Joshua Ball

Government & PoliticsBrazil, China, Colombia, Russia, United States, Venezuela

Venezuela’s Economic Collapse & the Rise of Authoritarianism

Joshua Ball

Venezuela is in the midst of a significant political and economic crisis that will have wide-ranging implications for regional security.As the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the…

Economics & TradeChina, Tibet, Xinjiang

An Economic Downturn in China is the Greatest Threat to Chinese Domestic Security

Joshua Ball

The Chinese government has provided security and economic prosperity for a growing middle class in return for absolute loyalty. For decades, Western academics, policymakers, and analysts assumed that China's embrace…

Defense & SecurityIran, Israel, Russia, Syria, United States

Escalation in Syria After Israel Strikes 70 Iranian Targets

Joshua Ball

There has been a serious escalation in Syria between Israel and Iran.In the early hours of May 10, 2018, Iranian forces in Syria reportedly launched 20 rockets against Israeli targets…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, United States

Israeli Military on ‘High Alert’ in Anticipation of Iranian Attack

Joshua Ball

The Israeli army is on high alert with defense systems being deployed in anticipation of an Iranian attack.In Washington and in Israel, there is a growing concern that Iran may…

Defense & SecurityFrance, Netherlands, Russia, United Kingdom, United States

Russian Election Interference Campaign Was a Well-Oiled Information Warfare Machine

Joshua Ball

The Russian government developed and implemented a "full-spectrum" disinformation machine to influence the political system in the United States.The attempt to influence the 2016 U.S. election through social media is…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIran, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, United States

Saudi Arabia Pressured Palestinian Authority to Accept Saudi-backed Israel-Palestine Peace Deal

Joshua Ball

More evidence of closer ties between Israel and Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reportedly informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he must support the Israeli-Palestinian peace deal…

Defense & SecurityChina, North Korea, United States

5 Predictions of Major Global Security Threats in 2018

Joshua Ball

Predictions for the Islamic State, the global economy, ongoing tensions with North Korea, climate change, and the fallout from the massive cyber attacks of 2017. Editor's note: This video…

Economics & TradeBrazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam

Emerging Economies Will Hold Increasing Amounts of Global Economic Power by 2050

Joshua Ball

By 2050, economies like Indonesia, Brazil, and Mexico are likely to be bigger than those of the United Kingdom and France. The seven largest emerging market countries could grow, on…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyChina, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, United States

Russian Foreign Policy: Expansionism Feeds Domestic Nationalism

Joshua Ball

Russian foreign policy and domestic politics are inextricably intertwined, which means heightened tensions with the U.S. for foreseeable future. Moscow will attempt to develop stronger economic connections with Tokyo and Seoul…

Government & PoliticsChina, United States

Xi’s Power Consolidation a Signal of an Impending Economic Crisis?

Joshua Ball

China may have domestic security and economic concerns to grapple with this year. The Chinese Communist Party's careful preparation for a change of direction was realized in mid-October during its…

Defense & SecurityChina, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, United States

Series: Geopolitics & North Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions

Joshua Ball

The risk of conflict on the Korean Peninsula is higher than any time since the end of the Korean War. North Korea’s nuclear program began in the early 1990s, and…

Government & PoliticsChina, European Union, Russia, United States

Geopolitical Trend: Authoritarianism Spreads Around the Globe

Joshua Ball

Authoritarianism is emerging as an attractive alternative to liberal democracy for a growing number of countries worldwide. Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by strong central power and limited…