The Conversation

Baloch insurgency: Suicide bombs and uptick in violence threaten Pakistan, regional security

Written by Amira Jadoon, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Clemson University

The aftermath of an attack by Baloch separatists in Quetta, Pakistan, on Feb. 1, 2026.Banaras Khan/AFP via Getty Images

In the space of 10 days in late April 2026, insurgents in Pakistan purportedly carried out 27 attacks in the country’s southwest province of Balochistan, killing at least 42 military personal. Then, on May 11, authorities...

Most people don’t know what they don’t know, but think they do – correcting your metaknowledge can make you a better teacher and learner

Written by Tommy Blanchard, Research Associate in Cognitive Science, Tufts University

The ability to say 'I know that I know nothing' could be considered a sign of wisdom. Nicolas-André Monsiau/Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts via Wikimedia Commons

Do you know what the Apple logo looks like?

Chances are, you think you do. It’s ubiquitous and iconic. How could you not know it?

But when tested, it turns out very few people can...

Immigrant patients often choose doctors with a shared cultural background – what they are seeking isn’t sameness but connection

Written by Yasamine Salkar, Clinical Assistant Professor of Health Administration, Georgia State University

Patients seek clinical interactions where they feel heard. Evgeniia Siiankovskaia/Moment via Getty Images

At a recent dental appointment, I was unexpectedly seen by a new provider in my longtime dentist’s practice. Early in the visit, he realized we were both Iranian American. Like me, he had been born and raised in the United States. We were...

Why Trump’s call to pull 5,000 US troops from Germany will hurt America

Written by Michael A. Allen, Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

The propeller of a 'raisin bomber' airplane from World War II is seen in Frankfurt, Germany, in June 2020.AP Photo/Michael Probst

President Donald Trump announced on May 1, 2026, that the United States will withdraw 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany – personnel who had been deployed there as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Germa...

Falling space debris poses an escalating risk as spacecraft get stronger and more heat resistant

Written by Matthew Ray, Professor of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Stout

Not all space debris burns up in the atmosphere before it makes it back to Earth. PaulFleet/iStock via Getty Images

When it comes to space debris, what goes up is coming down more often – and not safely.

When spacecraft launch, some components, including nonreusable rocket boosters, are jettisoned to decrease weight, leaving them to...

We tested the new World Cup ball – this is what you need to know about how it will fly, dip and swerve

Written by John Eric Goff, Visiting Assistant Professor, Physics, University of Puget Sound

Small variations in the ball can influence how it behaves once it leaves the foot.Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

Every four years, the men’s World Cup delivers some certainties. The pitch dimensions are tightly regulated, offside is signaled with a flag, and referees end the match with a blast of a whistle. But one key piece of equipment...

Detroit’s water affordability crisis is tied to the uneven distribution of stormwater management costs – a fraught history explains why

Written by Nicole Van Lier, Assistant Professor of Urban and Environmental Studies, Loyola Marymount University

Workers repair a water pipeline that dates back to the 1930s. In the coming years, utility bills in Detroit are likely to rise to pay for upgrades to aging infrastructure. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Beginning in July 2026, Detroiters will be paying higher water and sewer bills.

That’s because The Great Lakes Water...

How tarot readers are using AI – and what it says about our growing reliance on chatbots for emotional support and advice

Written by Ziv Epstein, Postdoctoral Associate, Schwarzman College of Computing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Tarot readings can encourage self-reflection. But what happens when you turn to AI to interpret the cards?Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Sally Hansen

If you’ve ever turned to artificial intelligence to try to figure out how to handle a tricky situation with a friend or colleague, you’re far from alone. For many, AI has become a modern...

Why Pennsylvania’s low-income residents are feeling the squeeze as gas prices rise

Written by Hannah Wiseman, Professor of Law, Penn State

Pennsylvania consistently ranks among states with the highest gas prices.eyecrave productions/iStock via Getty Images Plus

When gas prices rise, not everyone feels the pain equally. For low-income and rural Pennsylvanians, a trip to the gas station can mean choosing between a full tank and groceries. Many factors, such as crude oil costs, distributi...

Suspending federal gas tax wouldn’t save drivers as much as they might hope – here’s what goes into the price of a gallon of gas

Written by Robert I. Harris, Assistant Professor of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Gas taxes – federal and state – make up only a small piece of the price of a gallon of gas.AP Photo/Jenny Kane

With gasoline prices still high – averaging over US$4.50 a gallon in mid-May 2026 – President Donald Trump said he wanted Congress to suspend the federal gas tax, which is 18.4 cents a gallon for gasoline and 24.3...