Policy Analyst

Rusmiya Aqid

Rusmiya is a freshman at the University of Rochester. She is interested in international development and policy, and draws inspiration from social entrepreneurs like Runa Khan.

While she intends to look at countries analytically, she hopes to strike a balance between criticism and celebration. She also wants to use technology (machines, AI, software and analytics) to help find solutions to global issues.

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All articles by the author

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Policy Briefs by the author

Brexit: Four Years On — The World Still Feels the Fallout.

Foreign Policy

August 31, 2024

Four years after the United Kingdom’s historic break from the European Union, the effects of Brexit have rippled far beyond borders, reshaping political landscapes and economic realities in ways both foreseen and unforeseen. Whilst the numbers tell one story, the real tale lies in the flame of populism that Brexit has kindled—a fire now steering democracies across the globe. This brief uncovers the profound implications of Brexit, not just for the UK and the EU, but for the future of political messaging worldwide.

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Decoding ISIS-K and its Resurgence

Foreign Policy

July 5, 2024

ISIS-K is rapidly pursuing violent operations to acquire regional influence, staunchly imposing its stringent interpretation of Sharia law. In March of 2024, a large shift in strategy occurred when the group attacked a Moscow concert hall, killing 143 civilians. This has raised questions about the prospective intentions of the terrorist outfit.

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Houthi Rebel Attacks in the Red Sea

Foreign Policy

April 3, 2024

The Houthis are an anti-Sunni Yemeni rebel group. Since November 2023, The Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone attacks on commercial Israeli ships in the Red Sea targeting as a response to the intensifying war in Gaza. The US has responded with self-defense strikes, which was met with mixed responses from the Middle East, Europe, and regional powers.

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Freedom and Fairness of the 2024 Bangladeshi Parliamentary Election

Foreign Policy

In early January, increasingly autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League won her fifth term in office as Prime Minister. For months preceding the election, violence and protests broke out as a result of controversy surrounding Hasina’s rule. These protests were repressed as Hasina became notorious for cracking down on free speech. The main opposition party, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) declined to participate in the election, calling for an interim caretaker government, which Hasina refused. Her victory was highly controversial among BNP members and has been recognized as an unfree and unfair election by several countries.

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Greece and Turkey Sign Commitment To Friendly Relations

Foreign Policy

February 13, 2024

Poor Turkish-Greek relations are influenced by centuries of ethnic divisions and conflicting land claims, which has resulted in the countries fighting two major wars against one another. Recently, a sudden and unexpected break in tensions between Greece and Turkey led to a landmark agreement to mend ties.

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Strife and Autonomy: The Case of Nagorno-Karabakh

Foreign Policy

December 4, 2023

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one a deeply rooted dispute that has plagued the South Caucasus region for decades. It can be traced back to the early 20th century when the South Caucasus region was part of the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution and the subsequent breakup of the empire, the region’s status became a flashpoint of contention between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region, an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, emerged as a focal point of dispute as it tried to declare its autonomy and independence from the larger republic.

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Remembering Afghanistan: Humanitarian Crisis

Foreign Policy

October 26, 2023

This brief covers the aftermath of the US military’s exit from Afghanistan in 2021, highlighting the ongoing refugee and humanitarian crisis within and internationally. It also recommends solutions to address existing and potential humanitarian problems.

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

Foreign Policy

December 23, 2023

The Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 were the largest single-day loss of life of Jewish people since the Holocaust, and represented the single deadliest day on Israeli soil since the state’s independence in 1948. Over 1,400 Israelis had been killed through a combination of attacks on suburban kibbutz communities and rural populations, including the Re’im Music Festival, bringing substantial social media attention to the attacks through victim-recorded footage.

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