Inside this Issue
Spring is in the Air - Page 2
How to Survive Finals - Page 5
Softball Season Finale - Page 7
The Bengal.
isubengal.com 27 April 2022
Volume 47 Issue 14
The Independent Voice at Idaho State University Since 1910
What the War in Ukraine Means for Our Future Taylor Killpack News Editor On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the Ukraine War. The Bengal talked with Colin Johnson, who studied international relations and Russian politics at Rhodes College and has field experience in the Russian Federation, about the Ukraine War and what impacts it could have both on a local and global scale. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has refused to put troops on the ground so far in support of Ukraine. This act would be seen as an aggressive one, and NATO aims to take a purely defensive stance. The question has been rampant on the news over whether this event will lead to the next world war. When asked if he believes this could come to pass, Johnson said, “No. Or at least probably not.” He also said that he believes it is highly unlikely this war will lead to a draft in the U.S. Students should be prepared to see changes, though. “With those that either are in the Reserves or have family that are in the military, they will hear about deployments,” Johnson said. In addition to seeing an increase in deployments, Johnson warns to start budgeting for high energy costs, which he expects to remain high for the foreseeable future. “We’re going to see really big shifts, at least on a global level, around food prices,” Johnson said. Russia is the world’s number one exporter of grain, with Ukraine following up as the second-largest exporter. This war between Ukraine and Russia means the grain supply will be cut short.
“In the U.S., we shouldn’t see too large of an increase,” Johnson said to reassure students. He went on to detail that it would be much of the Middle East that will likely experience most of the shortages, as they trade largely with Russia because of Cold War dynamics. The shortages should spread to Europe because of its proximity to Russia and Ukraine before it hits the U.S. In March of 2022, President Biden announced the U.S. would be accepting 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. This relocation of refugee families is a slow and steady process, but it will affect Idaho. What most people don’t realize, according to Johnson, is how little aid these families are given in relocation assistance. Even their plane tickets to travel to the U.S., according to Johnson, must be repaid. “Idaho has typically been a drop-point for refugees,” Johnson said. According to him, Idaho is a perfect balance between urban and rural. Refugees need to be able to walk to a grocery store from their house. They also need to be able to afford the cost of living. Idaho has historically afforded refugees both of these luxuries. In addition, “Refugees are disproportionately entrepreneurial,” Johnson said. “You’re much more willing to take on economic risk when you almost lost everything.” In downtown Pocatello, you can find Food O’Clock, run by a local refugee family. Johnson warned that this war isn’t going to be a short or an easy one. “This isn’t a slam-dunk case against Russia,” he said.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr
Please Recycle
Got news? Let us know.
Follow The Bengal:
Contact The Bengal at bgnews@isu.edu
Fully online program | (208) 373-1952 | isu.edu/mshi
@ISUBengal
@ISUBengal
isubengal