By: Trisha Ray, Columnist Photo Credit: MintPress News On April 11, President Trump, in response to North Korean announcements of an impending nuclear test, announced that he was sending an ‘armada’ to Korean shores. By April 19, the armada had yet to arrive, triggering criticism in South Korea of Trump’s empty statements. The Trump administration’s diplomatic … Continue reading The Missing Armada and the Fate of US-ROK Relations
Venezuela’s Arsenal: A Ticking Time Bomb
By: Patrick Savage, Columnist Photo Credit: Juan Barreto, AFP (via CNN.com) As political and economic chaos continues to mount in Venezuela, worry has grown in the international community over the possibility of the total collapse of the country—a failed state scenario. If Venezuela were to enter a state of chaos similar to that of Somalia … Continue reading Venezuela’s Arsenal: A Ticking Time Bomb
Turkey’s Referendum Affects the Fight Against ISIS
By: Yasmin Faruki, Columnist Photo Credit: CNN.com On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in a sweeping constitutional referendum that transformed the government’s parliamentary system into a presidential one. The changes are a welcome victory for Erdogan, who just survived a military-led coup last July.[i] Though 51% of the population voted in favor … Continue reading Turkey’s Referendum Affects the Fight Against ISIS
With Elections Near, Putin Can’t Afford to Double Down on Syria
By: Sam Skove, Columnist Photo Credit: Viktoria Odissonova/Novaya Gazetta The United States’ increasing focus on Syria poses a hard policy problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he readies for important March 2018 Presidential Elections in Russia. If the United States raises pressure on the Assad regime and Russia does nothing, Putin will lose face internationally. … Continue reading With Elections Near, Putin Can’t Afford to Double Down on Syria
A Misguided Military Escalation in Yemen
By: Nate Subramanian, Columnist Photo Credit: Newsweek This past month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly asked the Trump administration to lift Obama-era restrictions on direct military support for the Saudi-led coalition that has been battling Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015. While the United States has provided intelligence, targeting, planning, arms, and logistical support … Continue reading A Misguided Military Escalation in Yemen
Pakistan’s Militancy Conundrum
By: Nicole Magney, Columnist Photo Credit: Dawn News The Pakistani state’s relationship with terrorism is convoluted and, ultimately, self-defeating. Militant groups that are viewed by elements of the Pakistani government as aligning with state interests, like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Haqqani Network, are offered complicity or support, while other groups are condemned and targeted, like … Continue reading Pakistan’s Militancy Conundrum
Turning a Blind Eye to Chemical Weapons: Will Anyone Investigate What Happened in Darfur?
By: Farnaz Alimehri, Columnist Photo Credit: Amnesty International In the past decade, there has been a disturbing increase in the use of chemical weapons by states and non-state actors alike. While the international community and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have been prompt to act and condemn the use of chemical weapons … Continue reading Turning a Blind Eye to Chemical Weapons: Will Anyone Investigate What Happened in Darfur?
The Case for Preventive Arms Control
By: Paul Kumst, Columnist Photo Credit: United Nations In 1995, the United Nations (UN) adopted Protocol IV of the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) to prohibit the deployment of permanently blinding laser weapons. What makes this protocol unique is its preventive character. Despite their availability to some military forces, no such weapons had … Continue reading The Case for Preventive Arms Control
By, With, and Through: Securing US National Interests in Africa
By: Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo Credit: Author, Northern Mali (2011) President Donald Trump’s recently released annual budget request, characterized as a “hard power” budget, emphasizes military spending over diplomatic and developmental aid.[i] As such, there is a perceived risk that the United States’ new foreign policy will de-prioritize our engagement with Africa, which accounts for … Continue reading By, With, and Through: Securing US National Interests in Africa
A Compelling Case for American Leadership
By: Andrew Johnian, Reporter Photo Credit: New Eastern Outlook The United States has championed an active role in international affairs over the past century, placing itself in the forefront of global security. From its commitment to fight imperialism, fascism, and communism in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, to its rejection … Continue reading A Compelling Case for American Leadership