International trade

June 11, 2026 | Samuel Ben-Ur |

Venezuela reshuffles foreign relationships as oil production grows

As foreign minister and vice president under former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez helped build many of Venezuela’s relationships with American...

June 3, 2026 | Max Meizlish, Connor Pfeiffer

Beyond the Embargo: A Toolkit for Squeezing the Cuban Regime

Opponents of U.S. sanctions often cite Cuba as “Exhibit A” for why sanctions don’t work. The United States has maintained an embargo on the island for more than six decades — but to what end? Cuba’s...

May 21, 2026 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Josh Birenbaum

After Globalization: The Case for a ‘Near-Global Economy’

The United States needs to pursue economic integration with countries that meet its free-market and geopolitical standards.

May 19, 2026 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Post-Assad Syria Is Mending Fences With Russia

The new Syrian leadership has signaled openness to the West and has even demonstrated cooperation with Ukraine — Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in April....

May 15, 2026 | Jack Burnham |

U.S.-China Summit Underlines Stalemate Between Washington and Beijing

The United States and China remain stuck in a stalemate, but Beijing isn’t likely to be disappointed. President Trump and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping convened in Beijing on May 14 to 15 to...

May 15, 2026 | Josh Birenbaum, Daniel Swift

Trump and Xi talk Strait past each other at summit

Trump and Xi met face-to-face, but their minds are worlds apart. Both sides described this week’s summit as constructive and there were no major surprises, but based on initial readouts, the two leaders...

May 14, 2026 | Daniel Swift |

Don’t use GDP to judge China’s strength – look at this instead

China continues to tout its 5% GDP growth figure, but the ICOR metric reveals just how badly the nation is wasting capital

May 11, 2026 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey’s corridor dream won’t beat IMEC – but it could still reshape Eurasian trade

War has a way of redrawing maps – not just political ones, but commercial ones as well. The outbreak of conflict with Iran has disrupted longstanding trade arteries linking Asia to Europe, from Persian...

May 7, 2026 | Craig Singleton, Elaine K. Dezenski, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Joe Dougherty

Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit 

April 15, 2026 | Miad Maleki |

For Iran, Hormuz Is More a Weakness Than a Weapon

How a U.S. Blockade Threatens the Regime’s Grip

April 15, 2026 | Jack Burnham |

Request for Comments on the Section 301 Investigations of Acts, Policies, and Practices of Certain Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors

April 13, 2026 | Miad Maleki |

What the US naval blockade would mean for Iran’s economy

The US naval blockade of Iran, which started on Monday, could rapidly cripple the country’s economy, cutting off most of its trade, halting oil exports and triggering inflation and currency pressure within...

March 29, 2026 | Saeed Ghasseminejad, Shervin Pishevar

Unlocking Iran’s potential: a trillion-dollar opportunity for America in a free Iran

The United States can seize the moment to support regime change and forge a strategic partnership with a democratic Iran that could yield over $1 trillion in revenue for American firms over the next decade. This...

March 29, 2026 | Elaine K. Dezenski, Max Meizlish

The Iran war has given Trump his best hand against China — now he shouldn’t fold

President Donald Trump should say the quiet part out loud: China’s years of economic, technological and diplomatic support for Iran did not merely underwrite the regime’s malign activity. It accelerated...

March 27, 2026 | RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Richard Goldberg, Max Meizlish, Joe Dougherty

The Strait of Hormuz: The Military, Energy, and Economic Challenges

March 19, 2026 | Jack Burnham |

Japanese Prime Minister Looks To Balance Regional Issues With Iran War During Meeting With Trump

Tokyo is looking to support the United States during its ongoing war with Iran. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with President Donald Trump on March 19 to discuss the possibility of...

March 17, 2026 | Jack Burnham |

Domestic Politics May Impede Vietnam’s Growing Relationship With the U.S.

Vietnam is performing a balancing act, but it’s unclear how long it can keep the plates spinning. On March 16, Vietnam held its first ever “3+3” summit with China, a meeting that featured both...

March 17, 2026 | Craig Singleton |

Prolonging the war with Iran could strengthen China’s hand

But a short, decisive campaign could cause Beijing to think twice about taking Taiwan.

October 28, 2022 | Samantha Ravich, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

China’s Accelerating CEEW Campaign

February 10, 2022 | Emily de La Bruyère, Nathan Picarsic

Elemental Strategy

Countering the Chinese Communist Party’s Efforts to Dominate the Rare Earth Industry