International Affairs

Refugees
commentary
Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Apr 19, 2019
The National Interest
Active fighting in Syria is dwindling. But Syria remains divided in a frozen conflict and empty peace, unstable and unlikely to attract the investment in reconstruction, public institutions, job creation, and local reconciliation efforts needed to motivate Syrians in large numbers to return home.
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Warfare and Military Operations
commentary
Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War
Michael J. Mazarr
Apr 19, 2019
The Wall Street Journal
The outcome of the Iraq invasion has done little to alter the factors that have led American leaders and the public into unwise military adventures. Today's big idea of America's mission is not so different from what it was in 2003. Any number of events could spark a new moral imperative to act.
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China
commentary
Book Review: 'Unrivaled' by Michael Beckley
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Apr 18, 2019
The National Interest
In Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World's Sole Superpower Michael Beckley argues not only that U.S. preeminence is safer than most contemporary commentary would have one believe, but also that it is more resilient.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
A Warming Trend in China-Russia Relations
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz, Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Apr 18, 2019
The Diplomat
The China-Russia relationship is indeed growing across military, economic, and political dimensions. But it is still more anchored in shared grievances than in common visions. Both countries contest U.S. interests, but in different ways. Washington should treat them as separate strategic challenges.
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Ukraine
commentary
Book Review: Ukraine and the Art of Strategy by Lawrence Freedman
Samuel Charap @scharap
Apr 16, 2019
Foreign Affairs
The crisis in Ukraine has proved a watershed moment for Russia's relations with the West. In Ukraine and the Art of Strategy, Lawrence Freedman presents a brief history of the conflict and analyzes it in the context of strategic theory.
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Satellite Communication
commentary
Space Safety Coordination: A Norm for All Nations
Bruce McClintock @BHMcClintock
Apr 16, 2019
Small Wars Journal
As space becomes more congested with satellites of all sizes and types, the need for every nation to actively participate in the space safety coordination system grows. Most spacefaring countries participate, but a few countries do not—notably, Russia and China. That creates greater potential for collisions and hazards from debris.
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Syria
commentary
Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Apr 15, 2019
The Hill
For American policymakers, economic sanctions are too often the soft choice between doing nothing and taking effective but risky or expensive action. Yet, before they inflict years, perhaps decades of impoverishment and worse on entire populations, they should ask if their efforts are likely to succeed and are worth punishing an entire people.
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Law of War
commentary
'Game of Thrones' Reflections on International Relations
Rebecca Jensen, Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Apr 11, 2019
The RAND Blog
As two RAND researchers join millions of others in eagerly awaiting the final season of Game of Thrones, they reflect on one of the show's central themes: rival views of the nature of power and justice.
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Iran
commentary
The U.S. Designated the Revolutionary Guards as a Terrorist Group. What Happens Next?
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Apr 11, 2019
Foreign Policy
The U.S. designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization was meant to serve America's interests by isolating Iran. Instead, it may increase the likelihood of a tit-for-tat escalation that will require significant resources to avoid a broader regional conflagration.
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Syria
commentary
The Syrian Civil War Is Coming to an End
Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Apr 8, 2019
Newsweek
Coalition forces have driven ISIS from its final patch of territory in Syria. But the bigger challenge will be ending the ongoing civil war and rebuilding Syria to bring home millions of refugees and internally displaced people. This means creating a state that can provide safety, security, and opportunity that forestalls further rebellion and devastation.
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Libya
commentary
Is an Escalation Imminent in Western Libya?
Nathan Vest
Mar 27, 2019
RealClearWorld
The Libyan Civil War has largely been contained to pockets of violence. Prolonged battles decimated cities such as Benghazi, Derna, and Sirte, but the majority of the country has been spared large-scale destruction. However, that could change soon.
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Taiwan
commentary
A Taiwan Diplomatic Victory Over China Could Be Inevitable
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Mar 21, 2019
The National Interest
It is likely that Taipei will lose diplomatic allies unless a cross-Strait agreement is reached on the 1992 Consensus. But it is perhaps equally inevitable that Taiwan will convince at least one or more states to recognize Taiwan over China. Such a development would help counter the narrative that Taiwan sovereignty is doomed.
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China
commentary
Time to Speak Up About the South China Sea
Lyle J. Morris @LyleJMorris
Mar 20, 2019
East Asia Forum
Some leaders in Southeast Asia may fear that new or enhanced postures in the South China Sea could antagonize China. But directly calling out China's breaks from the status quo or intimidation tactics may not necessarily put these countries at risk of Chinese countermeasures.
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United Kingdom
commentary
Life After Brexit Need Not Be a Disaster for the UK
Christopher M. Schnaubelt, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Mar 18, 2019
The Hill
Leaving the European Union without a deal will be costly for Britain. But there are actions that could be taken now to help improve the economic prospects of a fully independent UK.
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Military Facilities
commentary
'Cost Plus 50' Explained
Stacie L. Pettyjohn @StaciePettyjohn
Mar 15, 2019
The Washington Post
The Trump administration may be considering requiring host nations to subsidize the entire cost of the U.S. military presence and pay an additional 50 percent of that amount. This type of transactional foreign policy increases the risk that countries will rethink their agreements to host U.S. forces, and that could reduce the U.S. military's ability to operate globally.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Where Do U.S.-North Korea Relations Go in the Aftermath of the Hanoi Summit?
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Mar 13, 2019
The National Interest
If Kim Jong-un is sincere about denuclearization, it is time for him to match his words with actions. If North Korea's nuclearization continues, the U.S. government may eventually face some pressure to take military action to stop it.
Read More »

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117

Ways the United States Could Overextend and Unbalance Russia

Human Smuggling Operations from Central America to the United States

Childhood Trauma Is More Common Than You Think. This School-Based Intervention Can Help

Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon

The United States and Europe Since World War II: A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

The Policy Currents Podcast

Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive

Impact Dashboard Helps Local Regulatory Services Deliver Value

Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

International Affairs

Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon

Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War

Book Review: 'Unrivaled' by Michael Beckley

A Warming Trend in China-Russia Relations

Book Review: Ukraine and the Art of Strategy by Lawrence Freedman

Space Safety Coordination: A Norm for All Nations

Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous

'Game of Thrones' Reflections on International Relations

The U.S. Designated the Revolutionary Guards as a Terrorist Group. What Happens Next?

The Syrian Civil War Is Coming to an End

Is an Escalation Imminent in Western Libya?

A Taiwan Diplomatic Victory Over China Could Be Inevitable

Time to Speak Up About the South China Sea

Life After Brexit Need Not Be a Disaster for the UK

'Cost Plus 50' Explained

Where Do U.S.-North Korea Relations Go in the Aftermath of the Hanoi Summit?

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