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Foreign Policy

Allies & Extended Deterrence, Archiveextended deterrence, Foreign Policy, global security, inhibition, National Security, nuclear attack, nuclear capabilities, Nuclear Deterrence, proliferation, Russia, South Korea

Nuclear Challenges: Inhibition and Extended Deterrence

Aaron Holland1 Comment

An American grand strategy of inhibition, characterized by efforts to curtail the spread of independent nuclear weapons programs, has long been a cornerstone of American foreign policy. Rooted in the…

Allies & Extended Deterrence, ArchiveBritish, Europe, Foreign Policy, French, GDP, Germany, Greece, Italy, NATO, nuclear capabilities, Nuclear Deterrence, nuclear politics, nuclear Rubicon, partner nations, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Trump, Turkey, UK, UN

Is Trump Right About Europe?

Amit Gupta1 Comment

Former President Donald Trump’s views on Europe are consistent. He has long criticized North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member-states for their failure to spend the required 2 percent of gross…

Defense & SecurityForeign Policy, United States

Secretary Mattis: “We’ve Lost the Power of Inspiration; We’ve Got the Power of Intimidation.”

Joshua Ball

In a candid conversation caught on video, Secretary Mattis urged troops to "hold the line until our country gets back to respecting each other and showing it." A video has…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyForeign Policy, International Security, National Security, United States

The U.S. Must Manage Domestic & Foreign Challenges in Order to Wield Credible Global Influence

Joshua Ball

Despite an overall economic recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, the United States faces considerable challenges. Domestically, these problems include decreased public trust in institutions, “fake news” proliferating on social…

Defense & SecurityChina, Energy, European Union, Foreign Policy, France, International Security, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Northern Africa, Oil, OPEC, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Converging Economic and Demographic Trends Threaten Security in the Middle East and North Africa

Joshua Ball

With oil prices unlikely to recover to levels of the petroleum boom governments may have to limit cash payments and subsidies. In the meantime, social networks have provided new tools…

Defense & SecurityForeign Policy, Russia, United States

The Subtext of Secretary Mattis’ Mysterious Memo

Joshua Ball

After a cryptic department-wide memo some are asking if Secretary James Mattis is trying to send a message. Early in August and without pretext, Secretary of Defense James Mattis circulated…

Defense & Security, Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAmericas, Foreign Policy, North Korea, Syria

What is U.S. Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration?

Joshua Ball

The Trump Doctrine: America First Means More Military As a candidate, Donald Trump structured his narrative around the idea that the U.S. had overextended itself—that allies were taking advantage of…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyForeign Policy, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, United States

Russian National Security & Foreign Policy under Putin

Joshua Ball

The security perspective from Moscow Under the leadership of President Vladimir V. Putin, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, subsequently invading eastern Ukraine to foment a nationalist civil war, and directly engaged in…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAmericas, Foreign Policy, Iran, National Security, Russia

Madman Theory 2.0: The Trump Administration Foreign Policy

Joshua Ball

Is there a method to the madness? Based on President Trump’s stated policy of unpredictability and instability, it’s difficult to say what his end-goals may be—or if he even has…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyForeign Policy, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine

Russian Military, Politics, and Foreign Policy

Joshua Ball

Russia's Foreign Policy and National Security Interests The natural environment of Russia gives it many advantages over many other countries. Russia has land along five different coastlines. Russia has coastlines…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAsia, China, Foreign Policy

Chinese Foreign Policy & National Security Interests

Joshua Ball

China's National Security Interests and Foreign Policy Chinese foreign policy has a long history of isolationism. By keeping foreigners at a distance and by strictly regulating trade, China maintained its…