Morgan MacFarlane

Background

About Morgan MacFarlane

Whether I'm traveling the world for research, studying military strategy and counterterrorism analysis, or reviewing a paper for publication, I embrace the unknown and unfamiliar. From my experience both in and out of the classroom, I have found the inherent importance in understanding differences, similarities, geopolitical and power structured histories, and how this affects peace and war between societies. From Elshtain’s book Just War Against Terror to nuanced narratives described by Gail Hershatter, I have gained a vast library of literature that has allowed me to approach questions of security and war across nations with a critical lens. My time in foreign countries with diverse governmental structures has provided me with first-hand narratives as well as piqued a strong curiosity to explore U.S. war policy and the way other countries interact with America. As Cicero points out in On Duties, the word to describe a foe, hostis, originally meant stranger rather than rival, indicating a need for understanding and respect of one’s differences, in the name of similar humanity. My goal is to incorporate the necessary realities of modern U.S. war policy with an understanding of the alien in order to properly represent the values of the United States.