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
Donald Trump Is the First Demagogue of the Terrorism-and-Climate Change Era
Here’s why he won't be the last.
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 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.
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