Russia and China Sidelining the U.S. in the Arctic

Xue Long Chinese icebreaker. Photo Credit: United States Naval Institute By: Ashley Postler, Columnist As one of eight circumpolar states, the U.S. has much at stake in a rapidly warming Arctic, but remains behind the curve in developing and protecting its regional territory. In contrast, Russia and China have found overlapping and complementary national interests … Continue reading Russia and China Sidelining the U.S. in the Arctic

Building Democracies for the 21st Century: Confronting the China Model with Robust Institutions

By: Kevin Truitte, Columnist Photo Credit: AFP The United States has historically advocated its own institutional values abroad. The support of these values, namely liberal democracy, rule of law—both internally and internationally—and open capitalist markets, provided the foundation of what is today called the ‘rules-based liberal international order.’ The U.S. has supported its values on … Continue reading Building Democracies for the 21st Century: Confronting the China Model with Robust Institutions

All Silk Roads Lead to Rome

Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy visiting the Daci Temple during his meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua. Photo Credit: AFP By: Austin Parenteau, Clumnist As Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio publicized his desire for Italy to sign on as a full member of China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) global infrastructure project, … Continue reading All Silk Roads Lead to Rome

Threatening Identity: The Rising Tide of Islamic Terrorism in Indonesia and Malaysia

Indonesian Special Detachment 88, a special forces counter-terrorism unit that has been praised for working with local communities on intelligence gathering. Photo Credit: Associated Press By: Yuri Neves, Columnist Long held as examples of moderate Islamic countries and successful multicultural societies, Malaysia and Indonesia are now facing a resurgent threat from Islamic terrorism. Despite past … Continue reading Threatening Identity: The Rising Tide of Islamic Terrorism in Indonesia and Malaysia

All Under the Heavens, and More: China’s Increasing Military Presence in Africa

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, during the 2018 Beijing Summit Of The Forum On China-Africa Cooperation – Round Table Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Photo Credit: (Lintao Zhang/Pool photo via AP) By: Nick Impson, Columnist On September 3rd, Chinese … Continue reading All Under the Heavens, and More: China’s Increasing Military Presence in Africa

No Strings Attached? China’s Debt-Trap Diplomacy in Africa

30 African state leaders joined the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Photo Credit: Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa By: Ashley Jones-Quaidoo Travel to Kenya’s capital often includes a requisite visit to Nairobi National Park where tourists flock in hopes of an up close and personal encounter with zebras, giraffes, and lions. … Continue reading No Strings Attached? China’s Debt-Trap Diplomacy in Africa

A Doctrine of ‘Righteous Might’ is Dangerous for US-China Relations

National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a Federalist Society luncheon at the Mayflower Hotel, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) By Felipe Herrera, Columnist On September 10th, John Bolton delivered a speech to the Federalist Society in Washington, DC expounding on the Administration’s criticism of the International Criminal Court (ICC), … Continue reading A Doctrine of ‘Righteous Might’ is Dangerous for US-China Relations

China’s Increasing Engagement in Syrian Conflict

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo credit: AFP Introduction While China has long touted its commitment to “noninterference” and largely stayed out of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, recent developments such as the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s diplomatic support of one side in ongoing conflicts suggest that China may be rethinking this … Continue reading China’s Increasing Engagement in Syrian Conflict

Looking Back on Marawi: An Analysis of Islamic State Terrorism in the Philippines

By: Ben Schaefer, Columnist Photo credit: Jes Aznar for The New York Times On May 23, 2017 Philippine insurgents affiliated with the Islamic State captured the world’s attention when they seized the city of Marawi on the Philippines’ southern island of Mindanao.[[i]] Five months later, with little fanfare from mainstream media, Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte announced … Continue reading Looking Back on Marawi: An Analysis of Islamic State Terrorism in the Philippines

An Alternative Containment Strategy: How to Counter China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative

SINGAPORE (June 1, 2018) Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis delivers remarks during the first plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2018 June 2. The Shangri-La Dialogue, held annually by the independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is an inter-governmental security forum which is attended by defense ministers and delegates from more … Continue reading An Alternative Containment Strategy: How to Counter China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative