged financial stress, reveal a critical vulnerability: the humanitarian sector is deeply susceptible to the volatility and geopolitical tensions brought about by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, inhibiting its ability to adequately and efficiently serve populations in critical need.

            The massive supply chain disruptions and oil market shocks caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have compounded logistical challenges, leaving humanitarian organizations struggling to adapt to rising costs across all stages of aid provision. As a result of increasing oil prices, global shipping costs have risen more than 16% in 2026, resulting in anticipated supply delivery delays of up to six months, according to the United Nations. The increased reliance on air freights for the delivery of aid is compounding the impacts of spiking oil prices; air freight costs have risen by 40-62% since 2025. While rising costs have affected aid routes globally, they have been especially detrimental for Middle East-bound routes. Container costs have jumped more than 316% on Middle East routes, threatening the ability of humanitarian agencies to serve vulnerable populations in Syria, Yemen, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, and Iraq. Since the 2025 dismantlement of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aid initiatives have been operating with financial constraints, with global spending declining more than 30 percent. As the cost of aid provision has increased, these constraints have transformed into logistical crises that threaten the execution of aid operations.

            The war’s impact on humanitarian operations extends far beyond logistics—it has also directly restricted access to populations experiencing crisis. In Lebanon, conditions in the Bekaa Valley and the country’s southern suburbs remain highly unstable, and access routes are largely blocked by debris and unexploded ordnance from ongoing military confrontations. As a result, aid groups have been unable to reach those most in need—civilians who remain isolated in active conflict zones or in Israeli-occupied regions. Since the Israeli operation in Lebanon was revived in early March, at least 50 medical centers have been forced to close due to the conflict, exacerbating humanitarian need in areas with unreliable access to international support.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has also accelerated as a result of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran despite slight improvements following the October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. On February 28, the day military operations against Iran commenced, Israel quietly and indefinitely closed every crossing into the Gaza Strip, effectively preventing all access to Gaza’s 2.1 million residents. Immediately following these closures, aid organizations warned that Gaza’s food stocks would be depleted in just a week, prompting international backlash. Under immense pressure from aid groups and state actors, Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing under strict restrictions. However, other routes for food aid, medical evacuations, and other critical humanitarian operations remain closed, causing food costs to skyrocket by nearly 300% and sending certain parts of Gaza City teetering back toward famine. Existing humanitarian emergencies, like the one in the Gaza Strip, do not cease when new conflicts emerge in the headlines. Rather, they are compounded by the security decisions made by parties to a conflict, whether or not the region of crisis is a site of active military confrontation. The ongoing crises in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip highlight the extent to which aid organizations are constrained by field conditions and the political whims of strategic actors. In addition, the humanitarian stalemates observed as a result of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran expose the lack of agency multinational organizations, such as the United Nations, hold in ensuring the safe and efficient continuity of their own humanitarian operations.

Taken together, each of the barriers to humanitarian action that have been erected by the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, the subsequent economic shocks, and the closures of critical maritime shipping routes have the potential to exacerbate existing humanitarian emergencies and create new crises in regions across the globe. Given the limited ability of the humanitarian sector to adequately respond to rapidly changing conditions to emerging crises, the conflict is steadily shaping a new status quo for the state of humanitarianism globally; the unconditional provision of life-saving aid to suffering populations has increasingly become contingent on the strategic objectives of powerful state actors. As a result, aid organizations must reckon with shifting financial and logistical landscapes in order to ensure operational resilience for the millions of people dependent on aid.

