April 2, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Larus Comments on US Tariffs

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, commented on WION News on President Trump’s tariffs. Professor Larus indicated that it will be difficult for the US to have good relations with allies when Trump is imposing uncertainty on foreign businesses. She also indicated that Trump’s supporters will continue to back him in the short run despite tariff hikes, but he might lose a lot of that support if prices do not begin to come down. https://youtu.be/rn9-Y1dm2Wk?si=iDmRIND6fpk9s1rM

Other media mentions for Larus include:

Trump’s Pentagon seeks spending on Pacific forces, cuts to environmental and cultural programs (Star Advertiser)
“His request that INDO­PACOM be exempted from budget cuts indicates a priority shift from Europe to the Indo­Pacific,” said Elizabeth Freund Larus, adjunct senior fellow at the Honolulu-based Pacific Forum. “It recognizes that China poses the biggest threat to the post-World War II global order. Hegseth’s list of 17 offsets includes funding for military construction funding in the Indo-Pacific to support the military’s Pacific Deterrence Initiative strategic plan.” https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/03/23/hawaii-news/hegseth-seeks-to-build-pacific-forces-cut-environmental-programs/

Larus Comments on Japan Prime Minister’s White House Visit by BBC Chinese

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus, who is nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Center and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative commented to BBC Chinese on Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba’s White House visit. Professor Larus indicated that meeting with Trump gave Ishiba “face” following his party’s poor showing in recent elections, raising his political image. At the meeting, the US and Japan agreed that China is their most intractable strategic rival in the Indo-Pacific region. Read the article.

Other media mentions for Larus include:

Trump Reshapes U.S. Military Leadership in Major Overhaul (NewsX World)
Larus participated in a panel discussion on President Trump’s overhaul of U.S. Military Leadership. Professor Larus noted that not only was Trump removing senior officers but is seeking a new crop of JAG officers, the military lawyers who represent the legal interests of soldiers. https://youtu.be/oqJ6Ti95JFY?si=cAepsITFZkE2Q3e6

Taiwan Investigates Damage to Undersea Cable (Deutsche Welle)
Larus commented on Germany’s Deutsche Welle on sabotage of Taiwan’s undersea cable. Professor Larus indicated that China was likely to have carried out the severing of the cable, as it had several times before. She also claimed that the act was consistent with China’s “gray zone” activities that fall short of war, and that non-kinetic attacks, such as those against lines of communication and infrastructure, presage kinetic attacks. https://www.dw.com/en/taiwan-investigates-damage-to-undersea-cable/video-71749946

Need for Synchronous and Flexible Policies (Vietnam News)
Larus was interviewed by Vietnam News on President Trump’s immigration policy. Among other comments, Professor Larus indicated that Trump had campaigned on a promise to stem the flow of illegal immigration to the United States through the southern border and that his policies are carrying through on that promise. https://vnews.gov.vn/video/the-gioi-hom-nay-can-chinh-sach-dong-bo-va-linh-hoat-151583.htm

US-Russian Officials Meet In Saudi As EU Leaders Meet In Paris (NewsX World)
Larus offered commentary to NewsX on US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia on ending the Ukraine War. Professor Larus indicated that Russia is willing to negotiate bilaterally with the US rather than multilaterally with Europe because Putin feels he can get the best deal with Trump. https://youtu.be/7Vq9zSWkBW0

Israel Accuses Hamas of Ceasefire Violation Over Misidentified Captive (NewsX World)
Larus commented to India’s NewsX on the ceremony that Hamas conducted at the handover of Israeli hostages’ remains. Professor Larus indicated that the ceremony, marked with music and parading of the remains and attended by thousands of Hamas supporters, was a demonstration of both hate and power. Even the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia condemned it as cruel and inhumane and a disgrace to Islam. https://youtu.be/L2eJLRgj0CM

