The Utility of Offensive Nuclear Weapons in the Modern Era

By: Mark Bhaskar, Columnist Photo Credit: MinutemanMissile.com Discussing the potential, or even necessary, use of nuclear weapons by the United States in any reputable forum usually invites near-universal condemnation. Such a strong reaction proves that the “nuclear taboo,” best described in Nina Tannenwald’s 1999 essay, is alive and well. As per this taboo, using nuclear … Continue reading The Utility of Offensive Nuclear Weapons in the Modern Era

Tackling Homegrown Terrorism in China

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo Credit: AFP, via BBC Introduction In 2002, China first recognized its domestic terrorist threat from ethnic Uighur extremists in the northwest Xinjiang province. Since then, “terrorism” has been considered one of the “three evils”: terrorism, extremism, and separatism. Although it is difficult to quantify exactly how many Uighur terrorist attacks … Continue reading Tackling Homegrown Terrorism in China

Marawi: Just the Beginning

By: Mei S. Lim, Columnist Photo Credit: Stars and Stripes In May this year, Islamic State (ISIS)-linked militants seized the city of Marawi on the Southern Philippines island of Mindanao. The move, coupled with ISIS’ announcement that militants should set up a wilayah, or province, in Southeast Asia, sparked fears in the region that the … Continue reading Marawi: Just the Beginning

Chinese Global Governance Leadership is Only a Win-Win for China

By: Theresa Lou, Columnist Photo Credit: Asia News Held from October 14-24, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 19th Party Congress solidified President Xi Jinping’s leadership and set the party’s priorities and goals for the next five years. During his three-hour speech,[i] Xi waxed poetic about China’s great national rejuvenation, which he mentioned 27 times,[ii] and … Continue reading Chinese Global Governance Leadership is Only a Win-Win for China

Assessing US Credibility in the Trump Era

By: Stephanie Pillion, Columnist Photo Credit: BBC Within the first seven months of his term in office, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from three critical international agreements: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Paris Climate Accord, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The TPP, Paris Climate Accord, and JCPOA are all multilateral … Continue reading Assessing US Credibility in the Trump Era

China’s Evolving Cybersecurity Strategy

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo Credit: Cyberwar News After the Communist Party of China’s 19th Party Congress concludes this week, only 17% of the original military leadership is expected to remain in power—the most extensive military reshuffle since Mao Zedong.[i] Much of this reshuffle and recent Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) modernization focuses on transitioning … Continue reading China’s Evolving Cybersecurity Strategy

Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness

By: Benedikt Meng, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: US Army Gone are the days of the post-Cold War ‘American Hyperpower’ which dominated global economic and strategic security in a world of relatively stable nuclear security. While the Cold War world presented an uneasy nuclear balance resting on the actions of two superpowers, today’s nuclear environment is … Continue reading Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness

Japan’s “Remilitarization”: More Baby Steps

By: Mei Lim, Columnist Photo Credit: Christian Science Monitor Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan has pushed to increase its defense capabilities. However, progress will remain piecemeal until Japanese society moves away from their extreme pacifist position. Abe, a well-known conservative, faced a mixed response when he became prime minister in end-2012. China and South … Continue reading Japan’s “Remilitarization”: More Baby Steps

There’s a Perfectly Good Alternative to War with North Korea

By: Evan Cooper, Columnist Photo Credit: Voice of America News With North Korea armed with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that can strike major US cities, concern of nuclear conflict permeates the American populace as the standoff threatens to boil over into war.[i] The situation is being compared with the Cuban Missile Crisis, and for good … Continue reading There’s a Perfectly Good Alternative to War with North Korea

Matching Means and Ends in North Korea

By: Theresa Lou, Columnist Photo Credit: Reuters The United States has insisted for decades that it will not accept a nuclear North Korea. But this position is becoming increasingly untenable given increasing evidence that Pyongyang has developed a nuclear capability. Between July and September 2017, the Hermit Kingdom conducted multiple successful missile launches and its … Continue reading Matching Means and Ends in North Korea