Joshua Ball

Defense & SecurityChina, Georgia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

The Changing Face of Conflict: What is Hybrid Warfare?

Joshua Ball

Understanding the Implications of Hybrid and Non-Linear Warfare I. Introduction The concept of warfare has evolved significantly over the years, with the traditional notion of state-on-state conflict increasingly giving way…

Defense & SecurityEuropean Union, NATO, Russia, United Kingdom, United States

Escalate to De-Escalate: Russia’s Nuclear Deterrence Strategy

Joshua Ball

This article was originally published on August 20, 2018 as "Nuclear De-Escalation: Russia's Deterrence Strategy." Russia's military doctrine dictates the use of nuclear weapons in response to any non-nuclear assault…

Defense & SecurityChina, Crimea, Russia, South China Sea, Ukraine, United States

What is Security? Everything.

Joshua Ball

The concept of security has evolved considerably since the end of the Cold War. Security is an inherently contested concept, encompassing a wide variety of scenarios, and is commonly used…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyChina, Europe, Japan, South China Sea, United States, Vietnam

How Chinese Exceptionalism Fuels an Expansionist Foreign Policy

Joshua Ball

China’s approach to international relations and foreign policy has been shaped by its geopolitical history. China's vast amounts of territory are inhabited by diverse groups of people—each with distinct cultural,…

Government & PoliticsChina, Tibet, Xinjiang

The Chinese Communist Party’s Biggest Fears are Separatism and an Economic Crisis

Joshua Ball

The Chinese Communist Party is likely to maintain its monopoly on power in China for the foreseeable future. However, the party isn't without its vulnerabilities. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyArmenia, European Union, Georgia, NATO, Russia

As Russia Identifies as a Eurasian Power, It Turns Away from Europe

Joshua Ball

The relationship between Russia and the E.U. is at its lowest point since the Cold War.The E.U. first decided to impose sanctions in the wake of the March 2014 annexation…

Defense & SecurityAbkhazia, Crimea, Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia, Ukraine, United States

To Counter Hybrid Threats, U.S. Must Redefine Conception of Warfare

Joshua Ball

The United States perceives warfare in a fundamentally different way than its adversaries—that needs to change. The status of U.S.-Russia relations is often explained by commentators as a "second Cold…

Defense & SecurityChina, European Union, India, NATO, Russia, United Nations, United States

12 Predictions for Global Geopolitics for 2019 through 2025—and Beyond

Joshua Ball

Geopolitical tensions will continue to escalate over the course of the next seven years. Governments and institutions will be tested by considerable challenges over the next decade as the international…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyEuropean Union, Georgia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, United States

Russian Expansionism is a Consequence of Geography

Joshua Ball

Geographically, Russia's defining trait was its indefensibility. Russia has been threatened by invasions for centuries. The country’s western borders have always been distinctly vulnerable, with no mountain ranges, bodies of…

Defense & SecurityChina, Taiwan, United States

Expect Rising Tensions Between China and Taiwan for the Foreseeable Future

Joshua Ball

Beijing could attempt to reunify China by force within the next decade. The issue of reunification between mainland China and the island of Taiwan is one of the most significant…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyChina, European Union, Germany, India, Russia, United States

The Early Stages of a Multipolar World Order

Joshua Ball

Governments worldwide will face considerable challenges over the next decade as the international order is restructured. The legitimacy and authority of governments and institutions across the globe will the called…

Defense & SecurityFrance, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States

Saudi Arabia Threatens Military Action if Qatar Purchases Russian S-400 Air Defense System

Joshua Ball

Saudi Arabia Seeks to Prevent Qatar from Buying the Russian S-400 Air Defense System. According to reports in the French newspaper Le Monde, Saudi Arabia has asked the government of France to…