Category: Blogs

US sanctions on Syria aren’t working. It’s time for a new sanctions approach that minimizes humanitarian suffering and increases leverage.

By Karam Shaar and Said Dimashqi

Before making concessions, the United States can increase its leverage in Syria by dedicating resources to make use of the smart sanctions that US policymakers have already developed.

State of the Order: Assessing December 2022

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

No ‘pivot’ needed: The US can secure Europe and Asia at the same time

By Andrew A. Michta

The argument for a “pivot to Asia” at the expense of the European pillar of American grand strategy reflects a fundamental misreading of US history and interests.

How the US and its allies should respond to evolving space threats

By Forward Defense experts

Adversaries are changing the ways they disrupt or destroy US and allied space operations. Our experts give their sense of the latest challenges to security.

The West reaps multiple benefits from backing Ukraine against Russia

By Taras Kuzio

Ukraine is often viewed as being heavily reliant on Western support but the relationship is mutually beneficial and provides the West with enhanced security along with valuable intelligence, writes Taras Kuzio.

Post-war Ukraine needs a smart digital transformation strategy

By Anatoly Motkin

The war with Russia is far from over but it is important to begin looking ahead and setting the stage for Ukraine's post-war digital transformation, writes StrategEast Center president Anatoly Motkin.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are cooperating with the Taliban. But their approaches to Afghanistan are different. 

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco and Kristian P. Alexander

All Gulf Cooperation Council states have come to terms with the reality of Taliban rule in Afghanistan since August 2021 and must pragmatically deal with the situation on the ground.

Soccer players versus the IRGC. Who do the people of Iran choose?

By Arash Azizi

Iranians know who their national heroes are.

Is the US military becoming a hollow force, and is it time for a strategic course correction?

By Harlan Ullman

To take on the challenges of an unaffordable, unsustainable military, the US needs to rethink its global posture.

Putin’s faltering Ukraine invasion exposes limits of Russian propaganda

By Victor Tregubov

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was supposed to be a short and victorious war. Instead, it has transformed him into a pariah and shattered Russia’s reputation as a military superpower. How could he have got it so wrong?