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International Affairs

Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 21, 2019
Fox News
Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.
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Iran
commentary
Iran, the Unitary State
Afshon Ostovar, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Oct 18, 2019
Foreign Affairs
Current and future U.S. policy toward Iran must begin with the premise that the Islamic Republic is the sum of its parts and that to try to empower moderates or disempower hard-liners is naive. Rather, Washington should strive to deal with Iran as it is, not as Washington wishes it were.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
U.S. Economic War on China Weakens Nuclear North Korea, Too
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Oct 18, 2019
Nikkei Asian Review
An effective mechanism for bending North Korea's toward denuclearization may be exerting consistent and targeted political, economic, and security pressure on China. Diminishing Beijing's relevance, while not a panacea, could pierce Kim's illusion of invincibility and place him in a bind to make some substantial concessions.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 18, 2019
The Hill
Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.
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Iran
commentary
Iran's Proxies Are More Powerful Than Ever
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Oct 16, 2019
Foreign Policy
The Trump administration has pursued a so-called maximum pressure strategy designed to alter the course of Iran's foreign and security policies, which relies heavily on sanctions to change Iranian behavior. Financial sanctions are an important part of any counterterrorism strategy. But they aren't enough.
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Preschool
commentary
Early Childhood Education and Care Services Across the European Union Member States Still Fall Short of the Mark
Barbara Janta, Carlijn Straathof
Oct 10, 2019
The RAND Blog
Children's access to education and care from a young age is vital. Large differences exist between EU countries in access to those services and the quality of child care. Bridging the gap would require more efforts at the EU and national levels to guarantee that each child has access to services that will have lasting effects on their development.
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International Economic Relations
commentary
The Emerging U.S.–China Strategic Competition and the Role of Trans-Atlantic Cooperation
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Oct 8, 2019
Institut Montaigne
When competing with China, what role should U.S. alliances, especially the transatlantic relationships the United States has with its European partners, play? This question is potentially decisive for whether or not any strategy adopted by the U.S. to compete with China will succeed or fail.
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Taiwan
commentary
China Will Struggle to Shut Taiwan Out of the Pacific
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Oct 3, 2019
The Hill
With the decisions of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati to recognize Beijing over Taipei, the list of Taiwan's official diplomatic partners has decreased to 15. But China is likely to have a difficult time eliminating Taiwan's presence diplomatically in the Pacific.
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China
commentary
The China Dream: Never Closer, yet Never More Elusive
Timothy R. Heath
Oct 1, 2019
The Hill
To achieve its goals of national rejuvenation, China needs to become a true world power. But a softening economy and political gridlock make it seem less and less likely that Beijing will realize all of its objectives.
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Russia
commentary
Russia's Strategy in the Black Sea: How NATO Can Up Its Game
Stephen J. Flanagan, Irina A. Chindea
Sep 24, 2019
The RAND Blog
In March 2019, RAND brought together a group of security experts to discuss Russia's strategy in the Black Sea region, and what Western countries can do to protect common interests and counter Moscow's malign influence there.
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China
commentary
How Not to Confront China
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne, James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Sep 23, 2019
The National Interest
There are several key reasons why current U.S. policy toward China may not help advance America's competitiveness or enlist much support abroad. Most notably, the administration has yet to explain what it ultimately hopes to accomplish.
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Arctic Region
commentary
Engaging with Greenland
Scott Stephenson
Sep 23, 2019
The RAND Blog
Greenland's resources and geographic position would confer economic and strategic value to the United States. But its postcolonial history and unique governance regime complicate the prospect of direct ownership.
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China
commentary
Beyond Hawks and Doves: A Better Way to Debate U.S.–China Policy
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Sep 20, 2019
China File
The best long-term outcome for U.S.–China relations may be one in which inexorably intensifying competition coexists with occasionally fruitful cooperation. It is not the most inspiring result, to be sure, but it is preferable to unconstrained antagonism.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
South Korea–Japan Tensions Complicate U.S. Efforts to Leverage Allies in Competition with China
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Sep 17, 2019
Institut Montaigne
The rapid deterioration of ties between South Korea and Japan not only undercuts America's Indo-Pacific strategy, it also increases the risks to U.S. allies and partners in the region. Just how consequential is the growing South Korea–Japan tension for U.S. strategy and what is Washington doing to address the issue?
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Democracy
commentary
African Dictators Have Been Losing Power—Some to Democratic Governments. Militaries Can Tip the Scales Toward Democracy
Nathaniel Allen, Alexander H. Noyes @alexhnoyes
Sep 16, 2019
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
Africa's security forces most often make headlines when they commit atrocities, crack down on protesters, or seize power in coups. But Africa's troops can also contribute to democracy and peace when they lay down their arms or refuse orders to turn their guns against the people.
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Israel
commentary
Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
Israel has a right to defend itself from Iranian threats to its country. American leaders should consider balancing support for Israel's efforts to counter Iran with firm redlines about activities negatively impacting American interests.
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