Pivotal States

How Türkiye Navigates a World of War

The war in Ukraine to its north; the war in Gaza to its south; the war with Iran to its east: Türkiye sits at the crux of several dangerous conflicts straining the global

Can America Avoid a Forever War with Iran?

President Trump entered office promising a historic breakthrough with Iran. Instead, the United States finds itself in a costly war with no clear end in sight. Despite mo

Is America Ready to Reset Ties with Israel?

For decades, the U.S.-Israel relationship has been one of the closest partnerships in American foreign policy. Today, that relationship is under immense strain. Israel's

Is America's North Korea Policy Out of Touch with Reality?

For decades, U.S. policy toward North Korea has been organized around a single objective: denuclearization. Yet despite sanctions, diplomatic initiatives, and pressure ca

Do U.S.-German Relations Have a Future?

Germany is the key power in Europe today. The future of the continent—and America's relations with it—will hinge on decisions made in Berlin. Yet the relationship is unde

Should Americans Fear China's Dominance?

In Washington, policymakers frame competition with China as a zero-sum contest for power. But does slowing China’s progress actually benefit Americans—or is it a fool’s e

What Does the United States Want From Cuba?

For more than sixty years, Cuba’s revolutionary government has survived economic crises and sustained pressure from the United States. But today, the island may be facing

Spheres of Influence or American Primacy? The World Trump is Making

From 'spheres of influence' to 'naked imperialism' to 'peace through strength,' analysts of foreign affairs are offering competing explanations for Trump’s foreign policy

Does Trump Understand America's Real Interests in Venezuela?

President Trump campaigned on peace. Yet, for months, he expanded America’s military presence in the Caribbean to its largest since the Cold War. Just days into 2026, Tru

Inside America's Stubborn Rivalry with Iran

U.S.–Iranian animosity has persisted relentlessly for more than four decades. From the Cold War to the unipolar moment to today’s multipolar world, tensions between the U

Peril and Promise in the U.S.–China AI Race

The contest to stay on the leading edge of AI is rapidly taking center stage in America’s strategic competition with China. But what does it actually mean to beat China i

Hard Limits: Testing U.S. Power in Ukraine

President Donald Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. He sent his negotiator Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for multi

Would an Asian NATO Be Good for America?

This summer, during a trip to Asia, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reiterated that the Indo-Pacific is the U.S. Department of Defense’s priority theater. Yet unli

Trump 2 at 6 Months: Fury and Furor, But What’s Changed?

In his second term, President Trump cast himself as a “peacemaker and unifier” and tried to bring a swift end to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Six months later

America and Iran: Is a New Chapter Possible?

Few relationships are as fraught, and as consequential, as America and Iran’s. The Trump administration inherited a golden opportunity to strike a deal, but the path has

How Pivotal is the United Kingdom? The Future of U.S.-UK Relations

America’s relationship with the United Kingdom is one of the deepest in the world, but in the face of changing interests and new geopolitical pressures, how important wil

How is Taiwan Reacting to the Trump Administration? Four Experts Visited Taiwan to Find Out

As the United States overhauls its foreign policy approach, Taiwan is on high alert. The Trump administration’s push for a Ukraine settlement has led many to question Was

Food Security Reimagined | Barbecue Earth

Winners and losers—every major transition has them. For the world to meet its climate goals, it needs to undergo a partial shift away from traditional meat and toward alt

Consider the Lobster | Barbecue Earth

There’s a lot to learn from the lobster. Its transformation from disdained prison food to fine-dining delicacy reveals how culture shapes our palate and how people could

Uncle Sam and the Magic Beanstalk | Barbecue Earth

The soybean is more than just a humble legume—it’s a major geopolitical player that feeds the international meat market, shapes trade wars, and transforms economies. In E