Africa

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh President Donald Trump has never disguised his admiration for strong-willed leaders. His vision of political stature is less about diplomatic elegance and more about a leader’s personal toughness and willingness to assert power unapologetically. This worldview dramatically shapes his approach to foreign policy, particularly in …

Effrina Antessa In an increasingly connected world, conflict does not always manifest itself through the sound of gunfire. Instead, the most destructive threats now operate silently: data is stolen, public opinion is manipulated, and national economies are undermined without a single shot being fired. I believe that non-kinetic …

Over the past two decades, Southeast Asia has faced a conflict that is no longer overt but has left behind a trail of escalating tensions. These tensions stem from actions that fall into a “gray zone,” carried out gradually and systematically. This strategy has been used by China …

Nyimas Khoirun Nisa In an era where nearly all activity has shifted to the digital space, terrorism has also evolved. Terrorists no longer need territory to establish training camps, ideological teachers, or secret meetings in the middle of the night. All they need now is an internet connection, …

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 …

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, …

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of 17 metallic elements that have become indispensable to modern technology and defense industries. Although they are not truly “rare” in the Earth’s crust, they are difficult to find in concentrated deposits and are expensive to separate and refine. The group …

Almost a decade ago, I would have wagered my entire wealth on the defeat of candidate Donald Trump in the primaries of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. My premises were clear: presidential elections should be contests among politicians, of which the U.S. has an abundance, making it unlikely …