Ahmed al-Shara’s UN speech last week presented an idealized Syria far removed from the perilous reality. “The president is here,” a coordinator announced, rushing to the entrance of a lavish private club in midtown Manhattan, where an impatient crowd, restless after waiting more than an hour, buzzed with anticipation for Syria’s new interim leader. Outside, the streets reverberated with both support and opposition, a reflection of the deep divisions...

Washington and New Delhi will only get along when both accept permanent ambiguity as a feature, not a bug, of the partnership. It has become a familiar refrain in recent strategic commentary that India risks squandering its moment by refusing to commit to the West. In this framing, articulated persuasively in a recent essay for Foreign Affairs by Dr. Ashley Tellis, India is either deluding itself about the realities of Chinese power or simply freeriding on American...

President Trump’s volte-face on India will not be reversed anytime soon, but that does not mean cooperation over matters of shared interest is a dead letter. President Donald Trump has ushered in a new era in US-India relations. Considerable time and effort will be required to move US-India relations away from this new transactional era and back to the path of partnership. Trump’s heavy-handed approach through a so-called “reciprocity” for trade deficits, a...

China uses cultural and educational soft power to enhance its international image, promote its political agenda, and project influence within the U.S. This is achieved through three main avenues: Confucius Institutes, student exchanges, and diaspora networks. While some of these efforts appear benign, they're often viewed by U.S. policymakers and intelligence agencies as tools for shaping public opinion, gathering intelligence, and exerting political control. Confucius...

Cyber espionage and intellectual property (IP) theft play a central and highly contentious role in the U.S.–China rivalry. The U.S. government views these activities as a deliberate, state-sponsored campaign by China to gain a competitive advantage, accelerate its military modernization, and ultimately challenge U.S. global leadership. This isn't just a matter of corporate espionage; it's a core component of China's national strategy. China's "Military-Civil Fusion" and the...

China's technological rise significantly influences U.S. debates about innovation, regulation, and security by presenting a clear and formidable challenge to America's long-held technological leadership. This challenge is viewed by many as a zero-sum competition, forcing the U.S. to re-evaluate its traditional approach to technology and its relationship with the private sector. Innovation: From Cooperation to Competition  For decades, the U.S. operated on the principle that its...

Chinese investments in U.S. real estate, agriculture, and businesses are considered significant to national security, but the nature and severity of the threat vary by sector. The U.S. government, particularly through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), is increasingly scrutinizing these investments, especially when they involve proximity to military bases or access to critical technology and sensitive data. Real Estate: Proximity and Strategic Assets ...

China's economic influence significantly affects U.S. policy decisions, primarily by creating dependencies and leverage in trade, finance, and technology. This influence forces U.S. policymakers to balance economic interests against national security concerns and geopolitical rivalry. Trade and Economic Coercion  China's role as the U.S.'s largest merchandise trading partner gives it immense leverage. The U.S. relies on China for a vast range of consumer goods and industrial...

China challenges U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific through a multi-faceted strategy that combines military modernization, economic influence, and diplomatic engagement. This competition is a central theme in American foreign policy and has a significant spillover effect on domestic politics, shaping public discourse, policy debates, and even partisan divides. China's Challenge to U.S. Dominance in the Indo-Pacific China's approach to challenging U.S. dominance is a comprehensive one,...

European governments are considering a variety of strategies to counterbalance China's growing foothold in their markets and institutions. These strategies are centered on reducing strategic dependencies, strengthening domestic industries, and enhancing a unified EU approach to China. The overarching goal is to achieve "de-risking"—not a full "decoupling"—by diversifying supply chains and protecting critical infrastructure. 1. Strengthening Defensive Economic...

China navigates the complex relationship with Europe by strategically balancing cooperation and competition to prevent the EU from fully aligning with the U.S. against it. Beijing's approach is based on an official narrative of mutual benefit and partnership, while it simultaneously uses its economic power to gain political leverage and influence. The "Partner, Competitor, and Systemic Rival" Framework  The EU officially defines its relationship with China using a three-part...

Africa is increasingly able to negotiate from a position of strength due to its growing youth population and vast strategic resources. However, this potential is not yet fully realized due to internal challenges like political instability, a lack of unified bargaining power, and limited value-added processing. Demographic Dividend Africa's youth bulge is a powerful asset. The continent has the world's youngest population, with over 60% of its people under the age of 25. This demographic...