Asia Pacific

Peter Suciu As the US Navy positions military vessels around Venezuela, China has deployed a hospital ship to Nicaragua—hoping to contrast its display of soft power with American militarism. The United States military’s buildup in the US Southern Command area of responsibility (USSOUTHCOM AOR) to counter narco-terrorists operating …

Leon Hadar A more independent Israeli foreign policy toward Washington would improve both the US and Israeli positions in the Middle East. Has Israel evolved from an independent nation-state into something resembling a province within an American informal empire? The question is uncomfortable for both American and Israeli …

Tariffs, aid reduction, and diplomatic understaffing are eroding US influence, and critical mineral deals alone won’t revive it. Editor’s Note: The Red Cell series is published in collaboration with the Stimson Center. Drawing upon the legacy of the CIA’s Red Cell—established following the September 11 attacks to avoid …

Seth J. Frantzman The Trump administration is playing a key role in winding down conflicts throughout the Middle East. However, high-level engagement is also fraught with risks. The United States is playing an increasingly significant role in several countries in the region. In several cases, the White House …

Emily Day Nuclear Energy Now tracks the latest nuclear energy developments across technology, diplomacy, industry trends, and geopolitics. China Advances Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Technology China has reached an important milestone in advanced reactor development with the world’s first successful conversion of thorium–uranium fuel in an operating molten salt reactor. The …

Maya Carlin The Rafale will undoubtedly elevate Ukraine’s defensive efforts against Russia. Ukraine’s defensive arsenal against Russia continues to grow. From main battle tanks and airframes to drones and infantry fighting vehicles, Kyiv has received billions of dollars’ worth of military aid and equipment from the United States …

Abdulla Al Junaid US-Saudi ties need real momentum behind them, not just a series of business deals and continued discussion about Israeli normalization. As Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman touches down in Washington on November 18 for his first visit to the United States in seven years, …

Tridivesh Singh Maini Several countries are beginning to show a keen interest in the BRICS grouping in an increasingly uncertain and turbulent global economic landscape. Five countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are original members of the organization, while six countries have gotten membership of the organization more …

Shai Feldman Only a small few predicted that President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Gaza war would succeed. In the Middle East and especially in the realm of the Arab-Israeli conflict, it has always been safe to bet that peace efforts will fail. Something is bound to …