
Election 2020
It’s Debatable
The Cato Institute’s Emma Ashford and the Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig debate foreign policy and the 2020 election.

Trump and Biden Are Both Touting Foreign-Policy Failures as Achievements
With the world on fire from Thailand to Nigeria, there wasn’t much talk of international affairs in the final debate of the 2020 campaign—and when there was, both candidates defended flawed approaches to North Korea.

Is a Vice President Who Doesn’t Know Much About Foreign Policy a National Security Risk?
Pence and Harris talked about international politics at the debate, but their performances will leave voters asking if they would be ready to act as commander in chief.

How Far Should the U.S. Go to Counter China?
From Pacific bases to the Himalayas, Washington and Beijing are facing off.

Can the United States’ Democratic Institutions Survive the 2020 Election Campaign?
Trampled institutional norms, a battle over the Supreme Court, and the possibility of Democratic retaliation could threaten the bedrock of American democracy.

Is Trump Touting His Diplomatic Achievements to Get Reelected?
Both parties have featured speeches from key diplomats at their conventions, with Mike Pompeo making a controversial cameo at the RNC—but they aren’t proposing much that’s new.

Is Belarus Putin’s Next Target?
As protests rock another post-Soviet state, the Kremlin could be in an annexationist mood.

Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War With China?
The clash between Washington and Beijing could be the start of a new ideological confrontation—or the inevitable fallout from a power transition.

Does ‘Hamilton’ Have All the Answers for U.S. Foreign Policy?
The Broadway musical offers lessons on everything from regime change to balancing ideals and interests.

Did John Bolton Transform U.S. Foreign Policy or Enable Trump’s Transgressions?
The controversial former national security advisor left his mark in Washington—especially on nuclear arms deals and Iran.

Will U.S. Protests and Crackdowns Damage America’s Global Image?
Trump’s reaction to Black Lives Matter protests caused a civil-military crisis at home. Will it harm U.S. soft power abroad?

Is the U.S. Government Back in the Business of Regime Change?
What does a botched coup in Venezuela mean for Trump, and is Putin’s coronavirus response a failure?

What Would North Korea’s Collapse Mean for U.S. Security?
The end of Kim Jong Un’s rule could have major consequences for U.S. foreign policy—and pandemics don’t necessarily promote peace.

Will Trump’s Decision to Cut WHO Funding Accomplish Anything?
The coronavirus pandemic is threatening international institutions, the European Union, and military readiness while shattering economic policy orthodoxies.

Will Trump’s Pandemic Response Help or Harm U.S. Power?
Russia and China are stepping in while the United States and Europe fumble.

How Will the Coronavirus Pandemic Reshape the U.S. Election?
A major outbreak and looming recession in the United States has transformed the 2020 campaign—and could have major consequences for the future of great power politics.

What Does Super Tuesday Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy?
Either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders will face Donald Trump in November. Here's how their views of U.S. power could reshape the world.