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
A Belarusian athlete arrives at an international airport.
A Belarusian athlete arrives at an international airport.

The Geopolitical Stakes of Olympic Perfection—and Defection

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
bezos rocket
bezos rocket

Can the World Avoid War in Cyberspace—and in Space?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Performers dressed as soldiers dance in front of a screen showing rockets being launched during a mass gala marking the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party on June 28 at the Olympic Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, China.
Performers dressed as soldiers dance in front of a screen showing rockets being launched during a mass gala marking the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party on June 28 at the Olympic Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, China.

Does Beijing’s Belligerent Birthday Party Herald a New Arms Race?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Swiss President Guy Parmelin (C) leads U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet media during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. Biden is meeting his Russian counterpart, Putin, for the first time as president in Geneva, Switzerland.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin (C) leads U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet media during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. Biden is meeting his Russian counterpart, Putin, for the first time as president in Geneva, Switzerland.

Was the Biden-Putin Summit a Success?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Cornwall Airport in Cornwall, England, on June 9.
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Cornwall Airport in Cornwall, England, on June 9.

What’s the Point of the G-7?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
A woman holds a banner during a protest against the detention of the Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021 in Warsaw, Poland.
A woman holds a banner during a protest against the detention of the Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021 in Warsaw, Poland.

Can Biden Do Anything About Belarus?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Firefighters extinguish fire in Acre, Israel.
Firefighters extinguish fire in Acre, Israel.

Can Biden Pivot to Asia While Israel and Gaza Burn?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses Congress.
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses Congress.

Can Biden Sell His Domestic Agenda as a Win Against China?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
biden afghan withdrawal
biden afghan withdrawal

Is Leaving Afghanistan Misguided or Overdue?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Protesters at a vigil in Myanmar.
Protesters at a vigil in Myanmar.

Are U.S. and Chinese Interests Really Opposed in Iran and Myanmar?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Fighter jets preparing to take off from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.
Fighter jets preparing to take off from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.

Great-Power Competition Is a Recipe for Disaster

Argument
Emma Ashford
Peace activists wearing masks pose with mock nuclear missiles.
Peace activists wearing masks pose with mock nuclear missiles.

Will Biden’s Approach to China and Russia Work?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi (R), in Tehran, on Feb. 21.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi (R), in Tehran, on Feb. 21.

Who’s to Blame for Stalling U.S.-Iran Negotiations?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Army soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division arrive home from a 9-month deployment in Afghanistan on Dec. 8, 2020 at Fort Drum, New York.
U.S. Army soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division arrive home from a 9-month deployment in Afghanistan on Dec. 8, 2020 at Fort Drum, New York.

Should Biden Ditch All of Trump’s Policies?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping toast during a State Luncheon for China hosted on September 25, 2015 at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping toast during a State Luncheon for China hosted on September 25, 2015 at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Will Biden Have to Choose Between U.S. Interests and Human Rights?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
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