Strategic Horizons ‘Preventive’ War With North Korea or Iran Could Deal a Death Blow to the Law of War Steven Metz Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 The chances of a major war involving the U.S. are higher today than at any time since early 2003, with the Trump administration raising the prospect of military action against North Korea and Iran. A “preventive” attack against either country would be the death knell for the international law of armed conflict.
World Citizen Nikki Haley Has Become the Face of U.S. Diplomacy Under Trump Frida Ghitis Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 When President Donald Trump delivered his fiery first speech at the United Nations General Assembly this week, one person in the audience watched with particular interest, bracing herself for what would come next: Ambassador Nikki Haley. To a large degree, Haley has proven rather successful in her post.
Balance of Power Is Russia the West’s Potential Partner, Rival, Adversary—or Even Enemy? Judah Grunstein Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 Russia kicked off military exercises this week billed as a showcase for its decade-long military modernization. In the U.S. and Europe, the preoccupation with Russia’s military is part of a broader debate over whether to regard Moscow as a potential partner, a rival or an adversary—and even an enemy.
Measured Response The Risks of Giving the CIA Expanded Drone Strike Authority Ellen Laipson Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 In the war against terrorism, U.S. diplomacy, defense and intelligence all work together. But balance is key, and reports that the CIA wants greater authority to conduct drone strikes raise questions about who should lead the fight against terrorism and how to navigate among competing players and institutions.
Diplomatic Fallout Will the U.N. General Assembly Mark the Start of ‘Act Two’ for Guterres? Richard Gowan Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 Since becoming secretary-general of the United Nations in January, Antonio Guterres has often been a rather opaque figure. But with world leaders gathering for the annual U.N. General Assembly, Guterres has started to clarify his agenda and could pursue a more ambitious leadership role from here on out.
Strategic Horizons From North Korea to Russia, the U.S. Must Be Selective in Deterring Adversaries Steven Metz Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 It is always better to deter an adversary than to fight, but doing so can be a tricky thing. Today the United States faces four primary adversaries that it would rather deter than fight: North Korea, Iran, Russia and the network of violent Islamic extremist movements. Each must be deterred in a different way.
World Citizen Kuwait Is Walking a Tight Rope in the Gulf as the Qatar Crisis Continues Frida Ghitis Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 Efforts to resolve the three-month-old dispute between Gulf Arab states were dashed last week after an initially promising meeting between the ruler of Kuwait and President Donald Trump. The episode highlighted just how delicate the situation is for Kuwait, which has taken on the role of Gulf mediator.
Balance of Power Can Macron and Merkel Really Save the European Union? Judah Grunstein Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 Is the European Union finally out of the woods? Two years after the refugee and migrant crisis drove a continent-wide populist backlash, the existential threat to the union seems to be over. But many of the underlying challenges facing the bloc remain stubbornly unresolved. Is optimism really justified?
Measured Response U.S. Diplomacy Is on the Defensive, on Several Fronts at Home and Abroad Ellen Laipson Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 These are difficult days for U.S. diplomacy. From North Korea to Syria, the Trump administration keeps expecting easy wins, and they just don’t happen. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s attempts to reform the State Department could reduce its capacity to represent U.S. leadership around the world.
Diplomatic Fallout Will Russia Apply Its ‘Syria Model’ to U.N. Diplomacy Over North Korea? Richard Gowan Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 Russia is flexing its diplomatic muscles at the United Nations again. Moscow appears intent on using the U.N. to complicate American efforts to put pressure on North Korea and sow confusion over its own intentions toward Ukraine. Western diplomats should be alert, because Russia is a fine player of the U.N. game.
Strategic Horizons America Needs to Consider New Ideas in Afghanistan—Including Erik Prince’s Plan Steven Metz Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 Frustration with the stalemate in Afghanistan has broadened the debate over U.S. strategy there, with options that seemed unthinkable a few years ago, like outright disengagement, now on the table. As this unfolds, one proposal in particular has sparked intense discussion: a plan to replace U.S. troops with contractors.
World Citizen Will Latin America’s Anti-Corruption Wave Founder Where It Began? Frida Ghitis Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 In recent years, Latin America has waged a pivotal war against what has been arguably the region’s greatest scourge: corruption. Now, after a string of victories that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago, the conflict faces a make-or-break challenge in the very place where it was born, Guatemala.