By: Madison Viger - WACNH Intern

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/5/how-the-us-naval-blockade-has-bled-iran-of-nearly-6bn-in-oil-revenues

https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-3-2-million-iranians-temporarily-displaced-iran-conflict-intensifies

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/more-million-displaced-conflict-lebanon

https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2026-may-7/

https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2026-may-7/

https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2026-may-7/

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/iran-war-disruption-threatening-delivery-lifesaving-supplies-children-un-says-2026-06-02/

https://www.refugeesinternational.org/events-and-testimony/humanitarian-and-displacement-implications-of-the-u-s-israel-iran-war/

https://www.rescue.org/press-release/two-months-iran-war-irc-operational-costs-spike-50-fuel-prices-rise-and-aid-routes

https://www.rescue.org/press-release/two-months-iran-war-irc-operational-costs-spike-50-fuel-prices-rise-and-aid-routes

https://www.refugeesinternational.org/events-and-testimony/humanitarian-and-displacement-implications-of-the-u-s-israel-iran-war/

https://www.refugeesinternational.org/events-and-testimony/humanitarian-and-displacement-implications-of-the-u-s-israel-iran-war/

What did twelve delegates visiting New Hampshire for WACNH’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) think of the state of the nation over the Independence Day weekend and the 250th anniversary of our foundational document? The warm welcome, the candor, and the willingness of everyone they met to try to explain how values match the contradictions all served to inform and enlighten the visitors to a country celebrating 250 years of independence.

Two Freedom 250 groups of State Department guests visited New Hampshire over the July 4th/America 250 weekend. Arriving on July 1 and departing July 7, each group included 6 international leaders from as many countries and focused on two interest areas: “U.S. State and Local Government” and “The US Constitution’s Enduring Global Legacy.”

Out of the sixteen meetings, two hosted Independence Day BBQs, World Cup game watches, and even kayaking on the Contoocook, the event that one of the visitor liaisons said “brought tears to their eyes” was the Naturalization Ceremony on July 4 at Strawbery Banke Museum.

Hangama Roeen, a WACNH intern for the summer who grew up in Afghanistan, helped welcome the visitors and observed:

“As an intern at the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, I had the chance to meet people from many countries. It was one of the best parts of my internship.

When the delegates arrived at World Affairs Council of NH office many of them looked through the gifts to WACNH that are displayed around the room for something from their own country. Thabile from South Africa found a necklace from her country and pointed it out to me with a big smile. Another delegate from Guatemala, Fredman, found a small banner and exclaimed, "Look! This is my country's flag!" It was nice to see how happy these small, familiar things made them feel.

I also made new friends, including Felista from Tanzania. After taking a selfie together, we exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch. Fredman and I spoke French together. We talked about our countries, our food, our cultures, and our daily lives. I learned so many new things from the delegates.

One conversation that I will always remember was with a delegate from Ukraine. We talked about the wars in our countries with tears in our eyes and hoped that one day there would be peace.”

As Anise Jasman-Sayers, WACNH IVP Director said, “Seeing that America is truly a nation of immigrants – that there is an actual process to become a US citizen, with a formal oath-taking ceremony, and that hundreds of local residents were there to welcome those 101 new Americans with cheers and applause – that made a huge impression.”

As did Bosnia-Herzegovina’s delegate’s surprise that there were more Bosnians than Americans at the Bosnia-Herzegovina v US World Cup watch party at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.

We observed sessions with Margaret Byrnes, NH Municipal Association executive director, Cindy Stewart, Manchester School Board member-at-large and, at UNH, Michelle Holt-Shannon, NH Listens president and Stephen Bird, executive director of the Carsey School where animated discussions contrasted the municipal government, education and public engagement experiences in 12 different countries with those in the US.

On the occasion of the 250th, New Hampshire’s own history and dedication to democratic principles, fair elections and the rule of law showed these groups why the state has played such an important role in the success of the United States, while providing insights into how communities remain flexible and responsive to changing realities. Questions asked and deeper understandings of how experiences in the US compared and contrasted with their shared experience with challenges in their countries.

The judge from Bucharest, Romania asked about corruption and whether municipal officials could amass too much power. The think tank executive director asked Michelle Holt-Shannon how the NH Listens process succeeded in getting opposing camps “at the table and talking to each other.” The Municipality Project Manager from South Africa and the Deputy Mayor from Guyana agreed with the Manchester School Board representative that the balance of discipline and responsibility in education were quite similar to those in the US. The political science professor from Monterrey, Mexico looked for a model that showed “how democracy can be strengthened at the local level by the local people.” A discussion at the Carsey School for Public Policy about sustainable development goals considered the energy issue of fracking.

