It's Debatable
Intervention or Restraint? A Washington debate on pressing issues for policymakers.
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Supporters of Mali's military government wave flags of Russian during a pro-junta and pro-Russia rally in Bamako on May 13, 2022. Why Can’t the World Agree on Ukraine?
Combatting the West’s strategic narcissism with some strategic empathy would be a good start.
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press after arriving at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Feb. 4, 2023. Is the U.S. Reaction to China’s Spy Balloon Overdue or Overblown?
Beijing’s botched high-altitude surveillance has provoked a backlash among Biden administration officials and the American public.
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The U.S. Abrams tanks, the German Leopard and the AHS Krab, a 155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer seen at a training ground in Poland on Sept. 21, 2022. Will Tanks Turn the Tide for Ukraine?
Germany and the United States are sending Leopards and M1 Abrams tanks—but Washington’s desired endgame is still a mystery.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Nov. 8, 2022. Is Turkey a Crucial or Corrosive NATO Ally?
Erdogan’s foot-dragging on Sweden and Finland is causing headaches for Western leaders.
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People holding candles form a large, glowing peace sign at night in a grand plaza. Will 2023 Be More Peaceful Than 2022?
This year saw Russia invade Ukraine, China’s Xi Jinping secure a third term, and Iranians take to the streets. What will 2023 look like?
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U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Leaders Session at the Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. Are Autocratic Allies Damaging U.S. and EU Credibility?
From Equatorial Guinea’s leverage over Washington to Qatar’s scandal in Brussels, small resource-rich states are flexing their diplomatic muscle.
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Mehrdad Minavand of Iran in action during the World Cup first round match against the United States at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, France on June 21, 1998. Iran won the match 2-1. A U.S.-Iranian Standoff at the World Cup—and Beyond
Off the playing field, Iran’s protests and ongoing uranium enrichment have heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate J.D. Vance greet supporters during the rally on Nov. 7 in Vandalia, Ohio. Will U.S. Midterm Results Affect Washington’s Foreign Policy?
A Republican-led House could mean a more hawkish stance on China and less aid for Ukraine—or more of the same.
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U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 29. Is Biden’s National Security Strategy a Match for a Chaotic World?
The long-awaited document leaves more questions than answers about the White House’s approach to global crises.
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A picture taken on March 18, 2008 shows Russian Topol missiles during a rehearsal for the nation's annual May 9 Victory Day parade, in Yushkovo, Russia. Can Vague U.S. Threats Deter Russia From Using Nukes?
Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian territories raises the risk of nuclear confrontation, but it’s unclear whether Washington’s rhetoric will stop him.
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Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia How Should the West Respond to Putin’s Military Mobilization?
Doubling down on support for Ukraine could lead to wider conflict—or force the Kremlin to back down.
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U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a primetime speech at Independence National Historical Park Sept. 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What Does Biden’s Confrontational Speech Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy?
Framing geopolitics in terms of democracy and autocracy won’t necessarily help bring peace.
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Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (L) at the foreign ministry in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25. Who Benefits From a New Iran Deal?
A revival of the nuclear deal might only delay an Iranian bomb—but it could help the West deal with the looming winter energy crisis.
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Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase in Crimea. Will an Attack on Crimea Change the Course of the Ukraine War?
Kyiv has shown that it can hit far behind enemy lines, but putting Crimea in play may deal a psychological blow without altering the territorial endgame.
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A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast. What Does the Pelosi Taiwan Uproar Mean for U.S. China Policy?
The controversy over Nancy Pelosi’s proposed trip highlights the contradictions of U.S. policy toward the island.