Indian Prime Minister Visits the White House (Times of India)
Larus offered continuous commentary on Indian Prime Minister Modi’s January 20, 2025 visit to the White House, indicating that “President Trump would like more hi-tech cooperation with India, recognizing that developing new technology is important to the military calculus in the Indo-Pacific.” https://x.com/TimesNow/status/1890132213976432869

Larus Discusses Citizenship for WION

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus, who is nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Center and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative discussed citizenship for WION. In an piece entitled “US Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship” she said “I indicated to WION News that Trump’s Executive Order limiting birthright citizenship is an attempt to push the issue of citizenship for the children of illegal migrants up to the Supreme Court for reinterpretation to its original intent.” View the piece. 

Other media mentions for Larus include:

Washington Plane Crash: Trump Blames Diversity Hires For Lowering Safety Standards (WION)
“Well, President Trump certainly ran on a campaign of abolishing DEI programs. That was one of his first executive orders and, in fact, he did sign a very specific executive order that it is titled something like stop the madness in DEI in the FAA,” said Elizabeth Larus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIkN56wimOg
Trump Slaps New Tariffs (WION)
On the eve of imposing tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, there still might be “wiggle room” for negotiation. Trump is coming under pressure from businesses as well as members of Congress who are eying 2026 midterm elections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5n6hEfiCZA

 

Larus Discusses U.S. Politics for the Times of India

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus, who is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Center and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative discussed U.S. politics with the Times of India. In the interview entitled Trump 2.2, Larus said “I would hope the world is not worried. Certainly, they might be concerned about some uncertainty going forward. However, it appears that President Trump has been pretty clear in his agenda both domestic and foreign policy.” View the piece. 

Other media mentions for Larus include:
Trump Secret Service Pick (WION)
“Well, first of all it is not uncommon for presidents to fill significant cabinet positions with their closest aids, people that they know. We know that loyalty is extremely important to President Trump,” said Elizabeth Larus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH-_vMtEAaU

Larus Quoted by WION Regarding America’s “Paradoxical Voters”

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Larus, professor emerita of political science and international affairs, commented to WION, an Indian news network, that many women are not single-issue voters. Abortion may not be the most important issue for some women, many of whom are more concerned by high prices, crime, illegal immigration and the prospect of war. You can see the commentary here via X.

Other recent media mentions for Larus include:

U.S. Presidential Race (News X World)
Elizabeth Larus, joins us on the broadcast to analyze what the future holds for America. https://x.com/NewsX/status/1851990085333585934?t=NE8Yukj8MSpcDZb5bvlLzQ&s=19

US Presidential Elections 2024: Impact on Taiwan (The Diplomat)
This conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Freund Larus – nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative and professor emerita of political science and former departmental chairman of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington – is the 439th in “The Trans-Pacific View Insight Series.” https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/us-presidential-elections-2024-impact-on-taiwan/

2024 US Presidential Election (x.com/CNN News 18)
Elizabeth indicated to CNN that Republicans this year are taking a page from the Democratic Party playbook to up their ground game.
https://x.com/CNNnews18/status/1853937795926241497?t=ZRiK_luM_yjjQ2cl8_IYyg&s=09

2024 US Elections (Poland’s TVP News)
Elizabeth indicated that Congressional and Senate races would be as competitive as the Presidential race as Democrats try to gain control of the House and Republicans try to gain control of the Senate, and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoXCYbo_X-8

Trump 2.0: What Will It Mean for India (NDTV)
Elizabeth commented that Trump used his outsider status to his advantage at a time when Americans are jaded by US political institutions and the US media.
https://youtu.be/N6tHuOgJPWY?si=fOkvr7mBgOS1q9v0

US Election Results (NewsX)
Elizabeth Larus indicated that the election would come down to specific counties in the swing states.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6KZTnD2V6g