Hangama commented, “America's 250th anniversary was also very special for me. It was my first time celebrating Independence Day in the United States. I saw American flags everywhere. Families and friends were together, and many people wore red, white, and blue. At night, I watched the fireworks. The streets were full of happy people, and everyone was enjoying the celebration. I could see how proud people were of their country.”

All of the conversations, in formal meetings and informal chats, ranged across the varied landscape of life in New Hampshire on the Fourth of July, 2026. And at the end of the day, both groups sported new t-shirts as their best souvenirs from the 250th as they left to meet up with 180 other Freedom 250 delegates in Philadelphia.

For Hangama: “This experience taught me many things. I learned that international exchange is not only about meetings. It is also about making friends, sharing ideas, learning about different cultures, and understanding each other better. I will always remember these experiences.”

By: Stephanie Seacord, WACNH Events & Education Coordinator

Introduction:

Alberta’s separatist movement has been a prominent issue in Canadian politics since 1974, with the introduction of the Independent Alberta Association. Issues such as the price of Alberta oil, the increased alienation of the province, and no return on investment for Equalization Payments have made Albertans feel unwelcome in their own country. This has sparked a new wave of separatism, which has made substantial changes in the past months.

History of Alberta’s Separatist Movement:

As mentioned previously, the idea of separatism sparked in 1974, with the creation of the Independent Alberta Association. The province of Alberta is one of the few Prairie Provinces with substantial levels of oil, gas, and coal. It holds one of the largest oil and gas reserves in Canada, and is a prominent contribution to the Canadian economy. Many Albertans feel as though their contributions do not equate to their representation in Parliament. Canada’s parliamentary voting system is different from the United States’ presidential system. During federal elections, citizens vote for a Member of Parliament who represents their constituency. Whichever party has a higher number of elected MP’s becomes the government, and elects their leader as Prime Minister. Provinces such as Ontario and Quebec have a larger population, which means that there are more constituencies in those areas. In total, Ontario has 122 federal ridings, and Alberta has 37. Ontario, therefore, has more influence towards federal elections. This has caused a feeling of alienation among the citizens of Alberta, which is one of the many driving factors of their separation.

Secondly, the oil which Alberta exports is heavy crude oil. This oil is distributed to other provinces in Canada as well as the United States. Heavy crude oil is more difficult to refine, requiring specialized refineries and more processing to turn into a consumer good. Because of this, it is shipped off to other areas of Canada to be refined and then sold. Factors such as the transportation and the amount of processing needed for the oil have reduced the price of Alberta’s oil. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is considered the world price of oil on average. The Western Canada Select (WCS) is the heavy crude oil exported from Alberta. The WCS tends to be about $12-$16 USD cheaper than the WTI. This price difference has been one of the most prominent grievances throughout the separatism movement.

Additionally, the province faces many grievances against Canada’s Equalization Payments. Equalization payments fund social programs and services that are offered to provinces with lower economic stability. Alberta is one of the highest profiting provinces, and because of this, they are unable to claim equalization payments for their programs. It is considered that Alberta can pay for their own public programs and services, but this has become an issue among Albertans. The Equalization payments are funded by the government, which comes from everybody’s taxes. Because Albertans pay taxes, but do not receive the benefits of the programs their taxes are funding, many Albertans see their tax money going towards other provinces besides their own.

