Threats

US, Russia Spar Over Ukraine At Confrontational U.N. Meeting

Russian official claims the U.S. is trying to “drive a wedge” between Moscow and Kyiv with “unfounded accusations.”

Ideas

What If Moscow Cancels Airline Overflight Rights?

The interconnected world gives Russia tools that the Soviet Union never had.

Threats

US Sends More Military Equipment to Ukraine

Latest deliveries to arrive today as DOD searches its inventory for more to send.

Policy

Japan PM Kishida’s Top Concerns for Biden: Covid, Climate, & China

New and old issues—including over U.S. troops—are on the agenda this week in their first virtual meeting as world leaders.

Ideas

Biden’s Gray-Zone Gaffe Highlights a Real Dilemma

It’s high time for NATO and its member governments to define what kinds of aggression short of war require a unified response.

Threats

Blinken Delivers Closing Argument In Rebuke of Russia

America’s top diplomat refuted Russia’s claims that it is acting in self-defense on the Ukrainian border.

Threats

Here’s What DOD’s International Security Nominee Learned from Russia’s 2014 Seizure of Crimea

Send weapons faster, and prepare to boost U.S. forces in the region, Celeste Wallander told lawmakers.

Threats

Russia Neither Accepts Nor Rejects NATO’s Offer To Restart Talks

Representatives from Moscow and NATO members will talk with their respective governments about whether to continue discussions, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said.

Threats

‘There Will Be No Withdrawal’: Syrian Allies Say US Has Promised to Keep Some Troops There

But for how long? The Kurds say uncertainty is emboldening Turkey, Russian-backed militias, and the Assad regime.

Ideas

Biden Just Gave France Something More Valuable than a Submarine Contract

The White House endorsement of European defense apart from NATO is worth more than a $66 billion deal with Australia.

Threats

‘There Is No Afghan Government’: NATO Stops Aid To Afghanistan As Taliban Take Over

Stoltenberg says aid could resume to an “inclusive government." And at the White House: “We will have to take a hard look at how we proceed on any basis at all.”

Ideas

We Never Did What Was Necessary in Afghanistan

We lost. It’s painful and infuriating, but a few more troops and a little more time would change nothing.

Policy

‘We Will Not Flinch’: Austin Promises US Will Continue to Bolster Taiwan’s Self-Defense

In Singapore, defense secretary chides Beijing for “aggression...coercion...genocide” but says he wants a “constructive, stable relationship with China.”

Threats

French, U.S. Special Forces Agree to Beef Up Partnership in Africa

The new agreement shows that counterterrorism will still be a top focus for the Pentagon.

Ideas

A Better Way to Measure Returns on U.S. Security Cooperation Investments

Though return-on-investment analysis seems like the obvious approach, it simply does not work for measuring security cooperation activities.

Threats

Pentagon Studying How Counterterrorism Fits Into Great Power Competition

The Pentagon has not previously discussed how to use counterterrorism capabilities for great power competition. Now that’s changing.

Policy

Biden, Moon Seek Return to Normal After Four Years of ‘Chaotic’ Trump

But the U.S. and South Korean leaders remain far apart on topics from North Korea to human rights.

Ideas

Détente with Iran Could Unlock a Foreign Policy Gold Mine

Bringing Tehran back into the diplomatic fold would foster other progress.