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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Eddie Ryan

Eddie Ryan, Columnist

I am a junior studying history and economics. I am also interested in philosophy, law and public policy; I especially enjoy writing about politics and literature.

Reach me at [email protected]

An aerial view of the Main Quad on May 9.

Letter to the Editor | 2 things I wish I knew sooner

By Eddie Ryan • August 17, 2023
Elliot Smith on the cover of LA Weekly. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan explores the legacy of Smith’s honest and expressive songwriting.

Opinion | Remembering the lost Beatle Elliott Smith

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • May 9, 2023
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman attends a flag order he issued for two Pennsylvania state police troopers killed in the line of duty on March 21.

Opinion | Democrats need to take firmer action

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • October 31, 2022
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during a consultation for the "Brothers of Italy" party at the Quirinal Palace in Italy on Aug. 22, 2019.

Opinion | Beware of Italian illiberal bloc

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • October 14, 2022
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, rests on the State Gun Carriage as the funeral procession proceeds from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch on Sept. 19.

Opinion | Don’t expect change in Britain

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • September 26, 2022
28th Chilean President Salvador Allende speaks to journalist José María Navasal during his term. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that there is hope for Chileans despite the result of the newly proposed charter on Sept. 4.

Opinion | Hope remains for Chileans despite vote

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • September 12, 2022
H.E. Recep Tayvip Erdogan speaks about his twelve years in office and the Turkish role in the international community on May 17, 2013. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that expanding NATO can hurt the world’s largest ethnic group, the Kurds.

Opinion | NATO expansion harms Kurds

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • September 2, 2022
Protestors take to the streets of Philadelphia to support the Alabama Amazon Union. Senior Columnist Eddie Ryan writes about Amazon’s actions toward the suppression of unionization within its workforce.

Opinion | Amazon Labor Union offers key lesson for labor

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • April 25, 2022
Opinion | Beware Eurocentric coverage of Ukraine

Opinion | Beware Eurocentric coverage of Ukraine

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • April 2, 2022
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits positions of armed forces near the frontline in the Donbass region, Ukraine April 9. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that western countries should step up to aid Ukraine.

Opinion | Western countries must optimize solution in Ukraine conflict

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • March 23, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 24. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that Putin should be held accountable for the Ukraine situation, but NATO’s role should also be taken in consideration for what is happening.

Opinion | Blame Putin, but don’t absolve NATO

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • March 7, 2022
Comedian Pete Davidson attends the premiere of Hulu's "Big Time Adolescence" in New York on Mar. 5, 2020. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that Davidson's charism and personality is being overlooked by his appearance in media.

Opinion | Pete Davidson is more than ‘ugly hot’

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • March 1, 2022
Local villagers receive humanitarian aid from the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan in 2008. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that President Biden's misuse with the Afghan funds is not the right course of action.

Opinion | Don’t spend Afghanistan’s money

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • February 25, 2022
Protester holds a sign against the military coup in Myanmar on Feb. 14, 2021. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan discusses the anniversary of Myanmar's coup being overshadowed by the Ukraine situation.

Opinion | Coup anniversary marks ticking clock in Myanmar

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • February 17, 2022
Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto introduces U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken with the U.S. Mission Geneva team Mar. 3, 2016. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that the U.S. needs to take diplomatic action in the Ukraine and Russia dispute.

Opinion | US needs a diplomatic spark in Ukraine

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • February 9, 2022
An Ukrainian company stands in formation during a ceremony on Nov. 2, 2013. Senior columnist Eddie Ryan argues that the US should take diplomatic efforts in regards to aiding Ukraine.

Opinion | US neglects viable option to resolve Ukraine crisis

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • January 31, 2022
Opinion | It’s time for a drone strike reckoning

Opinion | It’s time for a drone strike reckoning

By Eddie Ryan, Senior Columnist • January 24, 2022
Hezbollah fighters at a ceremony on Jan. 14, 2018. Columnist Eddie Ryan believes that Lebanon's future in having a booming democracy has not been fully recognized.

Opinion | ‘Old Lebanon’ must be saved | II

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • December 14, 2021
Aftermath of a deadly explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon on Aug. 4, 2020. Columnist Eddie Ryan believes that much help is needed for country in preserving "Old Lebanon".