Furthermore, to increase exports all across Canada, Alberta has continuously requested to build a pipeline to British Columbia. BC is the westmost province in Canada, and holds the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The pipeline towards BC is particularly difficult for multiple reasons. The first reason is that many of

Canada’s indigenous tribes reside in the Alberta-British Columbia land. Many indigenous groups have formed strong connections with Canada and the United Kingdom, and do not consent to having their land disrupted. The second reason is that the pipeline poses severe environmental threats which Canada is not willing to risk. Recently, the Prime Minister of Canada, the premier of Alberta, as well as the premier of British Columbia have been discussing the prospect and hypotheticals of building a pipeline. This new development has been an attempt to appease Alberta, and make Albertans feel that their voices are valued and heard. The pipeline will bring additional costs to Alberta because of the increase in production, which will be paid for by increasing the price of the WCS. Economists predict that this rise in oil cost will make it uncompetitive compared to other heavy crude oil companies. The new agreement between Ottawa and Alberta also includes a requirement to increase Alberta’s industrial carbon tax, which further drives up oil prices.

Alberta’s Referendum:

The leader of Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith, announced a referendum for October 19th, with 10 questions regarding separation. The first nine questions were regarding issues such as immigration, voting, and constitutional amending issues. The tenth question is: should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta hold a legally binding referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada. If the majority of votes conclude to separate Alberta into its own sovereign nation, the government of Alberta will hold what is called a binding referendum, which begins the legal process of separation. Many people, including Premier Doug Ford of Ontario and Premier David Eby of British Columbia have accused Premier Smith of supporting the separatism movement. Though she frequently speaks of a united Canada, she lowered the required number of signatures on a petition to trigger a referendum. The previous requirement was 301,000 signatures to trigger a referendum. It was lowered to 178,000. That is roughly 10% of registered voters in Alberta. Smith claims she wants to support all Albertans, and that includes hearing the voices and complaints of all citizens.

If Alberta Separates:

Many think Alberta’s profits will increase after separation from Canada, but this is not entirely the case. If it decides to become its own sovereign nation, it becomes landlocked between Canada and the United States. Alberta would need to make negotiations with both countries. Alberta would lose the protection offered by Canada, and would need to rejoin all existing organizations such as the United Nations, CUSMA, and NATO. Furthermore, they would have much more difficulty convincing Canada to build a pipeline towards British Colombia. Historically, all talks about building the pipeline were to incentivize Alberta to stay in Canada. Furthermore, Alberta would be able to sell its heavy crude oil to Canada at world price; however, the cost of refining it would increase heavily, because Alberta exports much of its oil to be refined and processed, and because the demand for heavy crude oil is lower than light crude oil. If Alberta was no longer part of Canada, the latter would have no obligation in helping Alberta with its specialized refineries. It is highly likely that Alberta will increase exporting to the States. Many sources cite meetings between US officials and separatist leaders discussing building another pipeline from Alberta to the US, increasing oil exports and becoming a stronger partnership. By April 2026, US State Department officials had already met up with the leaders of the Separatism movements three times. US Treasury Board officials have been in support of an independent Alberta, and have even discussed a 500

Billion USD line of credit to support a smoother transition to independence. Many talks between US officials and separatist leaders were informal, but there were talks of the US supporting Alberta in developing an Alberta military. If separatism occurs, it is likely that Alberta would join the United States to become another territory.

Conclusion:

Alberta’s feeling of alienation is not a new issue. Alberta is a major contributor to Canada’s economy, and has been an employment hub for many Canadians because of their oil sector. Many citizens of Alberta believe that their efforts and contributions do not equate to their representation and voice in elections and other government issues. Another prominent issue that sparked Alberta separatism was the reduced price other provinces received of Alberta’s crude oil. Alberta has requested it be the same price as world oil, with little success. Another driving factor is the pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia that was not allowed to be built for many reasons, despite it increasing profits dramatically. Lastly, because Alberta is a higher profiting province than others, many Albertans feel that their taxes go towards programs and services that do not even benefit them. All these issues combined have created grievances against the Canadian government. The Independent Alberta Association has gained more traction since getting enough signatures on a separation petition. The Alberta referendum that will be held in October will have big implications on the future, and Alberta’s relationship with the United States.

