Ideas
Did Trump’s Team Just Threaten War With China?
Rex Tillerson said the U.S. should threaten to keep China from its new man-made islands. That requires a naval blockade. And that is war.
Ideas
What the World Might Look Like in 5 Years, According to US Intelligence
Even America's own government analysts see the American Era drawing to a close.
Policy
How Putin is Using Populist Movements Against the West
It’s time to decide what goals should guide American foreign policy in the 21st century, and what allies are needed to advance them.
Ideas
Trump’s Deal-Powered Vision Will, and Won’t, Change US Foreign Policy
'The day of the chess player is over,' the businessman once wrote.
Ideas
Global Conflicts to Watch in 2017
The greatest unknown for U.S. interests in the world might be the United States itself.
Policy
Tracking Trump’s National-Security Conflicts of Interest
A global business empire raises the question: is the president’s foreign policy serving America’s interests or his own?
Policy
Rand Paul Is Already Planning to Disrupt Trump’s Foreign Policy
Some see the president-elect’s inexperience as an open door for the Kentucky senator and other members of Congress to reassert themselves against more intervention abroad.
Ideas
Crises from Europe to the Asia-Pacific Await Donald Trump
The world has reacted to Trump’s victory. Soon Trump will have to react to the world.
Ideas
Five Foreign-Policy Challenges for President-Elect Trump
America and the world are inevitably in for a rocky ride—at odds with the simple solutions espoused by politicians on the campaign trail.
Ideas
Alliances Matter. Here’s How to Persuade Trump and His Voters
An internationalist consensus can only be rebuilt if its would-be architects take seriously the popular anxieties that propelled Trump’s victory.
Ideas
Trump’s Foreign Policy Could Change the Entire International System
A scholar of U.S. foreign policy explains why the 2016 race could be the most consequential election—anywhere—since the 1930s.
Ideas
Americans Are For Smart Engagement
Polls show the public wants all options explored, including diplomacy, before military force is even considered.
Ideas
Saudi Arabia: A Kingdom Coming Undone
As Riyadh embarks on a rocky journey to economic diversification, the U.S. should offer help — but not unconditionally.
Ideas
Donald Trump Is the First Demagogue of the Terrorism-and-Climate Change Era
Here’s why he won't be the last.
Ideas
The World Needs the American Military
It’s fiction to pretend that the most powerful nation can ever be truly “neutral” in foreign conflicts.
Policy
The US Relief Mission to Haiti Is Also a Signal to America’s Neighbors, and Russia
The leader of U.S. Southern Command hopes helpful actions speak louder than Moscow’s words.
Ideas
Geography Allows America To Choose Its Global Role. Only One Candidate is Choosing Wisely
Because of its location, America can choose whether it wants to be a gatekeeper or a global policeman.
Policy
Mike Pence Embraces Foreign Policy That GOP Voters Left Behind
By sidestepping Trump’s messages on foreign policy and trade in Tuesday’s debate, the vice-presidential nominee ignored the choices GOP voters made in their primaries.
Ideas
US Military Spending Has Declined, But It Still Dwarfs All Other Nations'
It’s easy to see why a steady decline of military spending might alarm many Americans. But a bit of perspective is in order.
Policy