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International Affairs

Pakistan
commentary
New Pakistan, Old Challenges
Rafiq Dossani, Jalal Awan
Oct 17, 2018
The National Interest
While the United States has been voicing concerns about the destabilizing potential of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan needs the economic stability that initiative could bring. As long as Pakistan remains a poor country, its democracy will be at risk.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
Partner Capacity-Building's Next Phase—Embracing Civil Works?
James Schear
Oct 16, 2018
RealClearDefense
The way ahead for civil works capacity-building is not without its challenges. But in places that are plagued by extremist violence and irregular warfare, fostering civil society's trust and confidence isn't just an added benefit. It could instead be a targeted outcome.
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Iran
commentary
America's Indefinite Endgame in Syria
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Oct 16, 2018
The Atlantic
The Trump administration's position on the Syrian civil war has shifted from countering ISIS to containing Iran. America will remain in Syria as long as Iran does. But an unending timetable for the withdrawal of troops is far more problematic for Washington than it is for Tehran.
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Indonesia
commentary
Assessing Recent Developments in Indonesian Maritime Security
Lyle J. Morris @LyleJMorris
Oct 12, 2018
Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Despite a daunting set of maritime challenges, Indonesia has placed renewed emphasis on maritime security governance. While the programs in place may take decades to bear fruit, Indonesia is on the path to securing the waterways and infrastructure so key to its overall economic development.
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Politics and Government
commentary
We Asked the British Public What Kind of Brexit They Want—and a Norway-Like Deal Is the Clear Winner
Charlene Rohr, David Howarth, Jonathan Grant
Oct 11, 2018
The Conversation
The Brexit referendum outcome reveals very little about what people actually wanted. But a RAND Europe study of what people value about the EU finds that their priorities map most squarely onto a Norway-style model for future relations between the UK and the EU.
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Nuclear Disarmament
commentary
North Korean Actions Speak Louder Than Its Words
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Oct 11, 2018
Newsweek
Kim Jong Un has regularly promised to denuclearize, but he's been all talk. And this year, North Korea has probably built five to nine more nuclear weapons. There are steps that could make a difference if taken before the North Korean nuclear weapon threat grows any further.
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China
commentary
What Does China's Pursuit of a Global Coalition Mean for World Politics?
Timothy R. Heath
Oct 8, 2018
Pacific Forum
As disputes between Beijing and Washington over trade and other issues intensify, analysts have highlighted domestic factors as reasons why President Xi Jinping may resist compromise. However, China's pursuit of a greater international leadership role likely plays an overlooked, but increasingly important role.
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Educational Equity
commentary
Making Education a Reality for All Children in Europe
Barbara Janta, Milda Butkute
Oct 4, 2018
E!Sharp
Access to education is a fundamental children's right in the EU and is guaranteed under a variety of legal and policy frameworks. Despite many approaches and initiatives adopted across the EU, a number of challenges remain concerning the development of effective long-term education measures for migrant children.
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Russia
commentary
Russia's Neighbors Want Alternatives
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Oct 4, 2018
The National Interest
The longer Russia delays in improving relations with its neighbors, the more likely they will pursue alternative options. It is also likely that tensions will persist between those neighbors and Russia—and in Russia's relationship with the West. Efforts to ease that tension should be high on the list of Western priorities with Russia.
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Afghanistan
commentary
The Risks of Permanent War
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Sep 28, 2018
Just Security
Why are we in Afghanistan? What interests justify our sacrifices? How will the war end? If the U.S. finds it challenging to answer such questions after nearly two decades, the coming years are unlikely to provide clarity. If a campaign has no end, it can have no objective; if it has no objective, it cannot be won.
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International Economic Relations
commentary
The Implications of U.S.-China Trade Tensions for Japan
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Sep 18, 2018
Kyodo News
Washington and Beijing seem prepared to begin decoupling from one another economically, which puts Tokyo in a difficult position. Japan may have to devise new strategies not only for sustaining its growth, but also for insulating itself from the impact of deteriorating relations between the United States and China.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Can U.S. Pressure Lead to a New Iran Nuclear Deal?
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Eric Brewer
Sep 18, 2018
Foreign Policy
It could be a mistake for the United States to assume that more pressure will bring Iran closer to ending or reducing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. When it comes to measures aimed at Iran's nuclear program, more pressure could worsen nuclear risks and further drive a wedge between the United States and its European allies.
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Joint Operations
commentary
Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties
Timothy R. Heath
Sep 11, 2018
World Politics Review
The appearance of military cooperation between China and Russia masks deep strategic distrust and suspicion. But despite these real limitations, strong incentives and a lack of alternatives provide a sturdy foundation for a continued strategic partnership going forward.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Reforming Security Assistance: Why the State Department Can't Lead from Behind
Michael J. McNerney, Jennifer D. P. Moroney @jdpmoroney
Sep 5, 2018
The Hill
The reforms in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act are driving the Department of Defense to improve security cooperation planning. Similar reforms for the State Department could help leaders there more effectively communicate the value of security assistance and maintain their traditional leadership role.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Taking Stock of a Shifting World Order
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Aug 31, 2018
Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte
The postwar order seems poised to continue eroding, without a clear alternative in the offing. It has often taken cataclysmic events to inaugurate new eras of geopolitical order, but one hopes that the postwar order will instead be reinvigorated through farsighted statecraft.
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Politics and Government
commentary
McCain's Heroism
Phillip Carter @Carter_PE
Aug 27, 2018
Slate
John McCain's heroism will forever punctuate America's memory of the Vietnam War, reminding us both of the horrors of war and the human potential to transcend them. His heroism also stands out because of how it empowered him as a congressman and senator to do things others could not.
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112

International Affairs

New Pakistan, Old Challenges

Partner Capacity-Building's Next Phase—Embracing Civil Works?

America's Indefinite Endgame in Syria

Assessing Recent Developments in Indonesian Maritime Security

We Asked the British Public What Kind of Brexit They Want—and a Norway-Like Deal Is the Clear Winner

North Korean Actions Speak Louder Than Its Words

What Does China's Pursuit of a Global Coalition Mean for World Politics?

Making Education a Reality for All Children in Europe

Russia's Neighbors Want Alternatives

The Risks of Permanent War

The Implications of U.S.-China Trade Tensions for Japan

Can U.S. Pressure Lead to a New Iran Nuclear Deal?

Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties

Reforming Security Assistance: Why the State Department Can't Lead from Behind

Taking Stock of a Shifting World Order

McCain's Heroism

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