- Guneet Bal, WACNH Intern

Encouraging responsible global citizenship is key to progressing international diplomacy. As inhabitants of the earth, we owe it to ourselves and communities to cultivate a prosperous environment that is respected by all. Healthy participation in civic debate progresses the idea of civic discourse. In an era marked by polarization and conflict, “The 10 Virtues of the Modern World” offer a practical and effective guide for promoting understanding, respect, and meaningful communication across differences.

The ten virtues encompass themes of resilience, empathy, patience, sacrifice, politeness, humor, self-awareness, forgiveness, hope, and confidence. Skillful diplomats truly embody these morals to facilitate meaningful and successful interactions with their fellow peers. Those who embrace and practice these virtues are well-positioned to achieve greater levels of self-actualization and personal fulfillment. Abraham Maslow, a renowned American psychologist, coined the term self-actualization, describing it as the psychological process of one fulfilling their highest potential.

A responsible global citizen must develop a clear understanding of their passions, values, and life goals. This process aligns closely with the principles outlined in the hierarchy of needs developed by Abraham Maslow, which emphasizes the pursuit of personal growth and self-actualization. According to Maslow, reaching the pinnacle of his hierarchy requires the fulfillment of fundamental needs first. One must start at the grassroots level by satisfying the basic survival needs of food, water, and rest, as well as security and safety. Upon meeting these lower-level needs, individuals are able to pursue belonging through friendships and relationships, while also striving to satisfy esteem needs associated with competence, achievement, and recognition. It is not until all these lower level necessities are satisfied that one can focus on the highest point of the pyramid - the self-actualization level.

The qualities that characterize an accomplished diplomat are often rooted in a high degree of self-actualization and a well-developed sense of personal purpose. The path toward this goal is supported by the 10 Virtues of the Modern World, especially through the development of humor, empathy, and hope as guiding principles. Humor connects people, as it offers a unique sense of unity, a way of having a shared experience to smile over. Understanding the intentions of others through empathy has a similar power. An empathetic individual uses emotional intelligence to recognize the diverse perspectives of others. Channeling ideals of empathy and humility allows one to truly adopt a hopeful outlook on the world. Practicing gratitude and believing in the goodness of life fuels the psychological weapon of hope. By doing so, one develops their achievement potential, as they create a “can-do attitude” by focusing on the good to come out of their dedication and resilience.

Fostering the virtues of humility, empathy, and hope is the guiding force behind learning to be a proficient diplomat, especially in today’s high-stress environment, where appreciating the complexities of conflict is a valuable asset. During times of divided debate, humor can be used to de-escalate emotions and redirect the conversation to a more collaborative space where empathy is used to foster a welcoming environment. A hopeful international community can be curated through educating the youth on these particular morals. Furthermore, individuals who have learned how to perform at their highest self-actualization level will do so by incorporating the highlighted three virtues.

The successful resolution of global challenges depends, in part, on a commitment in younger generations to cultivate the principles and perspectives previously discussed. It must be emphasized that anyone can be a diplomat, and in order to develop the confidence of young people, they need to be given the opportunity to do so. Dedicated educators can reference the resources The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire provides and use them as tools to guide future generations on the path to harnessing the true powers of responsible global citizens.

By Ava Popielarz, Bow High School Rising Junior.

Students at Kingswood Regional High School students participate in a WACNH lead Diplomacy Simulation on the Darfur Crisis.

The most recent (2023) survey of young Americans’ attitudes about world affairs is undoubtedly dated in these turbulent times. But the starting point is valid when it comes to what we might expect from high school participants in our Diplomacy Simulations.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs study (Young Americans Question US Global Engagement | Chicago Council on Global Affairs) found

• While a majority of Gen Z (age 14-29 in 2026) express interest in news about US relations with other countries, they are much less likely (69%) than older generations (88-90%) -- to do so.
• Gen Z are nearly evenly divided (50%-47%) on whether it is best for the United States to take an active part in world affairs or stay out, while older generations support getting involved (64%-35%).

However, the third survey takeaway was: “Leading international cooperation on global problems is the top foreign policy priority for the youngest generation of American adults.” Older generations said their top priority was military protection of the physical security of the country.

