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 participant takes part on the first day of the 36C3 Chaos Communication Congress on Dec. 27, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. The four-day event under the topic "Resource Exhaustion" brings together about 17,000 hackers, artists, researchers, and technology fans.
A participant takes part on the first day of the 36C3 Chaos Communication Congress on Dec. 27, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. The four-day event under the topic "Resource Exhaustion" brings together about 17,000 hackers, artists, researchers, and technology fans.

Is the Cyberattack Big News—or Just a Footnote In a Year Like No Other?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
President-elect Joe Biden departs after delivering a Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre on Nov. 25 in Wilmington, Delaware. 
President-elect Joe Biden departs after delivering a Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre on Nov. 25 in Wilmington, Delaware. 

Will Biden’s National Security Team Include Members of the Democratic Party’s Progressive Wing?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to present the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne on September 11, 2020 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to present the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne on September 11, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

Will Trump Try to Bomb Iran Before He Leaves the White House?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Counterprotesters debate a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump
Counterprotesters debate a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump

Is an Undecided U.S. Presidential Election a National Security Threat?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Donald Trump, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and moderator, NBC News anchor Kristen Welker, participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and moderator, NBC News anchor Kristen Welker, participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22.

Trump and Biden Are Both Touting Foreign-Policy Failures as Achievements

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participate in the vice presidential debate moderated by Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page at the University of Utah on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence participate in the vice presidential debate moderated by Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page at the University of Utah on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Is a Vice President Who Doesn’t Know Much About Foreign Policy a National Security Risk?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the top of the front steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC on Sept. 24.
The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the top of the front steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC on Sept. 24.

Can the United States’ Democratic Institutions Survive the 2020 Election Campaign?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Aircraft mechanics repair a harrier jet on deck the USS Bonhomme Richard after the formal opening of the annual Philippine-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercises program on Oct. 8, 2012.
Aircraft mechanics repair a harrier jet on deck the USS Bonhomme Richard after the formal opening of the annual Philippine-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercises program on Oct. 8, 2012.

How Far Should the U.S. Go to Counter China?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the virtual Republican convention in a pre-recorded video from Jerusalem, Israel, on Aug. 25.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the virtual Republican convention in a pre-recorded video from Jerusalem, Israel, on Aug. 25.

Is Trump Touting His Diplomatic Achievements to Get Reelected?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko plant a tree during a ceremony unveiling the Soviet Soldier Memorial near Rzhev, Russia on June 30, 2020.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko plant a tree during a ceremony unveiling the Soviet Soldier Memorial near Rzhev, Russia on June 30, 2020.

Is Belarus Putin’s Next Target? 

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Policemen march in front of the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, China on July 26. The Chengdu mission was ordered shut in retaliation for the forced closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston, Texas.
Policemen march in front of the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, China on July 26. The Chengdu mission was ordered shut in retaliation for the forced closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston, Texas.

Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War With China?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Members of the Broadway cast of 'Hamilton,' perform music from the production for President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and other guests in the East Room of the White House on March 14, 2016 in Washington.
Members of the Broadway cast of 'Hamilton,' perform music from the production for President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and other guests in the East Room of the White House on March 14, 2016 in Washington.

Does ‘Hamilton’ Have All the Answers for U.S. Foreign Policy?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks on stage during a public discussion at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina on February 17.
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks on stage during a public discussion at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina on February 17.

Did John Bolton Transform U.S. Foreign Policy or Enable Trump’s Transgressions?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Park Police stand watch inside Lafayette Square near the White House in Washington, DC on June 1 as demonstrators protest the death of George Floyd.
U.S. Park Police stand watch inside Lafayette Square near the White House in Washington, DC on June 1 as demonstrators protest the death of George Floyd.

Will U.S. Protests and Crackdowns Damage America’s Global Image?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Protesters attend a rally in a shopping mall on May 28 in Hong Kong.
Protesters attend a rally in a shopping mall on May 28 in Hong Kong.

Should the United States Punish China for Aggression Toward India and Hong Kong?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
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