Nation Building

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, permanent representative of Russian Federation to the United Nations, and Ambassador Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the UN, engage in conversation during the UN Security Council meeting on Nord Stream pipeline explosions at the UN Headquarters on February 21, 2023, in New York City.

The Diplomatic Wins at the Heart of China’s Ascendancy The Diplomatic Wins at the Heart of China’s Ascendancy

Its diplomatic feat of restoring relations in the Middle East reflects less its position as a rising power than the startling decline of American regional credibility.

May 23, 2023 / Juan Cole

A US Special Forces soldier at a remote village in the Arghandab District in Afghanistan

The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars

There is probably no better evidence of how poorly the War on Terror demonstrated its stated goal of the rule of law than the little-noted use, and misuse, of security contractors.

May 16, 2023 / Andrea Mazzarino

President Xi Jinping (center) and leaders of the Chinese Communist Party attend the opening of the National People’s Congress in 2021

The Consequences of Underestimating China The Consequences of Underestimating China

Every step Beijing takes to consolidate its control over Eurasia weakens Washington’s presence and erodes its once formidable global power.

May 3, 2023 / Alfred McCoy

A car sits in front of a burned apartment building and pile of rubble. A soldier stands in front of the car.

There Is No Winning in Modern Warfare There Is No Winning in Modern Warfare

The US military may have achieved just one success of any significance since 1945—despite becoming the best-funded institution in this country. 

May 2, 2023 / Tom Engelhardt

Hypersonic missile russia

Think the Pentagon Budget Is Too High Now? I’ve Got Bad News. Think the Pentagon Budget Is Too High Now? I’ve Got Bad News.

As today’s emerging technology gets converted into actual combat systems, future spending will only increase.

Apr 27, 2023 / Michael T. Klare

Time to go? Prime Minister Ariel Henry attends a graduation ceremony for new members of the country's armed forces in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Haiti, April 2023: Soon There Will Be No One Left to Kidnap Haiti, April 2023: Soon There Will Be No One Left to Kidnap

The deadly consequences of the Biden administration’s policy of no policy.

Apr 17, 2023 / Amy Wilentz

Former President Donald Trump waves from the steps of Air Force One

The Surprisingly Durable Myth of Donald Trump, Anti-Imperialist The Surprisingly Durable Myth of Donald Trump, Anti-Imperialist

The Establishment focus on personal scandals helps cover up the former president’s reckless belligerence.

Apr 17, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Protesters dressed with cutout faces of Biden and Putin prepare to throw nuclear weapons in the garbage

Is the US Flirting With Nuclear War? Is the US Flirting With Nuclear War?

A proxy war pitting the United States against a paranoid adversary with a massive nuclear arsenal at his command: What could possibly go wrong?

Mar 23, 2023 / Andrew J. Bacevich

Are We Manufacturing a Taiwan Crisis Over Nothing?

Are We Manufacturing a Taiwan Crisis Over Nothing? Are We Manufacturing a Taiwan Crisis Over Nothing?

Concluding that an invasion is not likely under current circumstances is absolutely reasonable—but you wouldn’t know it in Washington.

Mar 17, 2023 / Michael T. Klare

Taiwan Strait Helicopter

The Devastating Consequences of a War Over Taiwan The Devastating Consequences of a War Over Taiwan

Cities devastated, untold thousands dead, and the global economy, with its epicenter in Asia, left in ruins—a war would be ruinous to the region and the world.

Mar 7, 2023 / Alfred McCoy

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