Author Archive

Christopher J. Bolan

Professor, Army War College

Dr. Christopher Bolan is Professor of Middle East Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. government.
Ideas

10 Hard Realities of America’s Next Syria Policy

The troops are leaving, but the U.S. still has regional and global interests in what happens there.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Ideas

The US Is Trying to Restore Deterrence in the Gulf. That Won’t be Enough

Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a security dilemma. Here are some potential ways out.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Ideas

Deterrence Is Failing — Partly Because Iran Has No Idea What the US Really Wants

Successful deterrence requires clear delineation of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. That needs to start, pronto.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Ideas

Waltzing Toward a Two-Front Global War

The U.S. just might be one step away from a war with North Korea, and two from a fight with Iran.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Ideas

Memorandum to President Trump on the Iran Nuclear Deal

Here's what the U.S. president should know going into his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who wants to scuttle the agreement.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Policy

The US Balance-of-Power Strategy in the Gulf is Collapsing. But It Never Had a Chance Anyway

The Qatar dispute deals a death blow to Trump Administration dreams of an Arab NATO arrayed against Iran.

  • Christopher J. Bolan
Ideas

The US and Iran Are Not Yet on a Course to War

Despite bellicose words, both sides have also demonstrated elements of restraint.

  • Christopher J. Bolan