In Diplomacy Simulations WACNH conducted in June with a class of 9^th graders at Pembroke Academy and with three freshman global affairs classes at Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro – a total of about 70 students – interest, enthusiasm and connection beyond the materials we provided were all rampant.

Admittedly, it took some time to get traction. The three teachers had provided introductions to the material – the Water Crisis simulation for Pembroke and the Darfur Crisis for Kingswood – and the students were supposed to have their preliminary statements ready for the first round. But, as the Chicago survey might suggest, they were slow to engage in their respective positions (one of four ‘sides’ in each case) on the first day.

But by the end of that first day, after two rounds of both team goal-setting and group negotiations, they were beginning to identify with their roles and responsibilities and thinking critically as their nations, NGOs and State Department delegations rather than as observers to the process. By the second day, after the animated conversations that had followed them out of the classroom at the end of Day 1, and even some pre-session homeroom consultations with members of their teams, they were ready to argue passionately for whichever side they had been assigned.

“So ready!” was the answer that came from one young man at the start of session two at Kingswood.

And that dynamic is what Diplomacy Simulation is all about.

Asking the teachers what they thought of the experience, all three focused on the process. How it drew out one young woman who thought she was too shy to speak “in front of people” to become the spokesperson for her team. How another young man who spoke so quietly at the start it was hard to hear his position turned into a forceful proponent for what the US State Department could bring to the water rights impasse.

Pegi Frostholm, the teacher at Pembroke, told Tim and me she was delighted with the participation and the opportunity it gave her social studies students to speak their minds rather than just repeating what they thought she wanted to hear from the lesson plan. Doug Skelley and Kim Kelliher, both teachers at Kingswood, agreed that while their kids were always looking for confirmation and reassurance, the Diplomacy Simulations brought out their competitive streaks. “They want to win,” said Skelley as he watched a team of young women representing the Sudanese Government animatedly argue their case to the African Union team.

As they filtered into the room the first day, the students were individual teenagers looking like they weren’t sure what to expect. When they returned from lunch, already gathered into their team sub-groups, they came in discussing their positions and what their next arguments should be.

It’s that secret sauce on which WACNH Diplomacy Simulations thrive, that brings us back to the same schools to repeat the process with new classes of kids. All three teachers are already planning Simulations in the next school year, possibly even one in the fall and another in the spring. “I would love to teach everything this way,” said Skelley, “But I just don’t have the bandwidth to create the same sort of in-depth materials you give us.”

It’s why WACNH secures that ‘unobtanium’ of access and classroom time in a high school social studies teacher’s curriculum. And why the most rewarding – priceless -- part is watching students embrace and internalize the role-play.

At Kingswood that people-to-people connection came solidly home when one young man came over to thank us at the end. He had me at his handshake.

- By Stephanie Seacord, WACNH Events & Education Coordinator

World affairs can often feel distant, but through WACNH’s speaker series they become part of a shared human experience. As an intern for the past several months, I’ve had numerous opportunities to engage with global topics by participating in these conversations. However, I had always gone to these conversations online. Although, viewing these events online certainly increases accessibility, I always felt as if I was missing a piece of the puzzle. Ultimately, being there in-person adds a unique community atmosphere and sense of excitement that bridges individual differences and makes distant issues feel more relevant.

In March, I attended my first speaker event in person. Arriving a few minutes late, I stepped into a room buzzing with curiosity and intent. Over the next hour and a half, Dr. Stephen M. Walt, a leading voice in international affairs, walked the audience through what world leaders forget about global politics. From the importance of historical context to the need to engage diverse perspectives, this conversation deepened my own insights on the multitude of issues shaping the world today. As I took a seat in one of the few remaining chairs, I soon found myself swept up in the audience’s energy. In that moment, I felt myself becoming part of a broader global community.

