By David Bernell As the war in Ukraine goes on, with Ukraine’s army thus far stopping the Russian push at Bakhmut, and a Ukrainian offensive expected as more (and more lethal) weaponry is being supplied by members of NATO, one of the issues that held greater salience earlier in the war continues to play a... Continue Reading →
Was NATO Expansion a Response to Russian Aggression?
By Justin Kempf NATO Expansion was a Response to Russian Aggression At the end of the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization consisted of 16 member states. Over the past thirty years it has grown to 30. After Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden applied for membership. Their inclusion will double NATO... Continue Reading →
Ukraine: A Boon or Bust for U.S. Power? It’s Complicated
By C. William Walldorf, Jr. A Boon or A Bust? Is the war in Ukraine a boon or bust for U.S. power? Despite Ukraine’s remarkable success, NATO’s increased unity, and Russia’s poor military performance, the answer to that question is more complicated than some might think. Especially in a war’s early stages, assessing the impact... Continue Reading →
The Use of Terrorism Designation in the U.S. Foreign Policy
By Cagil Albayrak A Powerful Tool The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised important questions about the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy when it comes to defending Eurasian peace and security through sanctions. One of the most controversial proposals has been to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. There has also... Continue Reading →
Some Realists are Unrealistic About Russia
By Justin Kempf A Tragic Anniversary One year ago today Russia invaded Ukraine. It's difficult to adequately describe what has happened. Some call it the War in Ukraine. But this description absolves Russia of its role in starting the conflict. Serhii Plokhy has a new book called The Russo-Ukrainian War. This sounds like a fairer description.... Continue Reading →
A Dual-Edged Sword: Aiding National Defense in Fragile Democracies
By Randell Yi Aiding National Defense in Fragile Democracies Just as the United States appeared to have disengaged from large scale nation building, it massively doubled down on providing economic and military assistance to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion. While total military aid flows to all recipients increased from $7.34 billion in 2000 to... Continue Reading →
Can Washington and China Cooperate in Foreign Aid?
By Miles Williams Competition or Cooperation in Foreign Aid Last summer I had the privilege of attending a conference put on by the College of William and Mary. This convening brought together a fruitful mix of academics, think tankers, US State Department and USAID officials, and politicians. Our hosts set before us a daunting set... Continue Reading →
Revisiting the Original Cold War
A Review of The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Teaches Us about Great-Power Rivalry Today by Hal Brands Review By Justin Kempf A New Cold War On May 1st, 1960 the Soviet Union shot down an American spy plane known as the U-2. The United States used the U-2 for aerial reconnaissance because it... Continue Reading →
Robert Kagan Looks to American History to Explain Foreign Policy Today
Robert Kagan is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, a columnist at The Washington Post, and among the most influential writers on foreign policy today. His latest book is Ghost at the Feast: America and the Collapse of World Order, 1900-1941. Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. We... Continue Reading →
India, Democracy Promoter?
By Šumit Ganguly India's Democratic History Contrary to popular belief, the British had done little to bequeath democracy to India. Instead, democracy emerged in India due to the relentless efforts of Indian nationalists who appropriated liberal democratic ideals and embedded them in the nascent country. The country forged a democratic constitution in 1950, just three... Continue Reading →
