Russia and North Korea Form an Alliance of Pariahs
President Vladimir Putin has just met with a man who is even more widely despised than himself, North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
A Tale of Good Intentions and Unexpected Consequences
The imperial collapse was an unintended consequence of Gorbachev's desire to humanize socialism and save the USSR. He utterly failed in both tasks, but Russia and other Soviet republics were liberated from the Communist nightmare, and the world gained 30 years of relative peace, which is now coming to an end.
The Roots of Putin's Strategic Fiasco in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has single-handedly expanded NATO, to include Finland and Sweden, incentivized European cohesion, re-militarized Germany, destroyed the Russian economy, pushed Russia further into China's steel grip and most importantly, reinvigorated the Western democratic order after three decade of malaise.
To Defeat Putin's Totalitarianism, Work With Russians
Putin has consolidated his turn to totalitarianism, sending his country back into the mid-1980s.
Russia's Threats, Energy Crisis Put Ukraine on The Brink
Russia is escalating pressure on Ukraine, threatening to drag the U.S. and NATO into their worst confrontation with Moscow since the Cold War.
After Pandora Papers, U.S. Can Help Bring European Corruption Under Control
In Eastern and Central Europe, corruption softens politicians' stance towards Moscow, unravels the social fabric and causes voters to opt for political extremes.
The Cost of Betrayal in Afghanistan
Prematurely exiting Afghanistan has far-reaching implications, and will cause friends and foes alike to question America's foreign policy commitments.
Meeting Putin: Biden's Historic Challenge
When Joe Biden confronts the strongman of Russia on June 16th, the global balance of power will be at stake.
What Iron Dome can Teach America's Missile Defense
The images of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system deployed against thousands of Hamas rockets fired from Gaza made clear that effective missile defense is a matter of life and death.
After Impeachment, can America Stand up to its Global Rivals?
China will remain the principal challenger to America's status in the world during the Biden term and for decades beyond, with Russia a close second.
The Qatar—Saudi Agreement at First Glance: Everybody Wins
The Qatar-Saudi deal is a huge step in the right direction. If managed properly, will make it easier for the U.S. to do the big things without distraction.
Armenia Caved, Azerbaijan Won, Putin Scored
Azerbaijan emerged as the undisputed victor of the war, but Putin picked up some important gains as well—along with some painful lessons.
Trust, Not Repression is Safest Path for Any Government to Survive COVID
If governments expect to maintain order, they need to be forward-thinking in their responses to COVID-stricken economies.
The U.S. Can't Afford to Drop the Ball on Peace in Afghanistan
The coronavirus epidemic has created the temptation to forgo the complicated peace process and to simply withdraw our troops. This is the very last thing America should be doing.
Both Republican and Democratic Presidents Failed to Prepare for COVID-19
Like in Pearl Harbor and 9/11, the writing was on the wall. We need to reform and reconfigure the global and national public health systems to prevent this from reoccurring.
Can the American-European Alliance Survive?
Washington is committed to Europe's security—for now.
Time for Europe and U.S. To Face China's Global Threat—Together
Americans will need to learn to respect their allies' national interests. Europeans need to understand Beijing's drive for leadership in pharmaceuticals, aerospace, IT and robotics can lead to their industrial and economic demise.
After Syria Withdrawal, NATO Must Turn Its Attention to the Black Sea
To keep Russia and Iran in check, NATO now more than ever needs to develop and pursue a comprehensive strategy for the Black Sea. Georgia is key to the region.
The Strategic Vacuum Trump Created in Syria Will Grow To Haunt America
Trump is dismantling a U.S.-led global architecture built by four generations, paid for by thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars of investment.
Russia Has Dominated Europe's Gas for Years—Now It Covets Its Green Energy
Just ten years ago, steps towards cleaner energy could have been easily dismissed as greenwashing – polluters' corporate PR. Not today: Key Russian exporters are keen to make themselves indispensable for Europe's green future.
Can Trump Retaliate to the Attack on Saudi Oil Without Starting a War?
President Trump is stuck between a rock and a hard place: he can't ignore an attack on a major ally and on the global oil market, but a military response, even of the "proportionate" variety, risks escalating the conflict.
The G7 Laid Bare the West's Leadership Crisis—and Neglect of WWII Lessons
Western leaders are failing miserably to find common ground on the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II.
Russia is Drowning in Corruption Trump Should Offer to Help
If Trump had a sensibility about the rule of law, he would recognize its sorry state in Russia as Putin's ultimate vulnerability.
What does Ukraine Election Bode for the U.S.?
Ukraine's tilt to the West is forcing Putin's hand in the region. The U.S., as the leader of the West, cannot allow this to happen.
Between America, Europe and Russia, Who Wins? China
Both sides of the Atlantic need to face down the challenge from China, and Russia must be given a choice of joining the West or facing China alone.
Venezuela: Guaido, Trump, the West Can't Afford to Lose
This is the best shot Venezuela had at democracy for a generation—and the U.S. can't afford to sit this one out.
Global order is costly. Global chaos would be far worse
America appears to be in retreat, and its opponents are taking notice.
Will Trump Turn On Mohammed bin Salman?
There's an emerging geopolitical chess-match between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran for hegemony of the Middle East.
The Trump-Putin Summit Could Have Been Worse
Is Trump attempting to lure Putin to leave his de-facto alliance with China?
Trump Must Stand Up to Putin—but He Needs Europe's Help
Trump should not further insult and alienate the Europeans.