More importantly, participating in this conversation reaffirmed that civil dialogue has the ability to shape the world. Upon entering the room I quickly realized that I was one of the youngest people amid a crowd of unfamiliar faces. Yet, that unfamiliarity quickly gave way to a shared curiosity that bridged differences in age and perspectives. What could have served as a barrier to global conversations soon became a catalyst to understanding the complexities of world affairs. In particular, being in-person gave me the opportunity to build real, human connections. By fostering this environment of mutual understanding, global issues became less individual and more communal. Overall, civil dialogue reminds us that the solutions to global issues don’t lie in individual knowledge, but in community discussions.

As the event wrapped up, the whole puzzle finally snapped together. I walked away with a renewed perspective on how world leaders should approach decision-making. More importantly, however, I knew that I was now part of a community that looked for global solutions amongst both our similarities and our differences. What began as a rushed entrance into a room of strangers ultimately became a powerful reminder that genuine engagement - driven by shared energy and open dialogue - can reshape both how we understand global issues and how we take part in addressing them. Overall, WACNH provides the rare opportunity to truly make your voice heard in a world where global decision-making can seem so far removed. So step into the conversation, join an event, and experience for yourself the impact that you can have on world affairs.

By: Luke Wolfe, WACNH Intern

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Today’s most consequential battles are no longer confined to traditional warfare settings. Instead, actors increasingly rely on hybrid warfare tactics, including cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, covert actions, and economic pressure to achieve strategic objectives. By employing these unconventional tactics, actors deliberately exploit the grey zone - an area that exceeds normal peacetime relations but remains below the legal threshold for the use of force. Since the end of World War II, the grey zone has grown alongside the rapid expansion of international law and technological advances, altering traditional methods of interaction between states. Although the grey zone challenges the scope and perceived relevance of international law, it also underscores a strength of the system: its capacity to adapt to a dynamic and evolving global order.

In recent decades, international legal institutions have sought to add clarity to international law. After World War II, the UN Charter codified when force could and could not be used. Article 2(4) is the central provision prohibiting UN member states from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. However, Chapter VII recognizes the need for force in certain situations and develops the legal basis for the UN Security Council to authorize action. Article 51 then permits the use of force that is both necessary and proportionate in order to uphold the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense. Overall, these provisions seek to safeguard international peace and security by narrowly defining exceptions to the general prohibition on the use of force.

While international law draws a firm boundary around the use of force, it remains relatively silent on actions that do not meet this threshold. Because international law draws a sharp distinction between armed force and non-forceful conduct, it leaves room for actors to engage in coercive behavior that exceeds normal peacetime competition without crossing the line into legally recognized armed conflict. It is within this space of legal ambiguity that hybrid warfare tactics have flourished. In this way, the international legal system reflects a complicated paradox that simultaneously promotes security while creating the capacity for actors to operate along its margins.

Ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan exemplify how such hybrid warfare tactics can undermine an adversary. In 2023, the Matsu Islands lost internet connectivity for several weeks after an underwater telecommunications cable was severed, an incident that the Taiwanese government blamed on China. In 2025, Taiwan again accused China of disrupting the submarine Trans-Pacific Express Cable System. Such actions disrupted civilian life and economic activity while creating strategic ambiguity. More importantly, these attacks indicate that China felt compelled to act within the grey zone. In other words, China implicitly acknowledged the relevance of the international legal system by conforming to the bounds of international law. Furthermore, China employed disinformation campaigns including AI-generated stories and deepfakes (media that is altered to make someone appear to say something they never actually did) to successfully influence the outcome of Taiwan’s 2024 elections. This striking ability to shape Taiwanese political processes and public life without using any force has exacerbated existing tensions and transformed China-Taiwan relations into a condition of coercion, aggression, and deception that targets Taiwan’s strategic autonomy without triggering formal conflict. Most importantly, by operating in the grey zone, China acknowledges the legal boundaries to which it must adhere, thus reflecting the continued relevance of international law.

