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June 15, 2010 | The Safety of Europe is Tied to United States Debt

The United States’ rising debt runs the risk of creating a security threat for Europe.  ++ “Should [Europe] continue to rely on the US? Should it bolster its armed forces to become self-reliant? Or should it seek out a new security partnership – perhaps a grand bargain with Russia or even with Middle Eastern states opposed to both Israel and the US?” ++ Since no

June 1, 2010 | Obama Embraces a New Realpolitik

Obama’s national security strategy is less ambitious and less idealistic than his predecessor’s, acknowledging the limits of American power and de-emphasizing the use of force to spread democracy. ++ Importantly, the strategy does not endorse George W. Bush’s doctrine of pre-emption, but does not rule it out as a last resort. ++ The document is by no means a blueprint for Obama’s foreign policy

May 19, 2010 | A Diplomatic Coup for Iran

“The deal struck Monday by Iran with Brazil and Turkey will do nothing to restrain Tehran’s nuclear program. It could, however, derail the Obama administration’s effort to focus international pressure on Iran and buy the regime more time to enrich uranium and defeat its domestic opposition.” In short the deal is a possible diplomatic coup for Iran. Tehran must be made to abandon its

May 12, 2010 | Karzai Visit Will Accomplish Little

“With little more than a year before Obama’s planned withdrawal, the U.S. military is doing what it always does when faced with an impossible mission on an unrealistic timeline: saluting and muddling through.” ++ Afghan President Karzai travels to Washington this week in an effort to repair recently-strained relations with Washington, to this end even penning an op-ed in

April 14, 2010 | Supplementing Obama's Nuclear Strategy

President Obama’s efforts toward a world free of nuclear weapons will fail unless he concentrates on the underlying motives for countries obtaining nuclear arms. ++ Fear of a real or perceived enemy, aggression to control others, and a desire for nuclear “prestige” all play a role in motivating countries to become nuclear-armed. ++ Therefore there is a “need for a greater exercise of America’s

April 14, 2010 | A Realist Take on China; Iran Sanctions

Recent reports that China is prepared to sign onto a tougher United States sanctions regime on Iran are overblown. ++ In reality, there are several compelling reasons why China will continue to “drag its feet” on Iran sanctions: to safeguard access to Iranian oil and gas; a sanguine attitude toward Iranian nuclear development; and a strategic desire to see the United States expend vast amounts

April 7, 2010 | The West Needs Turkey in Europe

Discussions on Turkey’s EU membership tend to neglect the fact that the country’s strategic significance has skyrocketed since the end of the Cold War. From the standpoint of Western interests, Turkey plays a key role in conflict resolution from the Balkans to the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, to the Persian Gulf region. It is hence essential that the United States and the

March 23, 2010 | The US and Pakistan: A Key Strategic Moment

Senior US and Pakistani officials will meet next week in Washington for the first strategic dialogue between the two countries in history. ++ Pakistan, in light of its role in Afghanistan, is hoping to capitalize on its enhanced strategic value to the US to stake out a strong role for itself in post-American Afghanistan, and win support for its Indian policy. ++ Regarding India-Pakistian

March 16, 2010 | Iran Sanctions Don't Stick

“Sanctions are a sign of a failed policy.” ++ The Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, currently under consideration in the United States Congress, targets Iran’s civilian economy and will likely accomplish little in reshaping Iran’s behavior. ++ Sanctions do have their place, but only within a context of a broader policy of engagement and pressure. ++ Continuing to rely on

March 11, 2010 | Ten Suggestions for Strengthening Transatlantic Ties

The United States and Europe urgently need to reconsider their relationship. There is room for redefining and improving the nature of relations across the Atlantic. Both the United States and Europe should make use of existing opportunities to recast the transatlantic partnership. Action on the following ten topics would greatly strengthen transatlantic ties:

A transatlantic solidarity pledge:

March 9, 2010 | Adding Teeth to Iran Sanctions

The Obama administration is currently working on new UN sanctions designed to cut off funding to Iranian nuclear and missile activities, as well as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s vast network of companies. ++ Chinese participation is a crucial component to any sanctions regime, yet so far, US overtures to Beijing to sign onto its sanctions campaign have been met with little success. ++