The Strait of Hormuz, one of the most heavily-used passages for oil and energy traffic, has been closed since March of 2026 due to American interference in the Middle East. Tensions have heightened in the wake of the recent conflict in Iran, which has overseen the fall of the previous Ayatollah and the rise of a new government under Ali Khamenei’s second son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Industrial and geopolitical experts have viewed this shutdown as an opportunity to consider expanding or emphasizing alternative passages, including through Saudi Arabia. But we at The Sundial view the closure of the strait as an opportunity to consider something far greater: bipartisanship at Columbia.
Students, administrators, and staff have struggled to find a middle ground ever since the conflict in Gaza began in October of 2023. A recent poll by The Columbia Spectator found that 40% of students feel uncomfortable discussing their political views both inside and outside of the classroom, and institutional support systems from club advisors to residential advisors have expressed dismay at an inability to get students to talk to and hear from students with views in opposition to their own.
What Columbia needs is some good ol’ fashioned bonding. And what better way to bond than identifying a common enemy, or a shared experience? Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, a progressive or a libertarian, we at The Sundial know one thing: your Edikted package is stuck in that Strait.
Maybe you missed out on your dream Bacchanal outfit, or maybe you’re still refreshing the status of grad dress every hour, hoping and praying that the President will fix this mess before Class Day arrives. Whatever your experience, we encourage you to turn to your neighbor, hallmate, or peer, and start a conversation about your #MisplacedStrait. Who knows, maybe you’ll find you have more in common with them than you thought.
This op-ed has been edited by Dani Winkler for clarity.
