Author Archive

Tara Sonenshine

Tara Sonenshine
Tara Sonenshine served as U.S. undersecretary of State for public diplomacy. She advises students at The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.
Ideas

Beware a Peace Deal That May Spell War

There are important questions still to be answered about Afghanistan and the United States.

Ideas

New Poll Data Should Be a Clarion Call to Those Who Believe in Global Engagement

The partisan gap is widening on several key foreign-policy priorities — as is the generation gap.

Ideas

The Trump-Putin Summit Made a Mockery of Public Diplomacy

The Russian may at least have projected strength, but the American delivered a dangerous muddle.

Ideas

Water Wars in Iraq and Around the World

It is the common ingredient in life and in war: water—the need for it and the desire to control it. By Tara Sonenshine

Policy

The Trouble With Cease-Fire Agreements in War

The Israeli-Gaza conflict is testing the limits of the concept of a ‘cease-fire’ as a departure from hostilities. If we can’t 'hear' the total silence from the guns of August, is there any way out of the cycle of violence? By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

Weather and War: A Perfect Storm

Three recent airline tragedies turned the world’s spotlight on collateral damage’s innocent victims—changing the idea of international security into one of personal security as well. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

It's Time Obama Lowered the Bar for Success in Iraq

President Obama might be wise to follow a ‘less is more’ strategy in Iraq. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

After Ukraine, Obama Keeps an Eye on the Baltics

The Obama administration is considering beefing up its military presence in Europe, perhaps going so far as granting a Baltic request for permanent NATO military bases. By Tara Sonenshine

Policy

Obama Draws a Roadmap for Foreign Engagement

Using all of America’s assets—beyond just military prowess—makes sense. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

U.S.-Russian Cultural Relations Are on Ice, Too

The Russians may be coming -- but not in the way any of us had hoped. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

The Silver Lining of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370

As China joins Japan in the search for the missing plane we are reminded that crises create strange bedfellows, but grief is universal. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

Moving U.S.-German Relations Past the NSA Headlines

Despite recent headlines about Snowden and spying, U.S.-German interests remain in lockstep from Afghanistan to Syria, Iran and now the Ukraine. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

Syrian Caves a Window Onto the Conflict

It takes a village, like Maaloula, to understand the complexities of Syria’s conflict, and the challenges it will face to recover and rebuild. By Tara Sonenshine