Furthermore, the Russia-Ukraine conflict demonstrates how hybrid warfare techniques can operate alongside conventional military operations in an active war setting. Following the 2022 invasion, Russia increasingly integrated grey zone tactics such as disinformation campaigns, information suppression, and attempts to control digital infrastructure into its conventional military operations. Efforts to sever internet and mobile connectivity, combined with persistent narratives framing the invasion as “denazification” or genocide prevention, sought to weaken Ukrainian morale, confuse Western audiences, and influence global opinion. This blending of conventional force with grey zone activities illustrates how hybrid warfare can amplify military objectives while complicating legal accountability. By operating along the peripheries of international legal structures and normalizing low-intensity coercion as a tool of global competition, Russia illustrates how hybrid warfare is reshaping both international law and global power dynamics.

While many claim that the ambiguity found in grey-zone conflict is a weakness of the international legal system, it is actually a necessary feature of its continued relevance. International law was never designed to freeze conflict within a particular historical frame. Instead, it provides a foundation capable of adapting to new technologies, tactics, and strategic realities. As cyber capabilities, information warfare, and economic interdependence continue to reshape international relations, legal ambiguity allows competing interests to coexist, functioning as a mechanism that places checks on the unilateral exercise of power. In this way, the grey zone reflects an adaptive legal order that constrains unchecked power while enabling actors to respond to a dynamic global landscape.

Ultimately, the existence of grey zone conflicts indicates that states acknowledge legal thresholds and legitimacy. Moreover, by operating within the grey zone, laws governing the use of force achieve precisely what they were designed to do: limit the violent resolution of conflicts. While the grey zone offers the space for actors to advance strategic objectives, its adaptive capacity also enables the international community to respond to novel threats and unchecked exercises of power. The very existence of grey-zone tactics therefore underscores legal legitimacy in international relations. Rather than signaling the failure of international law, grey-zone conflict demonstrates how deeply embedded it remains in the decision-making process and power dynamics.

By Luke Wolfe, WACNH Intern

Most have heard phrases similar to, “our children are the future”, and while this is true, it doesn’t explain reality in full. These kids are essential to the civic world of the present, so, how do their beliefs and actions shape the way the world views diplomacy? How does classroom participation drive students toward diplomacy? Lastly, how will the young generations of the present shape the world in which we live?

            As a high school junior myself, I have been able to witness many conversations pertaining to this topic, and gain a lot of insights on my generation’s perspective of the world. I’ve watched many people change their minds based on discussions they’ve had. It’s not that they’re changing every belief they’ve already established, but they hear something that they really resonate with. If you haven’t personally experienced this shift, you likely haven’t been involved with civil discussion in its true essence.

            So, the classroom is a domain for civic engagement, but how do these seemingly mere class discussions expand their horizons to the society in which we live? The students that participate in these discussions are also the students who go home and see what's on the news, the students that read the headlines, the students who repost current events on their socials, and the students, who like the majority of people, ultimately want what’s best for the world. This age is absolutely vital in how current students will turn into our world leaders. This generation is taking the initiative to become educated, put themselves out there, and truly proliferate their messages.

            So, how do students demonstrate this passion for diplomacy in the classroom? I have been lucky enough to participate in several World Affairs Council of New Hampshire diplomacy simulations, in which students study numerous perspectives of different unions, countries, and organizations focused on a critical global issue. These simulations allowed students to step out of their comfort zone and experience diplomacy. The reason all students get excited over these sorts of discussions stems from the fact that they are equal with their peers. This peaceful environment allows for students to be more comfortable than a more competitive domain. While many students tend to disengage during their history classes, diplomacy simulations allow students to step out of their comfort zone and learn through experience.

            So, how can we all learn from the students of today? There is substantial generational change happening in the world, that of which may feel foreign and uncomfortable to older generations. But, this change is necessary for our world to grow and develop; nobody has gone anywhere from staying exactly the same. This idea can be summarized by what Nick Watson, my world history teacher, said about this topic. He stated, “Through passing the torch, we learn what worked and what cycles we have to break.” Overall, the future is reliant on how we encourage and nourish the passion and education of our youth, as well as flexibility and acceptance of new ideas.

- Charlotte Lewis, Bow High School Student