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The Geopolitical Implications of Expanding Ties Between the Gulf and Central Asia
Though the differences between the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and the cold steppes of Central Asia might be…
Russian Influence in Mongolia is Declining
Russia—once Mongolia's principal ally—now faces stiff competition in its the landlocked country.English is…
Negotiating With Extremists Threatens Pakistan’s National Security
Negotiating with extremist groups—militant or otherwise—undermines the state's sovereignty and security.
In January 2019—in a landmark turn of events—the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted and ordered the immediate release of Aasia Bibi,…
United States-China Rivalry Will Dominate Geopolitics in East Asia
Great power competition between the United States and China will define the geopolitical landscape of East Asia.
The Indo-Pacific region will see a fundamental shift in the geopolitical status quo throughout 2019. This shift is the result…
The Future of the War in Ukraine
The conflict began when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
The war in the Donbas has been in a state of frozen conflict since May of 2014. As the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections near, many have started to wonder what the…
Will Russia Return the Kuril Islands to Japan?
Moscow and Tokyo are negotiating the status of the Kuril Islands, which have been an integral part of Russia for over seventy years.The Kuril Islands were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. Japan, however, still refers…
Global Britain: A New Vision
Since Prime Minister Theresa May and then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson announced in 2016 a new Global Britain approach to the United Kingdom's (UK) position on the world stage, much speculation has been cast over precisely what this…
Conflict and Competition in the Middle East Will Persist Throughout 2019
In previous years, interest in the Middle East was largely focused on ISIS (DAESH). This year, however, that focus will shift towards Iran.
As the threat from the extremist Sunni group dwindled, Iran-backed militias have been strengthening…
A Precarious Future for Iran-Europe Relations
Immediately following President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Europe rushed to save it.
European leaders announced the…
India’s Strategy for Regional Hegemony Depends on Afghanistan
India's role in Southeast and Central Asia is being shaped through Afghanistan.Many countries, both regional and global powers, are working in Afghanistan to secure their interests in Southeast Asia. Afghanistan’s strategic location is of…
What’s in an Iranian Drone’s Name?
Iranians are skilled in the localization of almost anything Western or foreign. This is partly because of the nationalist, anti-imperialist promises of the 1979 revolution, and partly due to U.S. and international sanctions.
These…
Germany: The Subtle Mediator Between Russia and Ukraine
Is Germany the missing link in the Sea of Azov dispute?
When the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Nikolai Partushev, claimed in mid-January that the continuation of policies “by the Kiev authorities can contribute to the loss of…
The Implications of Brexit for Security in Europe
Besides having long term economic consequences for both the British and the European economies, Brexit will likely have security implications that may weaken the interlocking web of Western institutions and alliances that maintained peace…
The Hard Edge of China’s Soft Power
China learned the value of hard power during its so-called “century of humiliation.” Now, as China begins its century of expansion, it’s learning to use soft power, too.
In reference to China’s foreign policy strategy, Deng Xiaoping once…
Border Dispute Between Chechnya and Ingushetia Threatens Regional Stability
On September 26, 2018, Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov and his Ingush counterpart Yunus-bek Yevkurov signed a bill initiating a land swap between Chechnya and Ingushetia. In the following months, this seemingly straightforward agreement…
Local Approach Needed in Central African Republic as Humanitarian Crisis Looms
Following the decolonization of Africa in the 1960s and 1970s, African governments decided against redrawing arbitrary national borders that were created by European powers. In many states, this decision gave rise to political, ethnic, and…
Intelligence in War: Fixing and Fitting Intelligence in the Afghan War
Modern wars are fought with eyes and ears on the ground, air, and cyberspace.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. and its allies have deployed cutting-edge aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. What is missing,…
Political Uncertainty Will Plague Europe Throughout 2019
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected by land, air, sea, and cyberspace, tensions and uncertainty are growing.
These trends are particularly evident in Europe, where elections, treaties, and other events will reshape the…
U.K. and Japan Heighten Defense Cooperation Ahead of Brexit
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s January 2019 visit to the United Kingdom highlights the close partnership that exists between the two great powers.As the U.K. attempts to redefine its role on the international stage once it withdraws…
Understanding Information Operations & Information Warfare
The concept of information operations (IO) has entered into our everyday lexicon without a precise definition.
Any stated definition of information operations is relative to the context. IO remains a complex subject, and the field is…
Iran’s Interests in Afghanistan: Water, Black Market Currency, & Extremism
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Kabul to discuss recent efforts towards peace in Afghanistan.
Though the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn’t provided any details of the meeting, the visit is…
The Peace Process in Afghanistan is a Failure
Editor's note: this assessment is based on a study conducted by the author for the Afghan Institute of Strategic Studies entitled The Fallacy of Peace Processes in Afghanistan: The People’s Perspectives.
Afghanistan’s dream for a…