Russia, China, and Iran deepen ties with naval drill
Russia, Iran, and China have conducted at least four naval drills in the past. However, this year’s are larger, and they come amidst rising tensions in the Red Sea and off the coast of Yemen.
Kazakhstan
As NATO gets stronger, Russia’s version of NATO is falling apart
Sweden joined NATO last month, ending two centuries of neutrality. Its accession comes just shy of NATO’s 75th anniversary. While Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped to fracture NATO and...
Op-eds
Kleptocrats in democracy’s clothing: Beijing and Moscow talk anti-corruption at the UN
Redefining terms like anti-corruption, human rights, democracy, and integrity — even when self-evidently disingenuous — provides China the cover to mimic the mechanisms of good governance while blunting...
Op-eds
A New Spring for Caspian Transit and Trade
View Full Memo ...
Memos
Russia failed to weaken NATO — but its own security alliance is now falling apart
Vladimir Putin has been candid about his intentions to dismantle NATO and discredit Article 5 of the alliance’s founding treaty, in which members pledge to defend each other from...
Op-eds
Insecurity in the Black Sea Puts Upward Pressure on the Global Oil Market
The global oil price is edging toward $100 a barrel. If oil remains high, it will be difficult to bring inflation down. Most blame the Saudi Arabian and Russian oil cuts for the price increase and ignore...
Op-eds
Beware of Falling BRICS
With the BRICS Summit coming to a close, it is unclear what has been accomplished.
Op-eds
The problem with Republican isolationism
Abandoning Ukraine is no way to make America great again
Op-eds
Iran Becomes Full Member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Iran officially became the ninth member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi participating in the organization’s virtual summit on July 4. Iran’s...
Flash Briefs
Meet Xi and Putin’s Hired Gun Inside the UN
If your dictatorship is facing U.S. or EU sanctions, you can count on Alena Douhan to announce that Western governments are the real human rights violators.
Op-eds
Time to Expose Putin as an Unreliable Ally
Fresh hostilities broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region last week. As a result, nearly 100 people have been killed in the busiest week of violence in the region since 2020....
Op-eds
It’s Time for NATO to Help the Baltics
Russian hackers have launched cyberattacks against Lithuania for its enforcement of EU sanctions against Kaliningrad.
Op-eds
How Russia Could Earn Billions From Biden’s Revival of the Nuclear Deal With Iran
The Biden administration has two goals that are at odds with each other. It wants to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia, and it wants to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The problem is the 2015...
Insights
Vandenberg Coalition Afghanistan Working Group Report
Executive Summary The Vandenberg Coalition Afghanistan Working Group convened a diverse group of national security professionals to develop policy recommendations for the Biden administration and Congress...
Memos
Putin Just Pushed the World Into an Even Bigger Energy Crisis
Even without sanctions, Russia’s war will increase the shortage of oil and gas.
Op-eds
Biden Can Reset the UN’s Discriminatory Approach to Israel
The United States led when it persuaded the General Assembly to repeal its 1975 vote declaring Zionism to be racism. It should now actively and decisively lead the effort to end the Commission of Inquiry, which the UNHRC created to conclude essentially the same thing.
Op-eds
Biden’s left banker
A nominee with a colorful story and ‘radical’ beliefs
Op-eds
Iran Joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) unanimously agreed on Friday to elevate Iran to full membership. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s entry into the SCO strengthens Tehran’s relationships...
Policy Briefs
To Get at Lukashenko, Punish His ‘Moneybags’
To impress the Belarusian dictator, go after his and his associates’ wealth.
Op-eds
Iran’s Longstanding Cooperation with Armenia
Domestic Azerbaijani Opposition May be Rising