These experts from the UW–Madison faculty and staff have agreed to comment on breaking news, ongoing developments and trends in their areas of expertise. If you need help arranging interviews, email the Office of Strategic Communication.
Experts on the news
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Jonathan Martin on: Severe Weather Outbreak Across the Midwest and Plains
A multi-day severe weather pattern is producing repeated rounds of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging storms across the Midwest and Plains, with forecasters warning that the same regions could see additional rounds of intense weather as atmospheric conditions remain highly favorable.
Jonathan Martin, a professor in the UW–Madison Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, can speak to what’s driving the ongoing severe weather across the Midwest and Plains, and what people should understand about how these storm patterns develop and persist.
He can speak to:
- Why certain weather patterns lead to repeated rounds of severe storms in the same regions.
- How warm moist air and changing weather systems create the conditions for tornadoes and large hail.
- What forecasters look for to determine when severe weather threats will intensify or begin to ease.
Past Media:
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John Hall on: Escalation of conflict in Iran
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets in February and March 2026 triggered a wider conflict and Iranian retaliation across the Middle East. The fighting has heightened fears of regional escalation and raised questions about the strategic consequences of U.S. military involvement in the conflict.
John W. Hall, Ambrose Hesseltine Professor of U.S. Military History at the University of Wisconsin Madison, studies American military policy and the history of modern warfare, including how the United States has used military force in international crises and regional conflicts.
He can speak to:
- How the United States has historically entered and managed conflicts in the Middle East when regional tensions escalate.
- What past conflicts show about how wars expand after initial attacks on leadership or military targets.
- What historical experience suggests about the strategic risks and outcomes when the United States becomes involved in conflicts in the Middle East.
Recent Press:
WTAQ Green Bay- March 2026
