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E-Notes
FPRI’s E-Notes are policy-oriented articles covering current developments around the globe that impinge upon American foreign policy and national security priorities. Through Email, and Social Media, they are circulated to more than 250,000 individuals in virtually every country around the world, and reach thousands more on our website.
Prior to 2005, E-Notes were known as FPRI Wires. For a list of all available FPRI Wires, please click here.
The Pendulum of Ukrainian Politics: One Day You’re in, the Next Day You’re Out?
The Volodymyr Zelensky surge continued on July 21 when the Ukrainian president’s newly created Servant of the People (SoP) Party won the first outright parliamentary majority in the country’s post-Soviet history. Given that the party’s candidate list was a...
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What Happened at the Severodvinsk Naval Testing Range? Thoughts on the Severodvinsk Radioactive Release and When It Happened Here
What happened on 8 August at Russia’s Severodvinsk Naval Testing Range? That question has preoccupied Western media reports for several days running. This New York Times report is typical:...
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Insurgents and the Flip Side of Special Operations
While the Islamic State’s physical caliphate is no more, it is clear that the group has successfully transitioned back to a uniform insurgency contesting for influence in areas of Syria and Iraq. Certainly, its far-flung affiliates in Asia and...
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A Pathway Forward for the U.S. and Turkey in Syria: A Virtual Safe Zone
On August 7th, after three days of military-to-military talks in Ankara, the United States and Turkey released a statement pledging ...
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Unequal Sequel: China’s Belt and Road Initiative
During the spring of 2019, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) notched up some notable successes. In March, Italy became the first major Western country to sign up as a participant. Then in April, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad...
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A Nadir is Reached in the Politicization of U.S. Intelligence
It would be no surprise if there was a clinking of glasses at “The Aquarium,” the sobriquet for GRU Headquarters, in Moscow this past week upon learning that the President of the United States intends to nominate Congressman...
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American Credibility is Dangerously Low: Just Not For the Reasons You May Think
In the field of international relations, a nation’s credibility is often thought to be calculated by evaluating its historical record of following through on threats of punishment issued to adversaries. In contrast, today, the larger challenge to U.S. global...
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Putin’s Victory: Why Turkey and America Made Each Other Weaker
On Tuesday, 16 July, President Donald Trump poorly articulated the first of what is expected to be two actions taken in response to Turkey’s purchase and acquisition of the Russian made S-400. In a meandering and error-filled statement, President...
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U.S. Sanctions and Turkey’s Purchase of Russia’s S-400 Air Defense System
Despite two years of signaling and eight months of rushed bilateral negotiations between the United States and Turkey to forestall Ankara’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, Turkey just received the first delivery of S-400 components. Acquiring Russian...
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Understanding the Hong Kong Extradition Law Protests
On January 29, the Hong Kong governent announced potential amendments to its extradition laws that would allow suspects to be extradited to countries with which the city has no formal extradition agreements. According to Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the...
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