Putin and Erdogan inspect Turkish troops in Ankara. Photo Credit: The Kremlin. In the Erdogan-Putin era of great power chauvinism, geopolitical ambitions run rampant. The ambiguous Russo-Turkish alliance, however, sits on shaky ground. Moscow and Ankara were rivals for years in the Syrian conflict, openly providing support to opposing sides. But the countries are now … Continue reading The Russo-Turkish Alliance: With Friends Like These…
Category: Regions
Everyone Loses From the Current Rise in Protectionism
A port in Lianyungang in China’s eastern Jiangsu Province. Photo Credit: Getty Images. One of the most significant features of the Trump presidency is the global rise of economic nationalism. Once deeply embedded beliefs in the virtues of international trade and free trade agreements are now shattered, as more and more countries resort to protectionism, … Continue reading Everyone Loses From the Current Rise in Protectionism
The Arctic Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Krauss prepares to videotape visitors to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) in the Arctic Ocean on March 17, 2007. Alexandria is taking part in exercise ICEX 07 with the Royal Navy submarine HMS Tireless (SS 88) and the applied physics ice station. The exercise is … Continue reading The Arctic Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
The Return of the Russian Hooligans: Expect Violence at Euro 2020
Russian fans attack an England supporter at the Euro 2016 match between the two countries. Photo Credit: Thanassis Stavrakis/AP. In 1945, George Orwell described sport as “war minus the shooting.”[i] Certainly, that must have been how it appeared on June 11, 2016, in Marseille, France. As their teams were about to play, fans of the … Continue reading The Return of the Russian Hooligans: Expect Violence at Euro 2020
Optics Matter: Strengthening Defense Cooperation to Counter Russia in the Black Sea
Officials from the U.S. and Poland with Battle Group Poland April, 2017. Battle Group Poland includes soldiers from the United States, United Kingdom, Romania and Poland as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence. Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Charlene Moler (U.S. Army). Defense cooperation between NATO and its Georgian and Ukrainian partners in the Black Sea … Continue reading Optics Matter: Strengthening Defense Cooperation to Counter Russia in the Black Sea
Instability in Gaza: Assessing Hamas’s Grip on Power
A Hamas election rally. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons. In late August, the Gaza Strip was rocked by a pair of suicide bombings that killed three police officers and injured multiple civilians.[i] Overt challenges to Hamas’s supremacy are rare, but they are not without precedent. Hamas was the victim of targeted explosions in 2015 and 2017, … Continue reading Instability in Gaza: Assessing Hamas’s Grip on Power
US-Houthi Collaboration Can Defeat AQAP and ISIS in Yemen
Houthis protest against Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in September 2015. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Henry Ridgwell. In September 2019, the United States held direct negotiations with Houthi rebels for the first time in four years. The United States should continue to negotiate with the Houthis to influence them toward combating two mutual enemies: AQAP and ISIS … Continue reading US-Houthi Collaboration Can Defeat AQAP and ISIS in Yemen
Despite its Economic Impact, The Maximum Pressure Campaign Is Not Successful
An Iranian woman holds her national flag as she walks past the former US Embassy in Tehran. Behrouz Mehri /Getty Images. Four years since Washington and Tehran signed the JCPOA agreement, diplomatic efforts have given way to renewed hostilities and brinksmanship between the two sides. The maximum pressure campaign, the Trump administration’s replacement to the JCPOA, … Continue reading Despite its Economic Impact, The Maximum Pressure Campaign Is Not Successful
Instability & Opportunity: The Potential for an ISIS Comeback in Iraq
ISIS militants. Photo Credit: AP While the territorial caliphate in Iraq has collapsed, ongoing issues within the country and recent protests provide opportunities that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could exploit to re-gain some power. Continuing instability and insecurity in Iraq has allowed the group to target local leaders and intimidate civilians. … Continue reading Instability & Opportunity: The Potential for an ISIS Comeback in Iraq
Bringing NATO Into the Fold: A Dilemma for Arctic Security
The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima passes under the northern lights during exercise Trident Juncture 2018 in the Norwegian Sea, Oct. 26, 2018. The NATO-led exercise is designed to increase interoperability among nations. Photo Credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Leitner/US Navy. When many people consider the Arctic, they think not only of its … Continue reading Bringing NATO Into the Fold: A Dilemma for Arctic Security