Rapid Response Analyst

Alishba Syed

Alishba Syed is a Policy Analyst at the Institute for Youth in Policy and a student from New Jersey with interests in political philosophy, comparative literature, as well as creative writing and international affairs. Her work explores the intersection of both culture and public policy.

Alishba Syed is a Policy Analyst at the Institute for Youth in Policy and a high school student based in New Jersey. Beyond policy research, she serves as president of her school's National Art Honor Society and founded The Athene Archives, an interdisciplinary arts and literature platform dedicated to thoughtful creative expression. Her writing has been recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and she has conducted interviews and editorial work exploring philosophy and culture. Through both research and creative projects, she enjoys examining how history and language shape contemporary political and social issues.

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All articles by the author

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Policy Briefs by the author

The UK Prime Minister’s Resignation: Leadership Change in Westminster

Rapid Response

July 7, 2026

This brief examines the governance implications of Keri Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister, focusing less on the sequence of events than on their structural significance. It analyzes how Labour’s internal succession process, rather than a general election, will determine the next PM, and what this means for democratic accountability. The brief also assesses the practical risks an extended caretaker period poses to policy continuity in security, economics, and foreign affairs, alongside the deeper political forces, chiefly Reform UK’s rise, driving the UK’s broader pattern of leadership instability. It concludes by considering what the succession outcome signals for Labour’s direction ahead of the next general election.

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The U.S.-Iran Conflict and the Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Rapid Response

July 1, 2026

In February 2026, U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran triggered a conflict in which Iran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz (a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil exports) using naval threats, drone swarms, and sea mines. This brief examines the standoff between U.S. demands for open, toll-free navigation under maritime law and Iran's claim to control the Strait and levy transit fees. It traces the conflict's roots to the 1979 Revolution, defines the core policy problem, and evaluates options ranging from military confrontation to diplomacy and a return to the status quo.

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