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International Affairs

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
commentary
NATO Needs a European Level of Ambition
Hans Binnendijk, Gene Germanovich
Dec 10, 2018
Defense News
As NATO finalizes its new political guidance designed to shape future military forces, it has the chance to both strengthen Europe’s commitment to burden-sharing and relieve American concern about the creation of a new European Army. Building an enhanced European capacity within NATO entails some risk, but the benefits may outweigh concerns.
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Russia
commentary
No Russian Let-Up on Ukraine
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Bradley Martin
Dec 7, 2018
Fox News Channel
Moscow's seizure of Crimea and war in eastern Ukraine have led the West to sanction Russians and expand aid to Ukraine, and NATO to shift land and air forces eastward. Expanded Russian coercion may draw more NATO naval power closer to Russia’s shores and lead to tougher sanctions.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Sino-Japan Rapprochement Will Likely Fail
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Dec 7, 2018
Debating Japan (CSIS)
Recent meetings and otherwise relative calm between China and Japan may give the impression that their ties are improving. But because of their strategic competition and fundamental differences, it is more likely than not that their current rapprochement will fail.
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Displaced Persons
commentary
Europe's Five Strategies for Coping with Migration Pressure
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Charles P. Ries @charles_ries
Dec 3, 2018
The National Interest
Migration will likely continue to be a long-term challenge for European politics, institutions, governments, and values. Even with a drop in numbers and the development of institutional capabilities to manage migration, the European Union still has important tasks ahead of it.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Congress Can Save Arms Control
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Greg Thielmann
Nov 27, 2018
The Hill
The Trump administration is seeking agreements with North Korea and Iran to eliminate their nuclear arms potential. Success may hinge on cooperation between the White House and Congress.
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North Korea
commentary
Why North Korea Sanctions Relief Is Inappropriate at This Time
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Nov 26, 2018
NK News
In early 2018, Kim Jong Un signaled that he was ready to negotiate abandoning North Korea's nuclear weapons with the United States. But since then, Pyongyang hasn't taken steps to denuclearize. The DPRK's actions speak louder than its words.
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North Korea
commentary
How America Can Test North Korea's True Intentions
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Nov 26, 2018
The National Interest
While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suggested he may be prepared to abandon his nuclear ambitions, there has been no proof that he is serious. The United States could take steps to discover Kim's true intentions.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Effective Responses to Russian Misbehavior
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Nov 20, 2018
The Moscow Times
Sanctions on Russians can be a powerful and effective tool, but in some cases there is a risk of spillover damage to other United States interests. It is worth considering whether America's interests may be best served by ensuring that penalties applied to Russia for misbehavior hit home against those responsible for it.
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China
commentary
U.S.-China Relations See Potential Thaw, but Risk of Military Crisis Remains
Timothy R. Heath
Nov 20, 2018
Newsweek
Deep disagreements between China and the United States on an array of issues, exacerbated by political incentives to avoid compromise, raise a persistent risk of military crisis. Stepping up official communication, building mechanisms to manage crises, and dialing back antagonistic behavior could help cut the risk of miscalculation and help stabilize ties.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Could America Use Its Leverage to Alter the Saudis' Behavior?
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Becca Wasser @Becca_Wasser
Nov 15, 2018
Newsweek
As the Saudis' chief political and military partner and the undisputed security guarantor in the Middle East, the United States has considerable influence it can wield over Saudi decisionmaking. The Trump administration could consider using its influence to encourage Saudi leadership to moderate its assertive and damaging policies abroad.
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Politics and Government
commentary
What Does America's Political Polarization Mean for Competition with China?
Timothy R. Heath
Nov 9, 2018
The Hill
Political polarization in the United States potentially carries significant implications for America's strategic competition with China. Leaders in Washington will need to work to mitigate the effects of polarization and manage competition with China in a stable, effective manner.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
Is Major Realignment Taking Place in the Middle East?
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Oct 31, 2018
Foreign Affairs
The shifting alignments in the Middle East have intensified since the murder of the Saudi journalist Khashoggi in Istanbul. Turkey has drifted away from NATO and toward Iran and Russia. Like Tehran and Moscow, Ankara is now more anti-Western than at any point in recent memory. What does this mean for the United States?
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Germany
commentary
Merkel's Departure: A Star Begins to Dim
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Oct 31, 2018
The Hill
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to not seek re-election may signal an end to two key features of post-WWII Europe.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Japan's Chance to Shine?
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Oct 30, 2018
Foreign Policy
Japan may never be a global leader in a way comparable to the United States. But Tokyo does have the power to provide critical leadership that will sustain key elements of the crumbling international order.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
Cameroon's Days as Reliable U.S. Partner May Be Numbered
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Oct 26, 2018
United Press International
The Cameroonian government is becoming more authoritarian under President Paul Biya. His re-election could be bad news for Cameroon and the region, but also for the United States.
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Saudi Arabia
commentary
The Khashoggi Case and the Cost of Subcontracting U.S. Policy
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Oct 23, 2018
The Hill
Following the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the United States needs to, at minimum, return toward a distinctly American policy toward the Middle East, one which can be distinguished from that of its local partners.
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