A field of study for geography.
Heat and mortality in a semi-arid city: A multi-scalar analysis of the impacts of temperature in Denver, Colorado
Key Words: Extreme heat • Temperature-mortality relationships • Heat wave effect • Generalized additive model • Mortality
The study, published in Urban Climate and authored by Elizabeth Dzwonczyk and researchers from the University of Colorado Denver, investigates the temperature-mortality relationship in a semi-arid urban environment over a 30-year period. Utilizing generalized additive models across citywide, census tract, and block group scales, the research demonstrates that 5-day rolling averages of daily maximum surface air temperature offer the most robust predictor of heat-related mortality. These findings identify a modest but consistent heat wave effect and provide localized predictive maps that show risk patterns diverging from conventional socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Ultimately, this multi-scalar framework offers a replicable approach for other semi-arid metropolitan areas to design targeted, equity-driven public health interventions and neighborhood-level adaptation strategies.
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Network-centric US military intelligence strategy for Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape
Key Words: Military intelligence • Africa • United States • United States • network-centric
The study, published in the African Security Review and co-authored by West Point geography faculty member John Melkon, examines the growing geopolitical competition in Africa, specifically focusing on expanding Chinese influence. The authors advocate for a network-centric approach to U.S. Military Intelligence (USMI), emphasizing the critical integration of human intelligence (HUMINT) and the establishment of strategic partnerships with African intelligence services. By applying social network theory, the research outlines strategies to engage key influential nodes within these local communities, which maximizes information flow and counters adversarial disinformation. These findings highlight the necessity of joint intelligence centers, staff exchanges, and revitalized regional expertise, expanding the U.S. framework for maintaining strategic partnerships and regional stability in an era of great power competition.
To cite this article: John Melkon, Brock A. Salgado & Dries Putter (03 Aug 2025): Network-centric US military intelligence strategy for Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape, African Security Review, DOI: 10.1080/10246029.2025.2528706
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Geopolitical Implications of Critical Mineral Mining in the Lithium Triangle
Introduction
Background and Relevance
The Lithium Triangle sits in the Andean Plateau region of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. 60% of the world’s known lithium reserves are contained within a subterranean brine found beneath the regions high-altitude salt flats, known as salars.
The current energy transition has increased the market demand for lithium, which is the primary component of lithium-ion batteries, used in most electronic devices and in notably large quantities in electric vehicle batteries.