The war in Israel and Gaza has sparked intense debate in France, which has Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. President Emmanuel Macron’s behavior and positioning reveal that there is no consensus in his country on this issue, and the French government is very wary of taking any foreign policy action that could spark tensions inside France itself.

In a new Q&A, Tara Varma answers key questions about the political and foreign policy dynamics in the country and the European Union more broadly.

Improving education systems

The impact of competitive debate. Does participation in formal debate training improve educational outcomes? Robert E. Litan, Kimberly Willingham, and Beth Schueler highlight a study which shows that debate makes a real, positive difference in student outcomes. 

Ending the reading wars. With many U.S. students facing reading struggles, there has been an unfortunate debate about teaching phonics vs. meaning. Elias Blinkoff, Panayiota (Pani) Kendeou, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek explain why teaching both is critical. 

Education reform in India. The impact of colonization remains embedded in the structures and mindsets of India’s educational system. Ghulam Omar Qargha and co-authors discuss how to shift classroom practices for the better.