Vol. 3 [Publisher's Letter] The Iran War, the Markets, and Talarico

What many expected to end as a short operation—like Venezuela—has not unfolded according to plan in the U.S.–Iran war. Analysts now warn of a prolonged conflict, citing possible escalation involving Israel and other Middle Eastern states, and even limited Russian involvement. This has heightened concerns that already fragile geopolitical tensions could erupt further, sharply tightening the global economy just as it had begun to recover on the back of AI-driven momentum. Some worry about the impact on Korea’s recently surging stock market, while others—absorbed in domestic politics—focus on how this may affect the current administration and the U.S.–Korea alliance.

As UT alumni, we stand in a uniquely informed position, having lived in both worlds. In Texas—arguably one of the most distinctly American environments—we learned the values of freedom and frontier spirit. In Korea, we have seen firsthand how a middle power can move beyond survival toward prosperity by responding sensitively and strategically to international shifts. For that reason, I would argue that our alumni community is particularly well equipped to read the U.S.–Iran war beyond a purely Korean lens: through internal American perspectives, global stakeholder reactions, and the unpredictable changes that may follow.

One figure I have been watching closely is James Talarico, recently nominated as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas. While upholding traditional Christian values, Talarico is rapidly attracting parts of MAGA voters who feel betrayed by Trump’s expansionist posture. At the same time, he is reframing a century-old left-right battlefield into a new divide: establishment power versus ordinary citizens.

I pay attention to him because we may be entering a decisive moment in which conviction-driven
actors—once aligned with Western capitalism—could converge with the overwhelming majority of the public. If that happens, entrenched elites may be forced to choose between capital-intensive growth for the few and shared prosperity for the many. On the other hand, today’s ultra-elites—symbolized by figures such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel—may already have decided to preserve and expand global influence without regard for public sentiment.

Talarico is only one example. But I hope our alumni continue to broaden our horizon beyond Korea and the United States, across international affairs, technology, economics, politics, and culture. May our distinctive experiences be put to meaningful use for both our nations and humanity in this era of change. SXSK and UTAKA will continue to do our best to support that mission.

John Kim (PGE ’05) / Publisher / President of UTAKA