International Diplomacy

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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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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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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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.
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North Korea
commentary
After the Hanoi Summit
Naoko Aoki @naokoaoki
Mar 13, 2019
The National Interest
The best-case scenario for U.S.-North Korea relations is that President Trump and Kim Jong-un remain committed to diplomacy. In the worst-case scenario, both countries' frustrations could spiral out of control.
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North Korea
commentary
The Hidden Components of the North Korean Military Challenge
Michael J. Mazarr, Gian Gentile
Mar 12, 2019
The National Interest
In an era of global competition in which U.S. military resources are stretched thin, the United States should consider looking for opportunities to scale back potential overcommitment. The current inter-Korean dialogue presents such an opportunity.
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Capacity Building
commentary
Building a Capacity Framework for U.S. City Diplomacy
Jay Wang, Sohaela Amiri
Mar 11, 2019
USC Center on Public Diplomacy
As U.S. cities are home to two thirds of the population, the practice of city diplomacy has become essential for local communities to thrive in a globalized society. What are the necessary skills, capabilities, and resources required to craft an effective global engagement strategy?
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China
commentary
Managing U.S. Military-to-Military Relations with China, a Strategic Competitor in an Era of Renewed Great Power Competition
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Mar 8, 2019
ChinaFile
The United States National Security Strategy describes a return of great power rivalry with China as the leading challenger, and the National Defense Strategy prioritizes strategic competition. What are the implications for U.S.-China military-to-military relations?
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Iran
commentary
Can the U.S. Attain Foreign Policy Goals with 'Maximum Pressure' Campaigns?
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Mar 6, 2019
Foreign Policy
The Trump administration's record in two of today's most pressing nuclear nonproliferation challenges, North Korea and Iran, highlights the potential dangers of a “maximum pressure” strategy.
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International Diplomacy

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

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?

A Taiwan Diplomatic Victory Over China Could Be Inevitable

Time to Speak Up About the South China Sea

'Cost Plus 50' Explained

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

After the Hanoi Summit

The Hidden Components of the North Korean Military Challenge

Building a Capacity Framework for U.S. City Diplomacy

Managing U.S. Military-to-Military Relations with China, a Strategic Competitor in an Era of Renewed Great Power Competition

Can the U.S. Attain Foreign Policy Goals with 'Maximum Pressure' Campaigns?

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