On July 16th former US diplomat Haywood Rankin along with his wife Sabine Schmid-Rankin from North Carolina made his annual visit to the JHG.

The students came well-prepared with pressing questions on current US politics under Trump and broader global challenges. The topics ranged from Iran to China to immigration, democracy, and youth engagement. Rankin’s message is clear: the US is facing international dysfunction and shifting global power balances.

He began with US-Iran relations, describing them as complicated and deeply rooted in history. Trump’s attempt to halter Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which resulted in a US military strike, left most Americans unbothered.

Turning to global dynamics, Rankin dismissed the likelihood of a third world war, citing nuclear deterrence. However, he warned of China’s steady rise as a global competitor – especially in science, technology and military – and stressed the importance of US investment in innovation to keep pace.

Rankin personally criticized the state of immigration policy, calling it chaotic and politically mishandled. He argued that the US economy depends on immigrants and without clear rules and serious integration efforts, the system would remain broken.

He also addressed growing concerns about the strength of America’s democracy. He pointed to institutional erosion under Trump and warned that political polarization, environmental neglect and anti-science rhetoric are weakening America’s democratic foundations.

Finally, he highlighted the shifting role of young voters and the influence of social media. He noted that younger generations are no longer a guaranteed progressive bloc and expressed concern about how algorithm-driven content is replacing credible journalism in shaping public opinion.

All in all, Rankin’s talk was a sober reminder that while America is not in a free fall, it is drifting – and the direction it takes next will be more important than ever.

Stella Schindlbeck (Q12)