Foreign Policy Blogs

Defense & Security

Risky Business: Pyongyang’s Dangerous Gamble

Risky Business: Pyongyang’s Dangerous Gamble

After protracted negotiations, China has finally withdrawn its opposition, joining in the UN Security Council’s unanimous decision to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea in response to its recent nuclear and ballistic missile test.

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Saudi Arabia’s Dangerous Gambit in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s Dangerous Gambit in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend $4 billion in military aid to Lebanon is the latest example of a meddlesome foreign power attempting to undermine Lebanese sovereignty to advance its own political agenda.

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Assessing the Risk of an ISIS “Dirty Bomb”

Assessing the Risk of an ISIS “Dirty Bomb”

ISIS’ potential acquisition of radioactive material puts forward a scenario in which the extremist group may try to produce and use a “dirty bomb”.

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The Twilight of President Park’s Trustpolitik

The Twilight of President Park’s Trustpolitik

During her recent address to the National Assembly, President Park stressed her intention to adopt a more assertive strategy toward the North Korean regime.

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“China Seeks Hegemony in East Asia”

“China Seeks Hegemony in East Asia”

In an appearance on Tuesday before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command stated: “I believe China seeks hegemony in East Asia.”

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Closing Kaesong: Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Closing Kaesong: Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

On February 10, 2016, South Korea decided to shut down the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC). Seoul’s decision followed North Korea’s alleged hydrogen bomb test on January 6 and its long-range missile launch one month later.

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Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

On January 12, 2016, 10 U.S. sailors were detained by Iran’s Navy and later released. Can Iran’s behavior in its territorial waters be considered justifiable or in accordance with international law?

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Should ISIS Fighters be Allowed to Return Home?

Should ISIS Fighters be Allowed to Return Home?

Since preventing terrorist acts is extremely difficult—why take any chances by allowing fighters to return?

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China’s Military Pivot to Africa just got Serious

China’s Military Pivot to Africa just got Serious

The Chinese foreign ministry recently announced that China would be setting up a “logistical facility” in the East African country of Djibouti.

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Saudi-Iranian ‘Cold War’ Uses Sectarianism As Tool

Saudi-Iranian ‘Cold War’ Uses Sectarianism As Tool

Following Saudi Arabia’s execution of the Shiite Cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, observers of the Middle East are pondering a multitude of eventualities, many of which point to a hot conflict between the two regional powers.

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Beijing and Washington: An Uneasy Balance in the Korean Peninsula

Beijing and Washington: An Uneasy Balance in the Korean Peninsula

On Sunday, Pyongyang launched a long-range missile. While China still opposes expanding sanctions on North Korea, Washington has recently stressed its determination to support South Korea and Japan against the North’s nuclear threat.

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What Can Washington Do About North Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions?

What Can Washington Do About North Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions?

This week, military tensions and international concerns reached an unprecedented level in the Korean Peninsula after the United States deployed a B-52 bomber in response to North Korea’s recent nuclear test. 

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Did Iran Ever Actually Violate The Nonproliferation Treaty? Does It Matter?

Did Iran Ever Actually Violate The Nonproliferation Treaty? Does It Matter?

The IAEA’s final report left many observers dissatisfied: reactions to it tended to reflect people’s preexisting attitudes toward the issue.

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Russia’s S-400 Missile and Putin’s Iron Dome

Russia’s S-400 Missile and Putin’s Iron Dome

In the aftermath of the incident with Turkey, the next generation of Russian surface-to-air missile that concerned U.S. officials for so many years is now being deployed in Syria.

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Refugees Are The Wrong Target for U.S. Politicians

Refugees Are The Wrong Target for U.S. Politicians

In the wake of the Paris attacks, American politicians of all stripes are rushing to burnish their security credentials. In their proposals they are undermining the one measure that might exhibit America’s basic motives in Syria, while adding nothing to U.S. security

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