
It’s Debatable
Intervention or Restraint? The Atlantic Council’s Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig debate pressing issues for policymakers.

Is Biden Being Machiavellian or Misguided on Taiwan?
The U.S. president’s surprise statement could deter China—or increase the risk of war.

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.

Is Weakening Russia a Bad Idea?
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s comments raise questions about Washington’s endgame in Ukraine.

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?

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.

Would Putin Use Nuclear Weapons?
The urge to do more to help Ukraine is running up against concerns over nuclear escalation with Russia.

Is There a Risk of a NATO vs. Russia War?
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine marks a tectonic shift in world politics and increases the danger of superpower confrontation and the militarization of Europe.

Is There a Diplomatic Offramp in Ukraine?
As Russia masses troops along the border—and in Belarus—the prospects for peaceful resolution are fading, but there are options.

Is Defending Ukraine Vital to U.S. Security?
As Putin prepares to invade, Washington and its allies still appear undecided on whether Kyiv is worth fighting for.

Will Unrest in Kazakhstan Inflame Tensions Between Russia and the West?
A sudden wave of protests has spooked the Kremlin and precipitated an unprecedented intervention by Moscow and its allies.

Will 2022 Bring More War and Chaos?
2021 has been a lesson in the limits of U.S. foreign policy.

The World Is Starting to Doubt Biden’s Promise That ‘America Is Back’
From omicron restrictions to the Iran deal and the democracy summit, Washington is making questionable calls that don’t inspire confidence in U.S. leadership.

Is Russia Preparing to Invade Ukraine?
Moscow’s military buildup is raising eyebrows in Washington as Belarus ups the ante in its standoff with the EU.

Will COP26 Solve Anything?
Climate apocalypse still looms while world leaders haggle over haggis in Glasgow.

Will China’s New Missile Lead to Escalation or Stability?
Beijing’s FOBS delivery system could provoke an arms race—or a more stable deterrence relationship.

Is Defending Taiwan Worth the Risk?
Chinese incursions and U.S. training of Taiwanese forces raise the specter of war. Is it a conflict the United States can handle?

Will AUKUS Hit China Where It Hurts?
The submarine deal could reshape the balance of power in the Pacific—and draw Australia into future conflicts.

Is Lithuania the West’s First Line of Defense?
The small Baltic nation is facing down threats from authoritarian regimes in Russia, Belarus, and China.

What Should Biden Have Done in Afghanistan?
Withdrawal was always bound to be chaotic, but wishful thinking, poor planning, and glacial bureaucracies have made a difficult situation worse.

The Geopolitical Stakes of Olympic Perfection—and Defection
The Tokyo Games have brought a surge of nationalism and laid bare the methods of autocrats like Belarus’s Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Can the World Avoid War in Cyberspace—and in Space?
Billionaire rocket launches and ongoing cyberattacks reveal that, without norms governing conflict, there could be chaos.

Does Beijing’s Belligerent Birthday Party Herald a New Arms Race?
The Chinese Communist Party’s anniversary celebration is taking place amid a nuclear buildup.

Was the Biden-Putin Summit a Success?
The White House set clear red lines on cyberwar, but don’t expect much progress in the months to come.

Can Biden Do Anything About Belarus?
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s brazen air piracy and increasing closeness to the Kremlin demand a response, but Washington’s next move isn’t obvious.

Can Biden Sell His Domestic Agenda as a Win Against China?
From climate change policy to COVID-19 relief, Biden’s domestic and foreign-policy goals are coming under fire.

Is Leaving Afghanistan Misguided or Overdue?
Biden’s withdrawal announcement is meant to end a 20-year war, but Washington has been dragged back into conflicts before.

Will Biden’s Approach to China and Russia Work?
The new administration’s interim national security guidance gets many things right—but it has its shortcomings.

Who’s to Blame for Stalling U.S.-Iran Negotiations?
Biden was expected to revive the nuclear deal quickly—but as pro-Iran militias attack U.S. forces in Iraq and Washington strikes back in Syria, direct talks aren’t on the horizon.

Should Biden Ditch All of Trump’s Policies?
From Afghanistan to China, the new administration seems likely to hold on to some ideas from the previous one.

Will Biden Have to Choose Between U.S. Interests and Human Rights?
A coup in Myanmar and Russia’s sentencing of Alexei Navalny raise questions about whether promoting U.S. values could weaken Washington’s hand when it comes to great-power competition.

What Do the Confirmation Hearings Tell Us About Biden’s Foreign Policy?
With Avril Haines and Lloyd Austin confirmed, key officials are starting to offer hints of what’s in store.