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International Diplomacy

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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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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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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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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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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Globalization
commentary
The Global Order Will Outlast U.S. Leadership
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Aug 23, 2018
The Wall Street Journal
Even if America bails on the international order there is plenty of evidence that Europe, China, Japan, and the rest of the developed world will maintain existing multilateral structures and build new ones. The order will survive but may become less liberal, less democratic, and perhaps less peaceful.
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Russia
commentary
Walking a Fine Line on Russian Sanctions
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 22, 2018
Reuters
The United States and its allies are increasingly frustrated over malign activities by Russia. This week the U.S. unveiled new sanctions, and is expected to impose even more in the future. But choosing sanctions requires care. Their purpose should be to penalize Russia for misbehavior, but not to isolate Russians.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
A U.S.-Russia Partnership Against China Is Unlikely
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Aug 21, 2018
Lowy Institute
After Donald Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July, it might appear as if the U.S. and Russia are considering the formation of a partnership against China. But Russia seems more likely to try to expand the scope of its cooperation with China while also attempting to extract concessions from the United States.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
The Roots—and Purpose—of the Post-War Order
Michael J. Mazarr
Aug 7, 2018
Foreign Affairs
As the world enters an era of greater international competition, U.S. policymakers should take care not to underestimate the importance of the postwar system. The order is far from a myth; it is the United States' most important competitive advantage.
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China
commentary
Navigating Asia's Stormy Seas: Regional Perspectives on U.S.-China Competition
Michael S. Chase, Mara Karlin
Aug 7, 2018
The Diplomat
Many of the key advantages the United States enjoys in a strategic competition with China depend on strong relationships with U.S. allies and partners. Beijing will certainly do its utmost to take advantage of any opportunities presented by concerns about the strength and sustainability of the U.S. role in the region.
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Iran
commentary
Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help the U.S.?
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Aug 7, 2018
The Hill
What happens if leaving the Iran nuclear deal and applying “maximum pressure” doesn't lead Iran to change its behavior or the regime to collapse? The Trump administration may find that it's much easier to break a deal than to replace it with something better.
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International Diplomacy

New Pakistan, Old Challenges

America's Indefinite Endgame in Syria

North Korean Actions Speak Louder Than Its Words

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

Russia's Neighbors Want Alternatives

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

The Global Order Will Outlast U.S. Leadership

Walking a Fine Line on Russian Sanctions

A U.S.-Russia Partnership Against China Is Unlikely

The Roots—and Purpose—of the Post-War Order

Navigating Asia's Stormy Seas: Regional Perspectives on U.S.-China Competition

Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help the U.S.?

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