Publications

Print – Recent

Multiple articles and a video in Street Spirit Newspaper, 2020-2021

Multiple articles on Richmond Confidential, Sep-Dec 2020

What Some African Countries can Teach Trump about Democracy
Jan 4, 2021, Medium – Half a year after successfully holding their own elections, Burundians weigh in on Trump’s refusal to concede the U.S. presidential election (opinion).

The Scramble for Sapphires in Madagascar’s Protected Rainforest
Nov 2019, Medium – Thousands of artisanal miners hunt for sapphires in the middle of a protected rainforest, with disastrous results.

Burning Down the House: Police Forcibly Evict Urban Poor in Madagascar’s Capital
Nov 2019, Medium – Urban police in Madagascar evict residents of a homeless encampment. Despite tragic outcomes, little sympathy from city residents.

Video – Recent

Swimming from Alcatraz
May 2021 – Why open water swimming is growing more popular–and what motivates people to immerse themselves in cold water?

Where has all the Music Gone?
Dec 2020 – With live music banned due to covid-19, musicians in San Francisco’s East Bay have been forced to innovate – in ways that will continue to benefit them after covid.

Gorillas in their Midst
Dec 2020 – Visiting the mountain gorillas in SW Uganda during COVID-19 poses a risk to the gorillas. But shutting off tourism altogether is not an option.

Artisan: Jobs in Madagascar’s Informal Sector
2017-2019 – Four-part series exploring little-known trades in Madagascar’s informal sector

Audio

An Afghan-American’s Family is Stuck in Kabul
Sep 2021 – Chronicling a former translator’s efforts to get his American family safely home from Kabul after the Taliban’s takeover

Older Work

Why a “Population-Centric” Approach Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Feb 1, 2010, Centre for International Governance Innovation blog (opinion) – Encourages a “perception-centric” approach in the Afghan war.

Exploiting Insurgent Violence in Afghanistan
Aug 2009, Military Review – Argues for more effective responses to insurgent violence. Violent attacks are designed to achieve psychological, attitudinal or behavioral effects – something we often overlook, instead choosing to focus on the kinetic effects of violence. Often, our response achieves exactly what the insurgent intended.

Strategy Change Needed in Afghanistan
Feb 2, 2009 Army Times (opinion) – Argues why a troop surge in Afghanistan will be ineffective.