Commentary

Sense of Place in Narva: How Do Narva’s Residents Feel and Think about Their City?

Narva, Estonia, is a city of contrasts and constant concern. Estonia’s third largest city, Narva is predominantly home to ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers, including many Russian citizens and stateless residents. The country’s rich oil shale region and part of...

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In the Wake of Withdrawal: The Future U.S. Military Presence in Syria

For well over a year, American strategy in Syria has resembled that of a poker player with a weak hand who refuses to bet, refuses to fold, and insists on staying in the game despite the looming stakes of...

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Spotlight on Europe and Defense of the West—Riga Conference 2019

Another year, another Riga Conference, where leading experts in security and international affairs join with ministers and civil servants to reflect on a wide array of topics ranging from Baltic defense to Russia and the West. This year, the...

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How Will the United States Respond to Turkey’s Invasion of Syria?

In the aftermath of Turkey's invasion of northern Syria on October 4, 2019, leaders from both U.S. political parties have suggested responding with economic and financial sanctions. The threat of economic and financial sanctions to deter, coerce, or punish...

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Operation “Peace Spring” and U.S. Strategy in Syria

On October 4, President Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey announced a major Turkish military incursion into northeast Syria. In Erdogan’s words, his goal is to “neutralize terror threats against Turkey and lead to the establishment of a safe...

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Mackinder’s Nightmare: Part Two

The United States has never faced a great power competitor with the range of economic capabilities now possessed by the People’s Republic of China. Americans need to come to grips with the fact that they could actually lose this...

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‘Pyongyang Coin’ and the Future of U.S. Sanctions on North Korea

On September 13, the United States Department of Treasury announced a new round of sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, this time specifically targeting three state-sponsored hacking organizations: Bluenoroff, Andariel, and, most infamous, Lazarus Group. Five days...

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Mackinder’s Nightmare: Part One

The stunning growth in the capabilities of the People’s Republic of China during the past 30 years has created a severe geopolitical challenge for the United States and its allies. The U.S. faces a near-peer competitor with the potential...

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Diplomacy and Dividends: Who Really Controls the Wagner Group?

Many expected the diplomatic relationship between the Russian Federation and the United States to fray when U.S. forces killed hundreds of Russians assaulting a U.S.-held Syrian outpost in early 2018. Yet, the Kremlin quickly distanced itself from the Russian...

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The Battle for Artificial Intelligence Supremacy: Corporations or Countries?

The artificial intelligence race has kept the world watching in rapt attention. Will the People’s Republic of China beat the United States of America? If so, what are the implications? Kai-fu Lee, a former executive at Apple, SGI, Microsoft,...

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