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International Diplomacy

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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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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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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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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