Stephen M. Walt

Stephen M. Walt is a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Robert and Renée Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University.

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Articles by Stephen M. Walt
The U.S. and Chinese flags stand behind a microphone.
The U.S. and Chinese flags stand behind a microphone.

The World Might Want China’s Rules

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Stephen M. Walt
Joe Biden speaks at a business leader breakfast.
Joe Biden speaks at a business leader breakfast.

What Comes After the Forever Wars

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Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Joe Biden walks through Arlington National Cemetery.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks through Arlington National Cemetery.

Biden’s War at Home Over Afghanistan Is Just Beginning

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Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about foreign policy at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 4.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about foreign policy at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 4.

China Wants a ‘Rules-Based International Order,’ Too

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Stephen M. Walt
A deactivated missile is in a U.S. silo.
A deactivated missile is in a U.S. silo.

It’s Time to Fold America’s Nuclear Umbrella

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Stephen M. Walt
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One.

How Biden Benefits From Limiting His Own War Powers

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Stephen M. Walt
A temporary fence surrounds the U.S. Capitol
A temporary fence surrounds the U.S. Capitol

America’s Forever Wars Have Come Back Home

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Stephen M. Walt
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, the commander of the Kabul Military Training Center, introduces then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Afghan recruits during a break in training on military operations in urban terrain during a two-day surprise visit to Kabul on Jan. 11, 2011.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, the commander of the Kabul Military Training Center, introduces then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Afghan recruits during a break in training on military operations in urban terrain during a two-day surprise visit to Kabul on Jan. 11, 2011.

How Not to Leave Afghanistan

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Stephen M. Walt
In this picture taken on March 2, 2017, a cell for inmates waiting to see the prison medic is seen at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.
In this picture taken on March 2, 2017, a cell for inmates waiting to see the prison medic is seen at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.

Why ‘Hostage Diplomacy’ Works

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Stephen M. Walt
An anti-coup protester holds up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Myanmar embassy on Feb. 4 in Bangkok.
An anti-coup protester holds up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Myanmar embassy on Feb. 4 in Bangkok.

What America Should—and Shouldn’t—Do About Myanmar’s Coup

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Stephen M. Walt
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the World Economic Forum virtual event of the Davos Agenda and delivers a special address via video link in Beijing on Jan. 25. Xinhua/Li Xueren via Getty Images
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the World Economic Forum virtual event of the Davos Agenda and delivers a special address via video link in Beijing on Jan. 25. Xinhua/Li Xueren via Getty Images

Xi Tells the World What He Really Wants

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Stephen M. Walt
President-elect Joe Biden listens as Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken speaks at an event to introduce key foreign policy and national security nominees and appointments at the Queen Theatre on November 24, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. 
President-elect Joe Biden listens as Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken speaks at an event to introduce key foreign policy and national security nominees and appointments at the Queen Theatre on November 24, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. 

A Face Lift Can’t Fix the State Department

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Stephen M. Walt
Donald Trump shouts at members of the media as he returns to the White House on October 3, 2019 in Washington.
Donald Trump shouts at members of the media as he returns to the White House on October 3, 2019 in Washington.

How to Know You’ve Lost Your Grip on Reason

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Stephen M. Walt
Donald Trump delivers a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on July 23, 2020.
Donald Trump delivers a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on July 23, 2020.

Trump’s Final Foreign-Policy Report Card

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Stephen M. Walt
coronavirus-vaccine-predictions-2021-foreign-policy-global-thinkers-brian-stauffer-illustration
coronavirus-vaccine-predictions-2021-foreign-policy-global-thinkers-brian-stauffer-illustration

The World After the Coronavirus

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John R. Allen, Laurie Garrett, Richard N. Haass, G. John Ikenberry, Kishore Mahbubani, Shivshankar Menon, Robin Niblett, Joseph S. Nye Jr., Shannon K. O'Neil, Kori Schake, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Stephen M. Walt, Stefan Theil
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