Author

Steven Polyakov

Hailing from Massachusetts, Steven is in his final year pursuing an honours degree in Political Science. His interests include post-Soviet transitions and Middle Eastern politics, specifically as related to sectarian conflicts fueled by proxy wars. Steven is also very passionate about tracking U.S. congressional races. He looks forward to a great publishing year at MIR and to create an environment where all writers can grow and channel their interests and opinions!

A Moderate Strategy: Key to Winning 2018

Steven Polyakov Mar 19, 2018

With the 2018 midterm elections just around the corner, the Democratic Party is not too far from re-claiming a majority in both chambers of Congress. Many have pointed to the controversy of the current Trump administration and disarray…
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Afghanistan: The Rise of Yet Another ISIS Front

Steven Polyakov Feb 10, 2018

With the withdrawal of most coalition troops after 16 years of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan has emerged as another important front for the Islamic State, operating under the branch known as Islamic State – Khorasan Province…
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An Iranian Arab Spring?

Steven Polyakov Jan 10, 2018

Recent anti-government protests this month have engulfed over 80 cities in Iran, as thousands of predominantly youth and working-class citizens have taken to the streets in opposition to rising unemployment, stagnant economic growth, and…
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A Saudi Game of Thrones: Riyadh’s Royal Purge

Steven Polyakov Nov 26, 2017

Riyadh’s recent purge of high-ranking officials has marked a significant turn of events within Saudi Arabia’s politics, an event with significant domestic implications as questions of the Kingdom’s economic, political, and social future…
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The Double Edged Sword of Chinese Counterterrorism Efforts

Steven Polyakov Oct 23, 2017

Just last month, Chinese officials ordered Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to hand over copies of the Quran and other religious materials as part of a crackdown on "extremists." Authorities have also tightened security…
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“Cosmopolitan”: A Dog Whistle of the Trump-Right

Steven Polyakov Sep 4, 2017

The Trump Administration recently endorsed a plan to cut legal immigration by half and prioritize well-educated immigrants with English proficiency. With the help of senior advisers, Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon, Trump worked closely…
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A Falling House of Cards: How Trump Could Cost the GOP Congress in 2018

Steven Polyakov Aug 8, 2017

Just recently, GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) collapsed in the U.S. Senate chamber, a major failure for Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. All of this occurred in the midst of a White House shakeup, with Trump…
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How a Social Media Star Serves as Putin’s Secret Weapon

Steven Polyakov Jul 6, 2017

Since the age of 30, Ramzan Kadyrov has led the Chechen Republic with carte blanche from Moscow. Excessive, arrogant, and a social media star boasting 2.7 million Instagram followers, he sits on a throne of luxury, carefully installed and…
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Et Après? France Has Spoken, What’s Next?

Steven Polyakov May 12, 2017

The centre has prevailed in France, having just elected moderate and pro-EU centrist, Emmanuel Macron, as president on May 7, 2017. In the second round of France’s presidential elections, Macron widely beat leader of the National Front…
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