Category: Blogs

A Roadmap for Donald Trump

From the outset of his administration, US President-elect Donald Trump must develop a coherent foreign policy and national security strategy which establishes a clear US stance on the world stage, deters adversaries, and reassure allies, former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright said on January 10. While acknowledging the value of a new perspective, Albright, […]

Democrats Making a Mistake by Looking for a ‘Scapegoat’ for Clinton’s Loss, says Trump Advisor

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A senior national security advisor to US President-elect Donald Trump said on January 10 that the Democrats are making a mistake by looking for a “scapegoat” on which to blame Hillary Clinton’s presidential election defeat. “For anybody who wants to blame the loss of Hillary Clinton or the Democrats… you are making a mistake if […]

America Needs a Strong NATO Alliance

By Kelly Ayotte, Real Clear Defense

Despite the shortcomings of many of our allies, in light of Russian aggression and growing transnational cyber and Islamist terrorist threats, a strong and unified NATO alliance remains vital to American national security interests….

Trump Must Stand Up to Russian Cyberattacks

In light of the intelligence report unequivocally attributing cyberattacks during the US presidential election to Russia, US President-elect Donald Trump must take stock of the magnitude and implications of the Kremlin’s actions, and react appropriately, according to John E. Herbst, director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center. “We are facing Mr. Putin, a […]

Ten Things You Should Know about Russian Involvement in Ukraine

By Vitalii Rybak

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies involvement in the conflict in Ukraine’s east. Despite his continued denials of Russia’s involvement in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), a growing body of evidence casts doubts on his claims. Here are ten things everyone needs to know about Russian involvement in Ukraine. 1. […]

The Fight for Ukraine Is Still Not Over

By Ilya Yashin

Russian President Vladimir Putin uses a broad array of tools to keep Ukraine in Russia’s sphere of influence and destabilize Ukraine’s current government. These tools include propaganda, financial support of loyal parties and journalists, corruption, economic pressure, political blackmail, and direct military intervention. Others have documented these tools well. I see four ways Putin is […]

‘America First Looks a Lot Like America Alone’

By Philip Stephens, Financial Times

Forget historic entanglements, alliances and enmities: after Mr Trump’s inauguration next week, the world’s most powerful nation will make its own rules. America First looks a lot like America Alone….

European Allies Appeal to Donald Trump Through Letter

By Josh Rogin, Washington Post

Have no doubt: Vladimir Putin is not America’s ally. Neither is he a trustworthy international partner….

Trump’s National Security Advisor Seeks to Reassure Allies

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President-elect Donald Trump’s national security advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, on January 10 sought to reassure US allies of the incoming administration’s commitment to alliances. Flynn said the incoming National Security Council’s mission, guided by Trump’s vision to “make America great again,” will be supported by an overarching policy of “peace through […]

What’s Behind Labeling the Events in Syria a “Civil War”?

By Hasan Arfeh

Many changes have taken place in the editorial practices of global and Arab media regarding Syria since the start of the 2011 revolution against the regime. But one shift which has become fixed—especially in the West—is describing what is occurring in the country as a civil war. This term began to appear in major international […]