The future of deterrence won’t be decided by tanks or troops alone—but by tiny, rare earth elements that power AI, drones, and defense systems. The United States’ strategic edge depends on securing what’s buried beneath the surface.
Trump’s foreign policy echoes Nixon’s doctrine of delegating regional security to allies (like Israel in the Middle East) to reduce U.S. burdens. While this approach shows promise in the Middle East and Europe, it faces hurdles: loss of control over proxies, continued U.S. involvement needs, and outright failure in Asia—where China’s military dominance makes allied self-reliance impossible.
Israel’s limited war on Iran needs to be judged against the alternatives. By that measure, the operation was a success. Limited wars can buy time, shift the geopolitical dynamic and, in doing so, pave the way to something more enduring.
As Europe supports Ukraine, three other post-Soviet states remain dangerously exposed to Russian coercion and aggression. Russian efforts to destabilize these states are already underway, raising a significant challenge for European decisionmakers.
Countries have come to rely on a network of cables and pipes under the sea for their energy and communications. A coordinated attack on this network could have devastating consequences. But that is difficult business in a very challenging environment.
Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative should learn from the strategic miscalculations of Reagan’s SDI program.
In his first major policy speech as secretary of state — delivered Monday at the Heritage Foundation — Mike Pompeo set out the Trump administration’s Iran strategy.
The U.S. is exporting its gun violence epidemic globally, inspiring deadly attacks abroad and damaging its international reputation. This crisis undermines U.S. soft power and fuels geopolitical adversaries while allies grow wary.
The U.S. defense industrial system’s chronic delays and cost overruns undermine trust with allies, embolden adversaries like China, and weaken burden-sharing efforts. While recent reforms target bureaucratic inefficiencies, the defense industry must also improve accountability in meeting delivery timelines and quality standards. Solutions include stricter contract penalties, fostering competition, and expanding options for allies beyond traditional Pentagon programs.
The analysis examines post-WWII order shifts and Trump’s NATO impact: U.S. pressure for higher European defense spending could strengthen cooperation or weaken transatlantic ties. The alliance’s future hinges on Europe’s response and mutual strategic choices.
The article analyzes shifts in GOP foreign policy and Trump’s impact on NATO. Trump’s transactional approach pushes Europe to boost defense spending, but risks weakening transatlantic unity. Success depends on turning pressure into stronger cooperation, not European strategic divergence from the U.S.
The U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, following Israel’s successful operation, has left the situation uncertain. Key questions remain: Did America cripple Iran’s nuclear program? How will Iran retaliate? And could this crisis lead to regime change?
