Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: The Future of U.S. Strategy
America’s global role is more contested and uncertain than at any time since World War II, and the time is ripe for a fundamental reevaluation of the nation’s strategy. To meet this moment, the Council on Foreign Relations is launching the Future of American Strategy Initiative, a multiyear effort that aims to answer one defining question: Where does America go from here?
Xi’s Harshest Military Sentences Set the Stage for Bigger Purges
This analysis examines the escalation of Xi Jinping’s military purge, marked by unprecedented sentencing for former defense ministers. We explore how evolving political rhetoric—shifting from corruption charges to accusations of “disloyalty”—has systematically dismantled the PLA’s operational leadership. The article evaluates the resulting degradation in military readiness, the risks of intelligence-stifling feedback loops, and the broader implications for Xi’s vision of absolute institutional control.
Why Syria Must Build Lasting US Ties
This article evaluates the precarious state of the nascent US-Syria relationship following recent diplomatic breakthroughs. While shared security objectives have fostered cooperation, reliance on temporary alliances and personal networks leaves the partnership vulnerable to future political shifts. We analyze the strategic necessity for Damascus to institutionalize ties, prioritize economic engagement, and implement governance reforms to ensure long-term stability and international support.
India’s Calculated Gamble in a Fractured Gulf
This analysis examines India’s evolving diplomatic strategy in the Gulf, marked by deepened ties with the UAE and nuanced engagement with regional powers. We explore how New Delhi manages the intersection of economic resilience and geopolitical maneuvering. The article assesses the challenges of maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating competition between China, Iran, and traditional security alliances in a fractured West Asian landscape.
Hormuz Proved Chokepoints Can Be Weaponized. Asia Is Next.
This analysis explores the systemic vulnerability of global maritime chokepoints, highlighted by the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz. We examine how drone technology and insurance market manipulation create catastrophic economic risks, with specific focus on Asia’s critical passages. The piece evaluates the geopolitical implications for China, the United States, and the intensifying competition over secondary trade corridors.
GCC Rethinks Iran Strategy After Brutal War
This analysis examines the strategic shift within the GCC regarding Iran following recent regional conflicts. As energy security concerns rise, Gulf capitals are exploring non-aggression frameworks and diplomatic pathways to manage long-term tensions. We evaluate the feasibility of these proposals, the role of external mediators, and the path toward incremental stability.
Xi and Putin Unite Against Golden Dome at Beijing Summit
This analysis explores the strategic consolidation between Moscow and Beijing during the recent Beijing summit, where both leaders condemned the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative. As energy ties deepen—driven by the disruptions of the ongoing Iran war—we examine how this anti-hegemonic alignment seeks to reshape the global security architecture while highlighting the growing structural asymmetry of the Russia-China relationship.
Why US Pressure Keeps Pushing Moscow and Beijing Closer
This analysis explores the resilience of the Sino-Russian partnership, arguing that Western pressure has inadvertently solidified their cooperation. By examining the shift from ideological alignment to a partnership built on shared threats—and analyzing the failure of recent U.S. “wedge strategies”—we highlight why Moscow and Beijing view their collaboration as an indispensable strategic necessity, even amidst growing economic asymmetries and localized frictions.
Milei Faces Pushback at Home
This analysis examines the growing rift between President Javier Milei’s ideological foreign policy and the Argentine public’s preference for non-alignment. By tracing his commitment to the Isaac Accords, the promise to relocate the embassy to Jerusalem, and the transactional nature of U.S.-backed financial stabilization, we highlight the risks of Milei’s “moral clarity” in a nation where both the public and political opposition view his foreign ventures as reckless and disconnected from national interests.
Israel’s Election Will Exclude Millions It Governs
This analysis examines the democratic paradox inherent in Israel’s upcoming elections, where political representation remains systematically inaccessible to millions of Palestinians living under military rule. Drawing on recent findings from the ICJ and UN human rights bodies, we explore how current annexationist policies and the exclusionary nature of the electoral process further entrench a dual-regime system, challenging the foundations of political legitimacy in the region.
Indo-Pacific Allies Rethink Security After Trump’s Taiwan Gamble
This analysis explores the growing crisis of confidence among U.S. Indo-Pacific allies following recent shifts in Washington’s Taiwan policy. As traditional deterrence mechanisms face strain, key partners like Japan and South Korea are accelerating defense transformations and reconsidering long-standing nuclear restraint policies, signaling a profound shift in regional security architecture.
How Israel’s Entry Denials Target Critical Journalists
This article examines a leaked Israeli police dossier revealing the criteria used to bar foreign correspondents, including covering Bedouin conditions or labor violations. Highlighting the case of Italian photojournalist Alessandro Stefanelli, the report details how systemic media exclusions and judicial deference are driving an unprecedented information blackout across the region.