Biden’s Ukraine Policy is Less than Meets the Eye
Behind the lofty rhetoric lies a sobering question: Does the White House truly want Ukraine to win? The answer is less clear-cut than it appears.
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China Policy Monitor No. 1572
Xi: Chinese women must start "new trend of family";
Rich Chinese move themselves, assets out of the PRC;
More Chinese are braving Panama's jungle to reach the U.S.;
Popular social media users must reveal their identities;
PLA General: China will "crush foreign interference," "severely punish" Taiwan secessionists
Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-power War and Sino-US Competition
As Sino-US relations have deteriorated, concerns have grown in Washington over its ability to defeat China in a major conflict.
A Case for a Full Israeli Victory over Hamas in Gaza
Israel is facing all-too-predictable global pressure to scale back its military operation in Gaza to spare innocent lives and prevent a regional conflict that could draw in Iran, the United States, and other nations.
Ukraine Reform Monitor No. 5
How America is thinking about Ukrainian corruption;
Seeking Europe's approval;
Desperately seeking new judges
China Policy Monitor No. 1571
Spy chiefs warn of Chinese espionage on an "epic scale";
China, Pakistan sign $7 billion rail deal;
Beijing elevates ties with Taliban at BRF;
Sri Lanka reaches $4.2 billion debt deal with China;
China officially renames "Tibet" as "Xizang"
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2607
A cold shoulder for Moscow at Turtle Bay;
Ukraine and Israel: a common fight;
More pressure on Team Navalny;
A new source of military conscripts;
How European firms are circumventing sanctions on Russia
The Genius of Their Age: Ibn Sina, Biruni, and the Lost Enlightenment
ted the works of Ibn Sina and Biruni, S. Frederick Starr focuses also on their lives and the times in which they lived. By contextualizing their work and by making the age palpable to the reader, S. Frederick Starr gives the achievements of Ibn Sina and Biruni a holistic and unforgettably human dimension.
The Gaza Ground War: What to Expect
Israel shouldn't wait to invade Gaza City.
China Policy Monitor No. 1570
China's campaign of harassment;
Former Bank of China boss arrested;
China's first hydrogen-powered ship sets sail;
China deports hundreds of North Koreans;
Set free, Cheng Lei welcomed back in Australia
Information Warfare Watch No. 25
The downside of monetizing X;
How AI is turbocharging disinformation;
China stokes the disinformation fires;
Indonesia protects its economy... by banning TikTok
Israel’s New War is Part of Iran’s Strategic Plan
Ever since the Hamas terrorist group carried out its savage campaign against Israel nearly two weeks ago, countless observers have nervously watched the start of what, as of this writing, stands as a real risk of spiraling into a regional war.
Challenging Moscow’s Message
In CHALLENGING MOSCOW'S MESSAGE, Ilan Berman examines the strategic logic underpinning Russia's extensive use of propaganda and disinformation, and evaluates the effectiveness of the institutions erected by a range of Western governments over the past decade in response.
It’s Time to Drop ‘Eurasia’
With its roots in Russian imperialism, the concept of Eurasianism isn't as benign as many believe.
A New Spring for Caspian Transit and Trade
Major recent shifts, starting with the Taliban victory in Afghanistan and Russia’s war in Ukraine have led to a resurgence of the Trans-Caspian transportation corridor. This corridor, envisioned in the 1990s, has been slow to come to fruition, but has now suddenly found much-needed support. The obstacles to a rapid expansion of the corridor’s capacity are nevertheless considerable, given the underinvestment in its capacity over many years.
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2606
More drift on arms control;
What makes Putin tick?
A new Black Sea naval base;
Repurposing Russia's funds
What Was Hamas Thinking?
Unlike its previous encounters with Israel, Hamas may have unleashed an unlimited war that would culminate in the group’s utter destruction.
America’s Iran policy needs a reset
A massive foreign policy scandal recently shook official Washington when two news outlets, Semafor and Iran International, revealed the sordid details of a long-running—and extensive—Iranian influence operation.
China Policy Monitor No. 1569
Liechtenstein thwarts China's efforts to compete with Starlink;
Indonesia launches China-backed high-speed railway;
China and Brazil start trading national currencies;
Belgium suspects Alibaba of espionage;
DOJ announces indictments against Chinese fentanyl suppliers
On Ukraine, Biden needs to step up and make the case before it’s too late
At this inflection point, with Congress having excluded aid to Ukraine from the funding bill keeping the government running, the time seems right for President Biden to make a high-profile speech that outlines America’s stakes in Ukraine and addresses the “America First” arguments against them.
AFPC Iran Strategy Brief no. 14: How Israel Thinks About Iran’s Future
For Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran represents both a cardinal security challenge and an existential danger. The country’s current clerical regime is estimated to be connected to some “80 percent” of the contemporary security problems confronting the Jewish state.[1] These include not only Iran’s increasingly mature nuclear program, but also its extensive sponsorship of extremist proxies throughout the Mideast, as well as the radical expansionist ideology that continues to animate the regime in Tehran.
China Policy Monitor No. 1568
Berlin blocks Chinese firm's takeover of Starlink rival;
China installs "floating barrier" to Scarborough Shoal;
China spy agencies head-hunting well-placed British nationals;
Retired British pilots face prosecution for training Chinese pilots;
U.S. accuses China of global media manipulation
Russia Policy Monitor 2605
The view from Moscow;
Wagner back under control - and back in Ukraine?;
Russia plans for a long war;
Moscow strengthens its ties to Tehran;
Beefing up the ranks...again
Crimea in Putin’s War: What You Need to Know
Any political effort to resolve Russia’s war against Ukraine must reckon with the special circumstances of Crimea.
