Post Archives

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have grown into significant middle powers over the past decades. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) nimbly exercise strategic autonomy through economic might, careful multi-alignment, credible self-defense strategic assets, and constructive diplomacy on the world stage. What can be called “the Khaleeji social […]

The United States has led the multilateral system for 80 years. While its engagement should not diminish, it is time for the United States to advance bold reforms to overcome the dysfunction in central parts of the multilateral system. The multilateral system, and the contributions the United States makes to it, must make America stronger, […]

The United States is entering a period of escalating great power competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China poses a unique challenge due to its rapid accumulation of military, economic, and development power worldwide. Competition with China will rely far more on economic tools, especially development finance, trade, investment, and digital technologies. This […]

Illiberalism is on the rise in the Americas. The region, once a bastion of post-Cold War democracy with countries like Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay forging strong liberal institutions after overthrowing dictators, is experiencing a period of democratic backsliding. Recent developments include growing corruption and the democratic election of strongmen, coupled with deteriorations in the rule […]

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is more economically powerful, militarily capable, and politically connected than at any time in the past, and its growing national power increasingly poses a threat to U.S. and Western interests in the Indo-Pacific. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which frequently draws upon historical global oppression of China—like the Century […]

The Western Hemisphere influences the prosperity of the United States (U.S.) more directly than any other region in the world. As a result, U.S. policies are designed to promote a secure, middle-class, and democratic landscape within Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, the erosion of democratic norms and the emergence of illiberal states in […]

Since the early 2000s, the governments of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Qatar have become increasingly important actors in the humanitarian system. KSA, the UAE, and Kuwait have each regularly been among the top ten donors in the world and provided a majority of assistance in several major crises. While […]

The diplomatic and economic relations of Gulf governments have undergone a serious shift in the 21st century as the Gulf’s largest source of trade and biggest oil export destination has flipped from the US to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The growing PRC economy and the PRC’s massive population have driven sky-high energy consumption […]

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine poses a clear existential threat to Ukraine’s state sovereignty and the U.S.-led international order. Russia’s war has challenged the accepted post-World War II order that has helped to shape international security, diplomatic norms, and the humanitarian environment. A subsequent Russian victory would legitimize its territorial aggression, directly challenge the European […]

In his first foreign policy address at the State Department, President Biden declared that “America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy.” Over the past two years, the United States has re–engaged with international organizations, reinforced traditional security alliances, and worked with allies and partners to address common global challenges. Although some Trump–era policies remain […]