It's Debatable
Intervention or Restraint? A Washington debate on pressing issues for policymakers.
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A picture taken on March 18, 2008 shows Russian Topol missiles during a rehearsal for the nation's annual May 9 Victory Day parade, in Yushkovo, Russia. Can Vague U.S. Threats Deter Russia From Using Nukes?
Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian territories raises the risk of nuclear confrontation, but it’s unclear whether Washington’s rhetoric will stop him.
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Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia How Should the West Respond to Putin’s Military Mobilization?
Doubling down on support for Ukraine could lead to wider conflict—or force the Kremlin to back down.
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U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a primetime speech at Independence National Historical Park Sept. 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What Does Biden’s Confrontational Speech Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy?
Framing geopolitics in terms of democracy and autocracy won’t necessarily help bring peace.
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Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (L) at the foreign ministry in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25. Who Benefits From a New Iran Deal?
A revival of the nuclear deal might only delay an Iranian bomb—but it could help the West deal with the looming winter energy crisis.
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Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase in Crimea. Will an Attack on Crimea Change the Course of the Ukraine War?
Kyiv has shown that it can hit far behind enemy lines, but putting Crimea in play may deal a psychological blow without altering the territorial endgame.
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A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast. What Does the Pelosi Taiwan Uproar Mean for U.S. China Policy?
The controversy over Nancy Pelosi’s proposed trip highlights the contradictions of U.S. policy toward the island.
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U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15. Should Biden Backtrack on His Campaign Promises?
The president’s trip to Saudi Arabia and talk of regional security guarantees are a dramatic departure from his rhetoric during the 2020 race.
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Photographs of Russia's war in Ukraine are displayed as part of an exhibition at the railway station where trains from Moscow to Kaliningrad pass by on Apr. 26, 2022 in Kalveliai, Lithuania. Will the Kaliningrad Crisis Lead to War?
Lithuania’s muscular move to enforce EU sanctions by blocking Russian rail cargo could risk escalating the Russia-NATO conflict.
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Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5. What Is Biden’s Policy in the Persian Gulf?
Talk of security guarantees for the UAE and a thaw in Washington-Riyadh relations could enhance—or weaken—U.S. standing in the region.
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Taiwanese reservists take part in military training at a base in Taoyuan on March 12, 2022. Is Biden Being Machiavellian or Misguided on Taiwan?
The U.S. president’s surprise statement could deter China—or increase the risk of war.
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A bullet-riddled Ukrainian national flag flies in Malyn, Ukraine, on May 4. What’s the Endgame in Ukraine?
As Washington prepares to send another $40 billion in military aid and Europe seeks a Russian oil embargo, the West’s ultimate goal is still unclear.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) meets with a delegation including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) on April 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Is Weakening Russia a Bad Idea?
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s comments raise questions about Washington’s endgame in Ukraine.
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U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019. Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?
The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?
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French deputies and senators applaud during a videoconference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (on screen) at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, on March 23. Would a Peace Deal Between Russia and Ukraine Do More Harm Than Good?
While a serious negotiated settlement could end Ukrainians’ suffering, a premature peace deal could be the worst possible outcome for Kyiv.
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A Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during a military parade Would Putin Use Nuclear Weapons?
The urge to do more to help Ukraine is running up against concerns over nuclear escalation with Russia.
