Ideas
US Diplomatic Vacancies Are Straining Alliances
Almost half the top jobs in the State Department are empty. In 18 countries, the White House has yet to designate a U.S. ambassador. That includes Australia, a close ally to America that is beginning to look to China instead.
Policy
Here’s How Iran Will Try to Evade US Sanctions
U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic’s oil industry have gone into effect. Tehran is already turning to some old tricks.
Ideas
Trump Needs Help Picking Between His Contradictory Foreign-Policy Desires
Unfortunately, not even a 21st-century version of Eisenhower’s Solarium planning exercise is likely to help.
Ideas
In a Post-Khashoggi World, Impunity Will Reign
The ugly geopolitics in the wake of the Saudi journalist’s death point to a new era of impunity.
Ideas
Time to Rethink the Price of Partnering With Dictators
Dissidents need to know the U.S. stands with them, also.
Threats
How Realistic Fake Video Threatens Democracies
Governments must use technology, education, and public policy to meet this new, dangerous form of disinformation.
Policy
Khashoggi Situation Won’t Stop Saudi Arms Sales, But Could Slow Them
When it comes to blocking U.S. arms sales to foreign countries, Congress has a mixed track record.
Ideas
The War in Afghanistan is Bad Politics and Bad Foreign Policy
President Trump should keep his campaign promise to bring American forces home.
Ideas
Trump's 'Maximum-Pressure' Strategy for North Korea and Iran Will Fail
The combined might of punishing sanctions, diplomatic isolation, or even the threat of war won’t compel surrender from North Korea and Iran.
Ideas
The World According to Trump
At the end of a contentious visit to the United Nations, the American president delivered a globe-spanning seminar on his worldview.
Policy
A Solitary and Defiant Message to the UN In Trump’s Second Speech
“We reject the ideology of globalism. And we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump told world leaders.
Ideas
America Needs a Non-Unipolar Foreign Policy
Trump’s election should remind Congress and policymakers that the U.S. cannot do it all.
Policy
US Launches Farsi Information Service to Reach Iranians
It’s the first new enterprise by the newly renamed U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Ideas
Cognitive Science Helps Explain How We Blunder Into War
A new book explores how common flaws in human reasoning drew the U.S. into Vietnam — and how tomorrow’s leaders can avoid them.
Ideas
The Secret to Effective Foreign Aid? Sometimes, It’s Giving Cash
For the first time, USAID compared a traditional intervention to a simple cash transfer.
Ideas
What Next for US-India Military Ties?
A new agreement between top U.S. and Indian officials will deepen military cooperation and bolster strategic ties between the two countries.
Threats
Putin Makes a Move for Peace Through Force
Russia is involved in many of the world’s greatest crises—but there are signs public support for overseas ventures is waning.
Ideas
How US and European Aims Overlap in the Middle East
Although deep disconnects plague transatlantic cooperation, the two sides still share a common interest in stabilizing this volatile region.
Ideas
What It Would Take for Iran to Talk to Trump
It may not seem like it, but Tehran has a lot to gain from meeting with a U.S. president in search of his own nuclear deal.
Ideas
The Marshall Plan That Failed
Before George Marshall transformed American foreign policy in Europe, he lost a major political fight in China.
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