An expert's point of view on a current event.
Argument
List of Argument articles
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Roman Voskoboynikov, who is originally from Ukraine, after a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony inside the Robert N.C. Nix Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Biden Administration Is Addicted to Partnerships
The inauspicious return of the Cold War strategy of “Pactomania.”
U.S. President Joe Biden reacts during a meeting on the "Build Back Better World" during the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 U.N. climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2, 2021.
Biden’s Signature Achievement Needs to Go Global
The Inflation Reduction Act is Washington’s boldest climate policy ever—but still woefully insufficient.
Markus Soeder, Governor of Bavaria and lead candidate of the Bavarian Social Union (CSU), attends the annual gathering of politicians in beer tents at the Gillamoos folk fest on September 3, 2018 in Abensberg, Germany.
The Land of Lederhosen, Beer, and Political Chaos
Bavaria is Germany’s stereotypical idyll—and now a herald of its future turmoil.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (L) meets Prime Minister of northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (IKRG), Masrour Barzani in Erbil (R) in Erbil, Iraq on March 15.
Iran Is Exploiting Divisions and U.S. Inaction in Iraqi Kurdistan
While Washington sits idly by, the region is on the brink of falling into Tehran’s orbit.
Afghans protest against the burning of the Quran by Swedish Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan outside Eid Gah mosque in Kabul on Jan. 27.
Attention-Seekers and Autocrats Are a Combustible Mix
Geopolitical provocateurs can cause serious diplomatic headaches.
Smoke covers the presidential palace compound in Baghdad during a U.S.-led air raid on March 21, 2003.
Why the Iraq War AUMF Is Still Dangerous
Legislation authorizing the 2003 war is still on the books—and alarmingly open-ended.
A girl touches a photograph of her relative on the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war in Kyiv.
What Does Victory Look Like in Ukraine?
Ukrainians differ on what would keep their nation safe from Russia.
A Confucius Institute float during the parade for the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2011 in the streets of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Cultural Decoupling From China Is Not the Answer
Beijing’s censorship has pernicious effects on artists and educational institutions—but abandoning all cultural ties would do more harm than good.
A group of police officers, wearing short-sleeved uniform shirts and matching hats, chat with each other as they stand on a sidewalk outside Hong Kong's High Court. Skyscrapers and a cloudy sky are visible behind the officers.
Hong Kong’s Bureaucrats Don’t Make Good Authoritarians
Local officials are inflexible about implementing Beijing’s orders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears before reporters with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
America’s Budget Dysfunction Has Geopolitical Costs
Congressional performance artists are holding U.S. foreign policy hostage.
Rescue teams search through the rubble in the eastern city of Soussa, Libya on Sep. 21, following deadly flash floods.
How Division and Disorder Led to Devastation in Libya
Poor global and domestic governance made a foreseeable and preventable disaster in Derna a catastrophe.
Two people ride on a motorcycle past a small fire.
L’intervention dont Haïti a vraiment besoin
Ce n’est pas par la force que l’on résoudra la crise du pays mais par une politique monétaire judicieuse.
The headquarters of the CIA is seen from above in Langley, Virginia, on Nov. 7, 2018.
Chinese Spies Are Targeting Access, Not Race
Implying China mostly uses ethnically Chinese assets is both wrong and dangerous.
Polish President Andrzej Duda looks on as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz chat at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023.
Biden Should Press Poland and the EU to Make Up
Warsaw’s strategic role in Europe is too important for Washington to ignore.
A plaque used to reserve the seat of the delegation from Israel, is seen during the UNESCO Extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh on Sept. 11.
Bibi’s Dead-End Road to Riyadh
Netanyahu wants a normalization deal with the Saudis, but his hard-right coalition partners will undermine his plans.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.
The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky
The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks at a programmable humanoid robot during a visit to the AI Xperience Center in Brussels on Feb. 18, 2020.
Ursula von der Leyen Is Europe’s Ruthlessly Efficient Machine
How the European Commission president has prepared for a possible second term.
Workers load aid supplies into a military plane bound for Port Sudan at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates on May 10.
U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help
Washington must lean on Abu Dhabi to halt its support for Hemeti’s RSF.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, U.S. President Joe Biden, center, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can be seen from behind as they walk away from the camera down a shaded, tree-lined path. All three men wear dark suits, and Biden is resting his hand on Kishida's shoulder as they walk together.
Domestic Politics Threaten Hard-Won Success in East Asia
The Camp David trilateral summit produced results—but they might not last.
A Chinese container ship is unloaded in the port of Hamburg, Germany, on Oct. 26, 2022.
How China Uses Shipping for Surveillance and Control
Beijing’s global maritime operations double as intelligence-gathering outposts.

The Biden Administration Is Addicted to Partnerships
The inauspicious return of the Cold War strategy of “Pactomania.”

Biden’s Signature Achievement Needs to Go Global
The Inflation Reduction Act is Washington’s boldest climate policy ever—but still woefully insufficient.

The Land of Lederhosen, Beer, and Political Chaos
Bavaria is Germany’s stereotypical idyll—and now a herald of its future turmoil.

Iran Is Exploiting Divisions and U.S. Inaction in Iraqi Kurdistan
While Washington sits idly by, the region is on the brink of falling into Tehran’s orbit.

Attention-Seekers and Autocrats Are a Combustible Mix
Geopolitical provocateurs can cause serious diplomatic headaches.

Why the Iraq War AUMF Is Still Dangerous
Legislation authorizing the 2003 war is still on the books—and alarmingly open-ended.

What Does Victory Look Like in Ukraine?
Ukrainians differ on what would keep their nation safe from Russia.

Cultural Decoupling From China Is Not the Answer
Beijing’s censorship has pernicious effects on artists and educational institutions—but abandoning all cultural ties would do more harm than good.

Hong Kong’s Bureaucrats Don’t Make Good Authoritarians
Local officials are inflexible about implementing Beijing’s orders.

America’s Budget Dysfunction Has Geopolitical Costs
Congressional performance artists are holding U.S. foreign policy hostage.

How Division and Disorder Led to Devastation in Libya
Poor global and domestic governance made a foreseeable and preventable disaster in Derna a catastrophe.

L’intervention dont Haïti a vraiment besoin
Ce n’est pas par la force que l’on résoudra la crise du pays mais par une politique monétaire judicieuse.

Chinese Spies Are Targeting Access, Not Race
Implying China mostly uses ethnically Chinese assets is both wrong and dangerous.

Biden Should Press Poland and the EU to Make Up
Warsaw’s strategic role in Europe is too important for Washington to ignore.

Bibi’s Dead-End Road to Riyadh
Netanyahu wants a normalization deal with the Saudis, but his hard-right coalition partners will undermine his plans.

The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky
The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.

Ursula von der Leyen Is Europe’s Ruthlessly Efficient Machine
How the European Commission president has prepared for a possible second term.

U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help
Washington must lean on Abu Dhabi to halt its support for Hemeti’s RSF.

Domestic Politics Threaten Hard-Won Success in East Asia
The Camp David trilateral summit produced results—but they might not last.

How China Uses Shipping for Surveillance and Control
Beijing’s global maritime operations double as intelligence-gathering outposts.