The Imperative for United States Engagement in a Global Space Debris Cleanup Program
The United States should proactively engage with other nations and initiate a comprehensive program to clean up the space debris problem.
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2604
Speculation surrounds Chechnya's strongman;
A deepening gold trade with Abu Dhabi;
The high cost of avoiding military service;
More signs of long-term military planning;
A fire sale in Crimea
The West has a massive China spy problem
A bevy of headlines in just the last few weeks concerning Chinese spying should force the West to bolster its China-focused counterintelligence efforts.
Ukraine Reform Monitor No. 4
The buck stops with Zelenskyy;
A divisive determination;
Germany takes stock;
A notable cabinet reshuffle
China Policy Monitor No. 1567
China's Defense Minister disappears;
China uses AI to sow disinformation about Hawaii fires;
UK Parliament researcher arrested amid China spy claims;
Canada launches inquiry into foreign interference;
China, Russia to build border grain terminal
Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 35
Tokyo Fights to Keep the Black Sea Deal Alive;
Manila Pushes to Fast-Track Defense Sits for Washington;
With an Eye on Beijing, Canberra Calibrates Foreign Aid;
Palau Empowers America to Police Its Waters
Israel’s Critics Sidestep Bigger Threats Elsewhere
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week signaled a partial reversal of his coalition’s plan that would threaten the nation’s democratic character by letting the Knesset override judicial decisions, calling the effort a “mistake.”
China Policy Monitor No. 1566
China behind the largest covert propaganda operation ever;
Chinese engineers targeted by Baloch militants in Pakistan;
Russia responds to China's controversial new map;
Professor jailed for measuring party personnel costs
Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 34
Like Ukraine, Taipei looks for internet resiliency;
China, The Solomons deepen cooperation;
Malaysia's BRI woes;
Manila crafts contingency plan for a Taiwan war;
Cambodia's Hun Sen sets up his son as successor
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2603
Guarded optimism about Ukraine's counteroffensive;
A tacit ally in Hanoi;
Moscow and Pyongyang: an "anti-imperial" alliance;
UK puts Wagner on terror list;
Moscow wants a North African foothold
The Space Force Must Lead Without Fighting—And It Starts With the Moon
For more than 30 years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has focused on "warfighting," emphasizing violent combat at the tactical and theater level over other national defense concerns, especially strategically.
China Policy Monitor No. 1565
China Hacks the UK Foreign Office;
Beijing Blocks Intel Acquisition of Israel's Tower Semiconductor;
China's Fertility Rate Drops to Record Low;
Cyberattacks on Japan Prompt U.S. Rebuke;
Cracking Down on Healthcare Corruption
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2602
Russia and North Korea: Official Comity...
...And Unofficial Friction;
Election Season in Ukraine's Unoccupied East;
Viktor Bout's Second Act
A White House Divided on Russia and Ukraine?
Ukrainians are dying today because the Biden administration, paralyzed by the Burns-Sullivan philosophy of appeasement, refuses to act. Is it not high time for Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to do his job and bring Burns and Sullivan under oath to account for their private and secretive talks with Putin?
Israeli-Saudi Normalization Won’t Solve The Palestinian Problem
Perhaps Israeli concessions to Palestinians are a price that Jerusalem must pay for Israeli-Saudi normalization. But don’t expect Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to produce an actual two-state solution any time soon.
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2601
New nuclear moves from Moscow;
The limits of Turkish diplomacy;
New attention to Russia's nukes;
Wagner's uncertain future
How and why the Pentagon is laying the groundwork for an economy on the Moon
The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has just launched a study called LunA-10 to explore infrastructure needs for a future lunar economy. The aim is to kick-start an economy on the Moon in the next 10 years.
Information Warfare Watch No. 24
Moscow works to derail Sweden's NATO bid;
Hezbollah's new propaganda vehicle;
The problem with paid Twitter;
Indoctrination, Russian style
Africa Political Monitor No. 28
Niger Coup: Europeans look for an exit;
...As Washington mulls pulling up stakes...
...While ECOWAS threatens consequences...
...And the African Union suspends Niamey;
The AU leaves Somalia, creating security challenges;
Uganda's troubling trajectory;
A way out of Kenya's unrest
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2600
Moscow still shooting for the stars;
Wagner needs to bend the knee;
Prigozhin's people eye the exits;
Wagner's replacements?;
A requiem for Prigozhin
China Policy Monitor No. 1564
Beijing Dispatches Finance Experts to Tackle Provincial Debts;
Market Failure in China's Universities;
Pla Scientists Make Laser Breakthrough;
China Seen Largely Negatively in 24-Country Survey;
Taiwan Vice President Defiant During U.S. Stopover
Moscow’s African Footprint In Flux
Africa undeniably represents a major strategic prize... Russia’s extensive investments – especially in light of its ongoing war in Ukraine – reflect a recognition of this reality. Yet how its African profile evolves in the years ahead will depend a great deal on its ability to continue to build ties with, and quell doubts in, regional capitals on the continent.
China Policy Monitor No. 1563
China to mobilize entire nation in counter-espionage;
Taiwan investigates leaks;
Two U.S. sailors arrested for spying for China;
Few foreigners visiting China;
China says it exposed a U.S. spy
South Asia Strategy Monitor No. 10
Pakistan's electoral uncertainty;
India's space ambitions surge forward;
Taking Pakistan's airport private;
Second thoughts about the Iran-Pakistan pipeline
Russia Policy Monitor No. 2599
How Russia has adapted to western sanctions;
Worries over a sliding ruble...
...As experts take stock of the Russian economy;
A different kind of college education
Ukraine Reform Monitor No. 3
Zelenskyy doubles down...;
...and targets military corruption;
Belatedly, Kyiv makes energy fix;;
Fast-tracking weapons - and graft?