Tag Archives: travel

White Paper: The Identity of the Wise Men of the Gospels — Biblical and Historical Context

Posted on November 7, 2025 by nathanalbright

I. Introduction The account of the Wise Men from the East visiting the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12) has fascinated theologians, historians, and lay readers alike. While popular tradition imagines three kings visiting the manger, Scripture itself is more restrained, mentioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, History, International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Moving National Capitals: What Governments Seek—and Why They Get the Numbers Wrong

Posted on November 5, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary Relocating a national capital is one of the most consequential—and riskiest—public investments a government can undertake. Leaders pursue it to decongest megacities, re-balance regional development, signal regime renewal, reduce security and climate risks, or cement territorial claims. Yet, … Continue reading →

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White Paper: The Hudson River School of Art: History, Aesthetics, and Enduring Value for Collectors

Posted on November 4, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary The Hudson River School (c. 1825–1875) was the first distinctly American movement in painting. Its artists—most notably Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Frederic Edwin Church, Albert Bierstadt, and Sanford Robinson Gifford—crafted large, luminous landscapes that fused close observation … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, History, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Check Engine Light Problem — Causes, Implications, and Paths Toward Vehicle Literacy and Systemic Reform

Posted on November 4, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Across North America and much of the industrialized world, the “check engine” light has become a near-universal sight on dashboards. Surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest that a significant proportion of vehicles on the road operate with this warning … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Citizenship as a Weapon in the Contemporary World

Posted on October 30, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Citizenship, once considered a framework of belonging and participation, has increasingly become an instrument of coercion and control in the 21st century. While international norms assert the universality of human rights, in practice, governments and institutions differentiate sharply … Continue reading →

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“Law on the Move”: The Legal Climate of Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois—Its Rhythms and Culture

Posted on October 29, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary Between statehood (1818) and the Civil War, Illinois law matured from a rough-hewn, locally inflected system into an increasingly professional, statute-guided, market-oriented order. Abraham Lincoln practiced in the very center of this evolution (1830s–1850s). The daily life of … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Establishing Middle Eastern Extension Campuses to Revitalize International Enrollment

Posted on October 24, 2025 by nathanalbright

I. Problem Statement The university has experienced a significant decline in Middle Eastern student enrollment. Factors may include: Increased regional investment in domestic universities. Travel restrictions, visa uncertainty, and geopolitical risk. Cultural or religious hesitations about studying abroad. Economic pressures … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Investigating the Location of Akkad and Other Lost Historical Cities

Posted on October 21, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary The ancient city of Akkad—capital of the Akkadian Empire founded by Sargon of Akkad (ca. 2334–2279 BCE)—remains one of the most tantalizing unsolved mysteries in Near Eastern archaeology. Despite centuries of research, Akkad’s precise location remains unknown. This … Continue reading →

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The Sherman Antitrust Act and the Structure of American Sports

Posted on October 21, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was intended to prevent monopolization and promote competitive markets across the U.S. economy. Yet in the world of sports, the Act’s influence has been paradoxical—sometimes shaping leagues into more equitable and competitive … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Afghanistan–Pakistan: Conflict Dynamics, Capabilities, and Pathways to (De-)Escalation

Posted on October 20, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary Border violence between Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has spiked to the worst levels since 2021, culminating this week in a Qatar- and Turkey-mediated ceasefire after days of airstrikes, artillery exchanges, and border closures. The truce commits both sides … Continue reading →

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