Francis J. Gavin

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Articles

Remembrance of Things Past

Dec 11, 2024 | tnsr.org | Francis J. Gavin

In December 1964 — 60 years ago — the holiday classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was aired in the United States for the first time.1 The following year, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was televised.2 One year later, in December 1966, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” premiered.3 All three were tremendous successes, and for many American families, watching them has become an annual ritual, marking the season of joy and holiday celebration.
War, Peace, and Politics: Reflections on Writing

Jul 8, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Francis J. Gavin

Editor’s Note: This is the introduction to Volume 7, Issue 3 of the Texas National Security Review. When I was a young scholar, I was torn between two models of academic writing. I was trained as a historian, but my mentors, research subject, and professional background had exposed me to international relations theory and security studies. These groups displayed different characteristics in their academic scribblings.
Joseph Nye on Scholarship and Practice in International Relations

Jun 28, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Joseph Nye |Francis J. Gavin

Frank Gavin, chair of TNSR’s editorial board, talks with Joseph Nye about his new memoir, “A Life in the American Century.” This fascinating conversation covers a range of issues, including lessons from Nye’s extensive experience as an influential analyst, policymaker, and scholar. Image: jnn1776
Why wars keep happening

Jun 17, 2024 | engelsbergideas.com | Francis J. Gavin

It is easy to forget how pervasive the language of the market is in our lives. The notion that individuals or collective entities and their behaviour are best understood through their efforts to maximise their utility and measurable, tradeable interests, and that we should view interactions between individuals through the transactional lens of bargaining, is – historically speaking – relatively recent.
What Exactly Are We Doing?

May 20, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Francis J. Gavin

In his introduction to Volume 7, Issue 2, the chair of our editorial board, Frank Gavin, considers why the United States seems stuck in the Middle East and suggests that Washington refocus on core grand-strategic interests. More broadly, he calls on Americans to find ways to passionately and respectfully discuss difficult issues. I have two dear friends — let’s call them Ike and Bob — who have very different driving styles.
Why the Humanities Still Matter in Higher Education

May 15, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Francis J. Gavin |Marshall Kosloff

Marshall Kosloff talks with Editorial Board Chair Frank Gavin about his essay in TNSR, “Cracks in the Ivory Tower?” They discuss why universities need to consider the purpose of higher education and the ongoing importance of the humanities, including when studying international security issues. Image: Yinan Chen
What Exactly Are We Doing?

May 14, 2024 | tnsr.org | Francis J. Gavin

I have two dear friends — let’s call them Ike and Bob — who have very different driving styles. Ike drives quite slowly and cautiously, keeping his speed well below the limit while braking as soon as a yellow light appears in the distance. Bob, on the other hand, drives fast and aggressively, like his hair is on fire. In and of itself, this is not unusual. Ike and Bob, however, think that how people drive reflects larger issues with the state of humanity and our disordered world.
Our era of plenty has caused myriad problems such as global warming, disinformation and falling birth rates

Mar 21, 2024 | afr.com | Francis J. Gavin

PolicyEconomyGlobal economyTechnological advances over the past half century have immeasurably improved the lives of much of humanity. However, this progress belies the seeds of a possibly dark future. Francis GavinMar 22, 2024 – 8.23am or Subscribe to save articleEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?
The World’s Biggest Crisis Is the End of Scarcity

Mar 17, 2024 | foreignpolicy.com | Francis J. Gavin

Imagine an alien observer, sent undercover to Earth every half-century, to account for the status of human life on the planet. What would she convey to her extraterrestrial colleagues about 2024? Imagine an alien observer, sent undercover to Earth every half-century, to account for the status of human life on the planet. What would she convey to her extraterrestrial colleagues about 2024?
Why Scholarship Still Matters

Feb 2, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Francis J. Gavin |Gene Park |Michael Robinson |Heidi Urben

In his introduction to Vol. 7, Issue 1, of TNSR, the chair of our editorial board, Frank Gavin, reflects on the joys of being a professor and the importance of higher education. He also expresses concern about the health of American universities and calls on them to defend values such as asking big questions and encouraging debate. I love being a professor.