Emma Ashford

Emma Ashford is a columnist at Foreign Policy and a senior fellow with the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University, and the author of Oil, the State, and War.

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Articles by Emma Ashford
An illustration shows Donald Trump's face on a historical drawing of Andrew Jackson astride a horse. A hand tips a hat. Trump's face smirks and looks to the side.
An illustration shows Donald Trump's face on a historical drawing of Andrew Jackson astride a horse. A hand tips a hat. Trump's face smirks and looks to the side.

If Trump Is Neither Hawk nor Dove, What Is He?

Argument
Emma Ashford
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, May 28, 2025.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, May 28, 2025.

Trump Lacks the Patience for Peace

Argument
Emma Ashford
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 28.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 28.

Trump’s Choice on Iran

Analysis
Emma Ashford
With Jared Kushner to his left, Donald Trump listens to the rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 22, 2017.
With Jared Kushner to his left, Donald Trump listens to the rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 22, 2017.

Trump Isn’t Following the Script on Israel

Analysis
Emma Ashford
A drawn illustration of a Trump whirlwind on a red background
A drawn illustration of a Trump whirlwind on a red background

Four Explanatory Models for Trump’s Chaos

Analysis
Emma Ashford
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an executive order signing event at the White House in Washington on March 31.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an executive order signing event at the White House in Washington on March 31.

Over and Out

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk wields a chainsaw as he leaves the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 20.
CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk wields a chainsaw as he leaves the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 20.

What You Gonna Do When DOGE Comes for You?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress on Mar. 4.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress on Mar. 4.

Is the World Overreacting to Trump?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance meet on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Feb. 14.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance meet on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Feb. 14.

Is the United States Europe’s Ally or Adversary?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 4, 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 4, 2025.

Will Trump Make Gaza or Greenland the 51st State?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a "Make America Great Again" rally at Aaron Bessant Amphitheater in Panama City Beach, Florida on May 8, 2019.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a "Make America Great Again" rally at Aaron Bessant Amphitheater in Panama City Beach, Florida on May 8, 2019.

Will Trump End America’s Wars—or Start New Ones?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
A German soldier stands atop a truck as he and others unload a U.S-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system in Jasionka, Poland, on Jan. 23.
A German soldier stands atop a truck as he and others unload a U.S-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system in Jasionka, Poland, on Jan. 23.

Europe Isn’t Ready for Trump 2.0

Argument
Emma Ashford, Jennifer Kavanagh
A dove of peace flag is seen during a rally in support of Ukraine, to mark the second year of Russia's military invasion, in Frankfurt, Germany on Feb. 24, 2024.
A dove of peace flag is seen during a rally in support of Ukraine, to mark the second year of Russia's military invasion, in Frankfurt, Germany on Feb. 24, 2024.

Will 2025 Be More Peaceful?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
A man holds his fist in the air and shouts along with a crowd of other men holding placards.
A man holds his fist in the air and shouts along with a crowd of other men holding placards.

8 Simmering Threats You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2025

Roundup
Emma Ashford, Nick Aspinwall, Elisabeth Braw, John R. Deni, Markus Garlauskas, Mina Al-Oraibi, Natia Seskuria, Sushant Singh
The defaced portraits of toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hang above an entrance to a building, reportedly used by the Russian Army, in the Syrian town of Al-Bassah in the Latakia province on Dec. 12.
The defaced portraits of toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hang above an entrance to a building, reportedly used by the Russian Army, in the Syrian town of Al-Bassah in the Latakia province on Dec. 12.

Who Were the Winners and Losers of 2024?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
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