It's Debatable
Intervention or Restraint? A Washington debate on pressing issues for policymakers.
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U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15. Should Biden Backtrack on His Campaign Promises?
The president’s trip to Saudi Arabia and talk of regional security guarantees are a dramatic departure from his rhetoric during the 2020 race.
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Photographs of Russia's war in Ukraine are displayed as part of an exhibition at the railway station where trains from Moscow to Kaliningrad pass by on Apr. 26, 2022 in Kalveliai, Lithuania. Will the Kaliningrad Crisis Lead to War?
Lithuania’s muscular move to enforce EU sanctions by blocking Russian rail cargo could risk escalating the Russia-NATO conflict.
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Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5. What Is Biden’s Policy in the Persian Gulf?
Talk of security guarantees for the UAE and a thaw in Washington-Riyadh relations could enhance—or weaken—U.S. standing in the region.
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Taiwanese reservists take part in military training at a base in Taoyuan on March 12, 2022. Is Biden Being Machiavellian or Misguided on Taiwan?
The U.S. president’s surprise statement could deter China—or increase the risk of war.
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A bullet-riddled Ukrainian national flag flies in Malyn, Ukraine, on May 4. What’s the Endgame in Ukraine?
As Washington prepares to send another $40 billion in military aid and Europe seeks a Russian oil embargo, the West’s ultimate goal is still unclear.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) meets with a delegation including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) on April 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Is Weakening Russia a Bad Idea?
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s comments raise questions about Washington’s endgame in Ukraine.
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U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019. Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?
The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?
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French deputies and senators applaud during a videoconference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (on screen) at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, on March 23. Would a Peace Deal Between Russia and Ukraine Do More Harm Than Good?
While a serious negotiated settlement could end Ukrainians’ suffering, a premature peace deal could be the worst possible outcome for Kyiv.
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A Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during a military parade Would Putin Use Nuclear Weapons?
The urge to do more to help Ukraine is running up against concerns over nuclear escalation with Russia.
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg Is There a Risk of a NATO vs. Russia War?
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine marks a tectonic shift in world politics and increases the danger of superpower confrontation and the militarization of Europe.
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A Ukrainian serviceman stands in front of tanks Is There a Diplomatic Offramp in Ukraine?
As Russia masses troops along the border—and in Belarus—the prospects for peaceful resolution are fading, but there are options.
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An activist wrapped in Ukraine's flag stands outside the White House during an anti-Putin protest on March 12, 2014 in Washington. Is Defending Ukraine Vital to U.S. Security?
As Putin prepares to invade, Washington and its allies still appear undecided on whether Kyiv is worth fighting for.
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Police fired tear gas and stun grenades. Will Unrest in Kazakhstan Inflame Tensions Between Russia and the West?
A sudden wave of protests has spooked the Kremlin and precipitated an unprecedented intervention by Moscow and its allies.
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The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system (left) intercepts rockets fired by the Hamas movement toward southern Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14. Will 2022 Bring More War and Chaos?
2021 has been a lesson in the limits of U.S. foreign policy.
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A passenger arriving from South Africa is tested for COVID-19 at Schiphol airport on Dec. 2 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The World Is Starting to Doubt Biden’s Promise That ‘America Is Back’
From omicron restrictions to the Iran deal and the democracy summit, Washington is making questionable calls that don’t inspire confidence in U.S. leadership.
