AT THE CENTER

Can Central Asia Be Afghanistan’s Bridge to the World?

Earlier this month, the Taliban completed a 75-mile gravel road through the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow valley linking Afghanistan to China. The road is part of a Taliban campaign pressing Beijing to bring Afghanistan into the Belt and Road Initiative, but China has so far declined. Its hesitation is about more than difficult terrain. Militant

“Throughout its history, Russia has strived to be accepted by the West. Yet, today, it is isolated, serves as China’s junior partner, and includes as its main partners rogues like North Korea and Iran.”

-Andrew C. Kuchins

“The United States will face grave challenges if its adversaries establish hegemony in either Europe…or Asia…and establish de facto control of their polities and resources. America’s alliance relationships are critical in preventing that outcome.”

-Paul J. Saunders

"The cold, hard truth is that tariffs are bad for the GOP and even worse for America."

-Jacob Heilbrunn

“The reality of this new era is that energy consumption is growing globally in an 'all of the above' manner. Renewable energy is seeing explosive growth, but there is still some growth in oil demand and even coal, and strong demand growth for natural gas and LNG.”

-Greg Priddy