Joshua Ball

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAustralia, Canada, China, European Union, France, Germany, India, Japan, NATO, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

A Multipolar Global Order Doesn’t Mean the West is “in Retreat”

Joshua Ball

There's no question that the post-Soviet world order is undergoing a seismic shift. The real question is, how? The post-World War II international order that enabled today’s political, economic, and…

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

Global Shifts in Geopolitical Trends

Joshua Ball

The world order is changing. The question is, how? The post-World War II international order that enabled today's political, economic, and security arrangements and institutions is in question as power…

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

Japan Will Enhance Its Military Posture to Counter China

Joshua Ball

In Northeast Asia, growing tensions around the Korean Peninsula are likely, with the possibility of a confrontation in the coming years. Kim Jong Un is consolidating his grip on power…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyChina, Iran, North Korea, Russia, United States

U.S. Foreign Policy Could Become Increasingly Aggressive in 2018

Joshua Ball

Sharpening tensions and heightened doubts concerning the U.S. role in the world will continue for several years. In the short term, the U.S. will have a diminished presence abroad due…

Defense & SecurityCrimea, Georgia, International Security, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, United States

“Plausible Deniability” in Russia’s Hybrid War in Ukraine

Joshua Ball

From the beginning of Russia’s engagement in Crimea, there was a profound emphasis on maintaining a degree of plausible deniability.The Russian flag was raised by residents of Crimea, not Russian…

Defense & SecurityGeorgia, Russia, Ukraine, United States

Top Putin Aide’s Hacked Emails Reveal Secret Plan to Invade Ukraine

Joshua Ball

Hacked emails, allegedly belonging to top Putin advisor Vladislav Surkov, reveal a Kremlin plot to create conditions for the annexation of parts of eastern Ukraine that coincides with the aftermath…

Defense & SecurityChina, Russia, United States

U.S. Lacks Strategy to Combat Foreign Interference in 2018

Joshua Ball

The U.S. lacks a strategy to combat Russian interference, as China is rapidly expanding its foreign influence efforts.On March 6, The U.S. Director of National Intelligence told a Senate Armed…

Defense & SecurityChina, United States, Vietnam

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Visits Vietnamese Port for First Time Since Vietnam War

Joshua Ball

A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier has visited a Vietnamese port for the first time since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The visit is seen as a sign…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyRussia, United States

Russia Denies Interfering in U.S. Elections After Special Counsel Indictments

Joshua Ball

Kremlin spokesman denies any involvement in "meddling in the internal affairs of other countries." On February 19, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that allegations of Russian interference in the…

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

U.S. Grand Strategy & the Future of the International Order

Joshua Ball

U.S. Grand Strategy and the Future of the International Order International orders have a tendency be based on two pillars: the equilibrium power and prestige among the main members and…

Defense & SecurityRussia, Syria, Turkey, United States

Russia Presented an Ultimatum to Kurdish Authorities in Syria Before Turkish Assault

Joshua Ball

Turkish ground offensive into Kurdish-controlled Syrian region of Afrin targets forces backed by the U.S. Turkey's military offensive into the northwestern enclave of Afrin launched Saturday, amid anger at a…

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

Major Israeli Air Strikes Target Iranian and Syrian Military Installations

Joshua Ball

Israeli air strikes against Iranian and Syrian targets are the most significant since the Syrian civil war began—raising fears of escalation and war. The Israeli military says its air force…