Power of a presidential visit

+ Gazans’ declining support for Hamas US Edition - Today's top story: Biden’s Middle East trip has messages for both global and domestic audiences [View in browser]( US Edition | 18 October 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Racism remains in ‘gray areas’ of workplace culture]( - [Guns and crosses: Amish tourism out of step with Amish culture]( - [Wobbling tau particles and new way to study quantum physics]( Lead story In his long political career, President Joe Biden has seemingly never hesitated to get onto a plane and fly to the world’s farthest corners, whether it was for a diplomatic meeting or to visit U.S. troops in the field. As Biden demonstrates, showing up is a powerful demonstration that a particular place matters for U.S. policy. That’s clearly [what brings Biden to Israel at this fraught moment](, writes Allison Prasch, a scholar of rhetoric, politics and culture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Like many of his predecessors, Biden uses foreign travel to signal American commitment – both to allies abroad and to key political supporters at home. One last thing: If you value The Conversation’s international coverage, we think you’ll also like the DailyChatter. This daily newsletter covers more than 150 countries by highlighting trusted sources like The Conversation from around the world. Subscribe today and [get the world in your inbox tomorrow](. Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Cities Editor President Biden meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on arriving in Tel Aviv on October 18. AP Photo/Evan Vucci [Biden’s Middle East trip has messages for both global and domestic audiences]( Allison M. Prasch, University of Wisconsin-Madison Until 1906, no US president had ever traveled abroad in office. Then Teddy Roosevelt demonstrated the power of showing up. Ethics + Religion - [Hamas was unpopular in Gaza before it attacked Israel – surveys showed Gazans cared more about fighting poverty than armed resistance]( Nathan French, Miami University Politicians have used their assumptions about Gazans to support their policies. But the people in Gaza experience these policies far differently, writes a scholar of Islamism. - [Amish culture prizes peace − but you wouldn’t necessarily know it from a stop in Amish Country tourist towns]( Susan L Trollinger, University of Dayton Much of the tourism industry that’s sprung up around Amish areas says more about Americans’ own identity than Amish values, a scholar writes. Health + Medicine - [COVID-19 vaccine mandates have come and mostly gone in the US – an ethicist explains why their messy rollout matters for trust in public health]( Rachel Gur-Arie, Arizona State University Vaccine policies fall on a spectrum, from mandates to recommendations. Deciding what to use and when is not so much a science but a balancing act between personal autonomy and public good. Science + Technology - [New technique uses near-miss particle physics to peer into quantum world − two physicists explain how they are measuring wobbling tau particles]( Jesse Liu, University of Cambridge; Dennis V. Perepelitsa, University of Colorado Boulder Physicists uncovered a new experiment hidden in old data from the Large Hadron Collider. Using this innovative approach, the team has unlocked an entirely new way to study quantum physics. Economy + Business - [Nonprofits can become more resilient by spending more on fundraising and admin − new research]( Telesilla Kotsi, The Ohio State University; Alfonso J. Pedraza Martinez, University of Notre Dame Donors and grantmakers often pressure nonprofits to spend as little as possible on fundraising and overhead. - [What do a Black scientist, nonprofit executive and filmmaker have in common? They all face racism in the ‘gray areas’ of workplace culture]( Adia Harvey Wingfield, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis A sociologist interviewed more than 200 Black workers about their experiences. Here’s what she found. International - [Hamas and Hezbollah: how they are different and why they might cooperate against Israel]( Julie M Norman, UCL Hezbollah’s full involvement in the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict would likely open up a regional war. Trending on site - [Deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust spurs a crisis of confidence in the idea of Israel – and its possible renewal]( - [A reflexive act of military revenge burdened the US − and may do the same for Israel]( - [Gangsters are the villains in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ but the biggest thief of Native American wealth was the US government]( Today's graphic 📈 [In 1973, action by OPEC sent oil prices skyrocketing and remade the map of oil resource ownership. Prices are adjusted for inflation, in 2022 dollars.]( From the story, [Rising oil prices, surging inflation: The Arab embargo 50 years ago weaponized oil to inflict economic trauma]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon](• [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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