There’s a long history of justices in the minority entrenching their positions as a “committee of one,” says Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, for a time, was nicknamed the Lone Ranger, propping up a small cowboy doll in his chambers. The Supreme Court always plays the long game, she adds. “It is not lost forever to the liberals.”

Sparked by her experiences as an adolescent, Kokas has made a career out of researching Chinese culture. A faculty senior fellow at the Miller Center, she’s studied at the Beijing Film Academy and has been a participant in the Public Intellectuals Program of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. In 2017, she wrote the award-winning book, “Hollywood Made in China,” a study of the partnerships between Chinese and American producers to make feature films for global audiences. At UVA this semester, Kokas is teaching “Media in China: Technology, Policy and Commerce.”

University of Virginia (UVA) hosted Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan for a virtual conversation on Pakistan-US relations and regional dynamics in South Asia. The conversation was moderated by UVA’s Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ambassador Steve Mull. Dean, Batten School for Public Policy Mr. Ian Solomon gave the welcoming remarks.

University of Virginia (UVA) hosted Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan for a virtual conversation on Pakistan-US relations and regional dynamics in South Asia. The conversation was moderated by UVA’s Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ambassador Steve Mull. Dean, Batten School for Public Policy Mr. Ian Solomon gave the welcoming remarks.

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“This should be a rocket docket for the Biden administration,” said Barbara Perry, Supreme Court and presidency scholar at the University of Virginia, using a judicial term for hearing cases speedily. “They should have all their ducks in a row, they should be ready to go to make the announcement . . . and get it quickly done before we are into the silly season of the midterms.”

One of the longest-serving members of the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to retire. Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, the oldest member of the Supreme Court, will retire at the end of the court's current term. Barbara Perry, an expert in the Supreme Court from the University of Virginia Miller Center, says this will have big implications ahead of midterms. "I think this is a very smart choice for Justice Breyer,” Perry said.