Opinion | ‘Old Lebanon’ must be saved | I

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • November 16, 2021
German Finance Minister, Vice-Chancellor and the Social Democratic Party's candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for a session of exploratory talks with leading members of the social democratic SPD party, the Greens and the free democratic FDP party in Berlin, Germany on Oct. 15. Columnist Eddie Ryan believes that it is important that the European Union must take a progressive turn and that Scholz might be able to help.

Opinion | EU must embrace progressive turn | I

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • November 1, 2021
U.S. Border Patrol agents interact with Haitian immigrants on the bank of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas on Sept. 20, as seen from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Columnist Eddie Ryan believes that it isn't possible for Haitians to seek asylum from America because of the current administration.

Opinion | Asylum for Haitians is not optional

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • October 21, 2021
Joe Manchin, senator from West Virginia, speaks at the Devos Rally on Feb. 6, 2017. Columnist Eddie Ryan argues that Manchin moderation of climate change policies is a nightmare.

Opinion | Manchin’s moderation imperils climate bill

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • October 7, 2021
A painting of a sleeping man called "Le Convalescent ou le Blessé" by artist Carolus Duran is shown above. Columnist Eddie Ryan supplies readers with notes from a convalescent.

DI Voices | Notes from a convalescent

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • September 25, 2021
Neelab holds up her one year old's birth certificate. Columnist Eddie Ryan shares his opinion on the Afghanistan Refugee problem that is now taking place after the United States left Afghanistan.

Opinion | America is indebted to Afghan refugees

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • September 13, 2021
Sergeant Zach Smola, rear door gunner on a CH-47, keeps watch on the mountains in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan on May 12, 2013. Columnist Eddie Ryan argues that Americas self absorption has hurt Afghans yet again.

Opinion | American solipsism hurts Afghans again

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • September 2, 2021
At the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., Vice President Kamala Harris swears-in Merrick Garland as U.S. Attorney General on March 11, 2021. Garland has not released the unredacted memo since it is now unshielded.

Opinion | What’s going on at the Department of Justice?

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • July 22, 2021
Oscar Wilde (left) poses for a photo in 1852. P. G. Wodehouse (right) poses for a photo in 1904. Columnist Eddie Ryan claims that both authors have many parallels in their work.

Opinion | Wodehouse-Wilde nexus continually endures

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • July 7, 2021
Author P.G. Wodehouse poses for a photo in the 1930's. Columnist Eddie Ryan claims that Wodehouse's novel “The Code of the Woosters” perfectly encapsulates British social conventions through his use of comedic remarks.

Opinion | Wodehouse novel depicts British social conventions through comedy

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • June 30, 2021
George Orwell was a writer who wrote "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four". Columnist Eddie Ryan shares his thoughts on Orwell's writings.

Opinion | Mind your Orwellian manners

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • June 10, 2021
In Dearborn, Amer Zahr gives a speech to protesters during a rally and march in support of Palestine on May 18, 2021. Columnist Eddie Ryan shares his ideas on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Opinion | Do not forget the Palestinian National Initiative

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • June 2, 2021
Russian lawyer Alexei Navalny stares with intent on Oct. 22, 2011. Columnist Eddie Ryan argues that Navalny is facing a turning point in his career.

Opinion | Navalny faces another inflection point

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • May 11, 2021
Opinion | Left should care about free speech

Opinion | Left should care about free speech

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • April 21, 2021
The Student Union, along with many teachers, protest against a military coup in front of the State Government Office in Hpa-An, Kayin State, Myanmar on Feb. 9. Columnist Eddie Ryan argues that suffering Burmese deserve stronger solidarity.

Opinion | Suffering Burmese deserve consolidated solidarity

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • April 13, 2021
Farmers in India protest at a rally in 2020. Columnist Eddie Ryan argues that president Biden’s Asia-centric foreign policy needs to focus on integrating India into his plans.

Opinion | India integral to Biden’s Asia-centric foreign policy | II

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • March 29, 2021
Authorities commence the evening flag lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan International Border near Wagah in August 2017. Columnist Eddie believes that India is integral to Biden’s Asia-related policy.

Opinion | India integral to Biden’s Asia-centric foreign policy | I

By Eddie Ryan, Columnist • March 8, 2021
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