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By Global Policy Horizons Staff

At the International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention in Chicago on March 2-5, Dr. Dani Belo, Director of the Global Policy Horizons Lab, and researchers Samantha Ramay, Josh Hayes and Devin Courville presented their latest paper, 鈥淒ecision Versus Indecision: The Impact of Populist and Non-Populist Leadership on Intervention in Ethnic Conflicts.鈥�

Their research examines how different types of democratic leadership shape foreign intervention strategies, particularly in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict from 2018 to 2024.

"One of the biggest challenges democracies face in ethnic conflicts is balancing intervention with their commitment to equality," Belo said. "Our research shows that populist and non-populist leaders navigate this challenge differently and that decisiveness is often linked to their sensitivity to domestic polarization."

The study compares the Biden and Trump administrations' responses to the conflict, revealing that populist leaders - who often thrive on polarization - are more likely to take a decisive stance, while non-populist leaders seek broader consensus, sometimes resulting in less clear-cut interventions. The findings have direct implications for policymakers looking to anticipate how democratic governments will engage in future conflicts.

Engaging with International Scholarship

Beyond their presentation, the GPH Lab team attended more than 10 panels covering a wide range of international security topics, including decision-making in security policy, global political economy, ethnic conflicts, NATO and defense alliances and innovative approaches to teaching international affairs.

"The opportunity to engage with scholars tackling some of the biggest security challenges today is invaluable," Hayes said. "It鈥檚 one thing to study these issues in isolation, but it鈥檚 another to hear how different perspectives intersect at a global level."

One particularly thought-provoking panel featured Dr. Lindsey Kingston and Meghan Meehan from Webster, who presented their research, 鈥淪haping and Remembering the Journey: Italian Migration to the United States.鈥� The discussion explored historical migration patterns and their lasting influence on identity and policy, drawing parallels to contemporary migration debates.

For Samantha Ramay, the ISA experience reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. "Seeing how different methodologies - from historical analysis to policy modeling - contribute to our understanding of international affairs is inspiring," she said. "It challenges us to refine our own approaches and think critically about the impact of our work."

Bringing Insights Back to the GPH Lab

The conference not only served as a platform for sharing research but also strengthened the lab鈥檚 engagement with the broader international security community. Devin Courville emphasized the value of these exchanges. "Attending ISA isn鈥檛 just about presenting our work; it鈥檚 about refining it through dialogue. The feedback we received will push our research forward in exciting ways."

As the Global Policy Horizons Lab continues its research on global security issues, the insights gained at ISA 2025 will inform future projects, ensuring the work remains at the forefront of international policy debates.

"We鈥檙e committed to producing research that doesn鈥檛 just sit on a shelf but actively informs policy and decision-making," Belo concluded. "Conferences like ISA are crucial in making that happen."

With new research ideas, connections and perspectives in hand, the GPH Lab team returns to 黑料网 ready to take on the next frontier of international security challenges.

For more information about ongoing projects at the Global Policy Horizons Lab, please visit the lab鈥檚 website or email Lab Director Dr. Dani Belo at danibelo@webster.edu.