FT News Briefing Swamp Notes: The uproar at American universities
May 4, 2024
Protests at U.S. universities have erupted in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, raising concerns about their impact on President Biden's re-election. The discussion highlights the delicate balance Biden faces with discontent among Arab American voters amid these demonstrations. Additionally, it explores the influence of social media on contemporary activism and the historical context of protests. The conversation also touches on the whimsical yet complex idea of panda diplomacy as a part of Biden's foreign policy strategy with China.
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Columbia University Protests
- Columbia University's president, Manoush Shafiq, testified before a House committee investigating anti-Semitism on campus.
- Her testimony may have fueled protests, and her decision to involve police backfired, leading to larger encampments and copycat protests nationwide.
Biden's Balancing Act
- The protests over the Israel-Hamas war are fracturing President Biden's base, particularly among Arab American voters and other core constituencies.
- If Biden aligns too strongly with the protests, he risks alienating moderate Democrats and facing Republican attacks for appearing weak.
Dahlia Saba's Protest
- Dahlia Saba, a University of Wisconsin student of Palestinian descent, participated in the "Listen to Wisconsin" campaign.
- She expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's Israel policies and plans to vote uninstructed to send a message to the two-party system.