Why Kamala Harris Lost the Election (WION News)
Harris lost despite raising >$1 bn for her war chest, a record amount. It wasn’t the messaging but the message that sunk her. Trump’s victory wasn’t sexist: fewer women supported Harris than supported Biden. Abortion wasn’t the biggest issue: Women aren’t single-issue voters.
https://x.com/WIONews/status/1854924388606554288?t=_DNNHNP-BTGRCGm9Viyk9g&s=19

Larus Quoted by Fox News Regarding Taiwan-China Relations

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global China Hub and Indo-Pacific Strategic Initiative Elizabeth Larus is quoted as an expert in Chinese and Taiwan relations by Fox News Digital. The article, titled “Encircling Taiwan was a smokescreen for China’s real goal of convincing US not to intervene,” quoted Larus as saying “China planned the exercises in advance and would have carried them out regardless of what Lai said. The military exercises are intended to wear down Taiwan’s military hardware and personnel. The purposes of the exercises are to threaten Taiwan’s security to the point that the Taiwan people lose confidence in their government and to change the status quo of a Taiwan separate from China.” Read the article.

In addition, recent media mentions for Larus include:

U.S. Elections 2024 (NewsX Live)
Kamala Harris is leading in the national polls right now but by less than a point.
Putin challenges claims of international isolation (TVP Poland News)
The BRICS meeting in Russia demonstrates that the West has failed to isolate Putin.
Trump vs. Harris: Who does China prefer in the US election? (Deutsche Welle)
A Harris administration would be more likely to return to a policy of engagement with Beijing, like her predecessors other than Trump. “In this case, Chinese leaders might prefer a Harris victory from the standpoint of foreign and defense policy, Larus said, as she is more likely to “play ball with China the way her predecessors — other than Trump — have,” said Elizabeth Larus.

Larus Presents Paper on Taiwan as a Potential Flashpoint

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic China Global China Hub and Indo-Pacific Strategic Initiative, presented her scholarly paper, “The Game for Taiwan: US-China Relations From a Game Theory Perspective, with co-author Agata Ziętek, Professor Larus’s former Fulbright host and current Director of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences at Marie Curie-Skłodowska University in Poland, at the 2024 American Association for Chinese Studies Conference at the University of Las Vegas, October 5, 2024.

Larus Comments on Harris Campaign and Trump-Harris Debate on Taiwan News

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, was featured in a two-part series by Global News Taiwan on Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, September 7 and 10. The program host refers to Professor Larus as 藍若思 beginning at 5 minutes into the program and at 19 minutes into the program.

Larus also offered pre-debate commentary to RW News Taiwan (in Chinese) in advance of the September 10 Trump-Harris Debate. Her name appears as 藍若思 after the first reference.

Larus Comments on Aug. 26 Zuckerberg Letter

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and President of E Larus Consulting LLC, commented on WION news on Mark Zuckerberg’s August 26 letter to the House Judiciary Committee that the Biden Administration pressured Meta to take down information on Covid and Hunter Biden’s laptop that did not fit the administration’s narrative. Larus commented on the timing of the letter, years after hearings on such government pressure on social media, indicating that Zuckerberg no longer needed to accommodate Biden, who dropped his reelection bid, and that Zuckerberg appears to sincerely regret his accommodation of the White House. Read more.

 

Larus Offers Lecture on Taiwan Elections

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Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Non-resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global China Hub and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, offered the bilingual lecture “The Taiwan 2024 Presidential and Legislative Elections” 【2024年台灣選舉】to students and teachers at the Middlebury College Summer Chinese Language School, where she is a Pew Davis Fellow for Peace.

Larus also spoke recently to Radio Free Asia for a segment titled “What is the difference between China’s South China Sea policy of falling out with the Philippines and getting close to Vietnam? Larus told the RFA reporter that the conflict between China and the Philippines at Xianbin Reef highlighted that the aforementioned “temporary arrangement” only coordinated the friction between the two countries around the Second Thomas Shoal, but did not fundamentally resolve the dispute over control in the South China Sea. Listen to the segment.