Publications

In his recent op-ed in The New York Times, Russian president Vladimir Putin’s objected to the idea of American “exceptionalism.” This is ironic because the nation whose state tradition is based on a claim to exceptionalism is not the...

In These Pages This issue of Orbis covers a broad array of topics associated with the international security environment.  In our lead article, Nadia Schadlow contends that America’s instruments of foreign policy are weak, which has led to the...

Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman, American Umpire. (Harvard University Press, 2013). Read the full article here....

Abstract The most common assertion about U.S. foreign policy appearing in scholarly journals and opinion articles is that it is incoherent. This article will show that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it is a growing...

Abstract This article explores a scenario of extended nuclear opacity in the Middle East that would comprise two undeclared nuclear powers: Iran and Israel. We argue that this regional spread of nuclear opacity would act as a major driver...

Abstract This article focuses on the interplay of energy, climate change, and national security issues in Southwest Asia, using the newer definition of “national security” to include energy security, economic development, and climate change, as well as traditional security...

Abstract Ukraine’s current policy line is counterproductive, according to the authors. Not only may potential supporters be unable to help Ukraine, they will probably not want to help it and will ignore the consequences of its distress given their...

Abstract The Obama Administration’s desire to push forward with strategic nuclear arms reductions during the President’s second term requires the navigation of numerous shoals and reefs. U.S. and Russian negotiators will have to overcome both political and military obstacles...

Abstract While military alliances have always been important to the United States, some experts wonder about their future. In today’s uncertain security environment, they question whether these alliances may have outlived their usefulness. The author argues that U.S. national...

Abstract Counterinsurgency as an operational method employed by the American military to achieve policy aims at a reasonable cost in blood and treasure has failed miserably. The idea that it has worked should be buried in the ground with...