Ideas

Crises from Europe to the Asia-Pacific Await Donald Trump

The world has reacted to Trump’s victory. Soon Trump will have to react to the world.

Ideas

Five Foreign-Policy Challenges for President-Elect Trump

America and the world are inevitably in for a rocky ride—at odds with the simple solutions espoused by politicians on the campaign trail.

Ideas

Alliances Matter. Here’s How to Persuade Trump and His Voters

An internationalist consensus can only be rebuilt if its would-be architects take seriously the popular anxieties that propelled Trump’s victory.

Ideas

Trump’s Foreign Policy Could Change the Entire International System

A scholar of U.S. foreign policy explains why the 2016 race could be the most consequential election—anywhere—since the 1930s.

Ideas

Americans Are For Smart Engagement

Polls show the public wants all options explored, including diplomacy, before military force is even considered.

Ideas

Saudi Arabia: A Kingdom Coming Undone

As Riyadh embarks on a rocky journey to economic diversification, the U.S. should offer help — but not unconditionally.

Ideas

The World Needs the American Military

It’s fiction to pretend that the most powerful nation can ever be truly “neutral” in foreign conflicts.

Policy

The US Relief Mission to Haiti Is Also a Signal to America’s Neighbors, and Russia

The leader of U.S. Southern Command hopes helpful actions speak louder than Moscow’s words.

Ideas

Geography Allows America To Choose Its Global Role. Only One Candidate is Choosing Wisely

Because of its location, America can choose whether it wants to be a gatekeeper or a global policeman.

Policy

Mike Pence Embraces Foreign Policy That GOP Voters Left Behind

By sidestepping Trump’s messages on foreign policy and trade in Tuesday’s debate, the vice-presidential nominee ignored the choices GOP voters made in their primaries.

Ideas

US Military Spending Has Declined, But It Still Dwarfs All Other Nations'

It’s easy to see why a steady decline of military spending might alarm many Americans. But a bit of perspective is in order.

Policy

Hillary Clinton Fails to Offer a Foreign-Policy Vision

At a candidate’s forum on Wednesday night, the Democratic nominee served up loads of specifics—but no positive story to weave them together.

Ideas

The Biden Doctrine

Has the vice president made a lasting contribution in foreign policy?

Ideas

The Hidden Costs of America's Addiction to Mercenaries

Washington’s reliance on unheralded private military contractors to fight its wars has mutated into a strategic vulnerability.

Ideas

In Today's Complex World, 'We Have No Idea What War Is'

Rosa Brooks discusses her tenure at the Pentagon, and the ever-expanding role of the American military.

Ideas

Military Coups Have Become Less Common, But More Successful

Coup d’etat attempts have been growing less frequent across the world, particularly since the end of the Cold War.

Policy

How Trump’s Supporters Understand His National Security Views

The Republican nominee's comments to The New York Times are likely to be received very differently by his base than by Washington's elites.

Ideas

WATCH: A Conversation with Derek Chollet

Former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs Derek Chollet discusses his new book "The Long Game" with Defense One Executive Editor Kevin Baron.

Threats

'We Are Not Frozen in a Nightmare,' Says Defiant John Kerry

The secretary of state insisted America is more engaged in global conflicts with deeper impact than ever before, in a sweeping speech at the Aspen Ideas Festival.