Publications

End Game in Central Asia

June 26, 2023 S. Frederick Starr AFPC Insights

Central Asians have no intention to roll back their ties with their large neighbors, but seek rather to balance them with ties with the West... America now has before it what may be the last, best chance to prevent the region from being dominated by autocratic outsiders.

China Reform Monitor No. 1554

June 26, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

German fighter pilots are training PLA pilots in China; 

U.S. sanctions Chinese firms over fentanyl-making equipment; 

Thousands of China Muslims defend their mosque; 

Chinese fighter jet buzzes U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft; 

Chinese warship nearly collides with U.S. with U.S. destroyer in Taiwan Strait 

A Roadmap for Taking on Tehran

June 23, 2023 Lawrence J. Haas Newsweek

With Washington resuming indirect talks with Tehran over its nuclear program, opponents of the 2015 nuclear deal in the United States and abroad are raising legitimate fears that Washington will provide the Islamic Republic with sanctions relief while getting little, if anything, in return. And who can blame them?

China Reform Monitor No. 1553

June 19, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

North Korea builds China border wall;
China's youth unemployment hits record high;
China's spies sought to infiltrate Alaskan military bases;
Chinese hackers hit Kenya's government;
China simulates hypersonic strike on U.S. carrier group

China Reform Monitor No.1552

June 12, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

Missions in China warned over "propaganda" displays;
Canada expels PRC diplomat for gathering intel on MP's family;
Amsterdam should "push europe to uphold strategic autonomy";
China closes thousands of websites and removes dozens of apps;
Mexican President offers proof China shipping illegal fentanyl

Seeing Our Adversaries With Clear Eyes

June 9, 2023 Lawrence J. Haas 19fortyfive.com

To be sure, our leaders must engage not just with democratic allies but with autocrats in Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and elsewhere. Presidents are wise to seek meetings in which to enunciate our values, delineate our priorities, glean what we can from our adversaries, and seek cooperation when possible.

The Ukraine Peace Offensive

June 2, 2023 James S. Robbins AFPC Insights

In some respects, the diplomatic peace offensive is as important as the Ukrainian ground offensive, because conflict termination will ultimately come from the bargaining table and not the battlefield. This phase of the conflict is critical.

New Rules in Israel’s North

May 16, 2023 Ilan I. Berman Newsweek

Between mid-March and mid-April, Israel's northern frontier experienced its worst spasm of instability in over a decade-and-a-half. On March 13, an armed extremist connected to Hezbollah infiltrated the country and blew up a car at the Megiddo junction, some 50 miles south of the Israeli-Lebanese border. Three weeks later, over the Passover holiday, the Hamas terrorist group launched a salvo of 36 rockets from Lebanese territory against towns and civilian populations in the western Galilee, wounding several and damaging local infrastructure. Two days after that, rockets were launched at Israel from Syria as well.

China Reform Monitor No. 1550

May 15, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

Hong Kong eliminates most elected seats;
Scholz's push for China port deal triggers pushback;
China cracks down on foreign firms, cuts their access to info;
Facing a lack of recruits, China revises conscription law;
U.S. Seeks to "De-risk" its relationship with China: Sullivan

China Reform Monitor No. 1549

May 11, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

Iran in talks with China to acquire sanctioned missile fuel;
China censors AI; 
India's villages program in Arunachal Pradesh angers China;
China's tightening grip on foreign firms hits investment;
China's expands its anti-espionage law

Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 31

May 4, 2023 Blake Kravitz

Biden, Yoon bolster American extended deterrence in South Korea;
Japan funds energy project on India’s strategic islands...;
...While Burma paves the way for Chinese planes;
Washington and Manila train to control critical waterway;
White House woos the Solomons, while Honiara delays elections

Africa Political Monitor No. 24

May 3, 2023 Jordan Savage

South Africa poised to deport thousands of Zimbabweans;
Zambia in trouble over Chinese debt;
Seeking press freedom in the Sahel;
Americans eye the exits as Sudan's civil war worsens;
Still hope for America in Africa

Israel needs to refocus abroad

April 24, 2023 Lawrence J. Haas The Hill

“Never interfere with an enemy in the process of destroying himself,” Napoleon once said. That’s a lesson Jerusalem needs to learn quickly, and Washington needs to reinforce, as Israel’s regional challenges escalate while the Jewish state is splintering over an ill-timed debate on judicial reform.

Russia’s Independent Media Diaspora Needs Our Support

April 18, 2023 Ilan I. Berman Newsweek

With the outbreak of the Ukraine war more than a year ago, Russia's already unfree media sphere has constricted precipitously. New regulations and constraints imposed by a Kremlin desperate to control the narrative about its "special military operation" have made independent journalism virtually impossible inside the country, and precipitated a mass exodus of journalists, producers, and opposition media figures to locations in Europe and beyond.

China Reform Monitor No. 1548

April 18, 2023 Joshua Eisenman

Xi abandons Japan's claim to Russian-held Isles;
Mexico asks China to stop fentanyl precursor exports;
China renames places along the disputed Indian border;
China delaying high-level meetings with the United Sates;
China appoints Shanghai Bishop, violating pact with the Vatican