Author: Jordan Henry

  • Gulf Arab Perspectives on Regional Security After the Israel-Iran War

    The Gulf Arab countries managed to avoid direct involvement in the recent conflict over Iran’s nuclear program—which pitted Iran against Israel and, briefly, the United States—but the situation in the region remains volatile. The war has significantly altered the strategic landscape, raising critical questions for the security interests of Gulf Arab states. With Israel increasingly

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  • Collateral Damage? Central Asia and the South Caucasus in the Israel-Iran Conflict

    Both Central Asian and South Caucasian states border Iran and rely on key transit routes as well as economic and political ties with Tehran as they seek to bolster their sovereignty through multi-vector regional foreign policies. To what extent are these goals compromised by U.S. and Israeli efforts to isolate Iran? On July 28, 2025,

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  • Russia Courts North Korea: Implications for Europe and the Indo-Pacific

    The deepening partnership between Russia and North Korea—fueled by Moscow’s global search for troops and weapons to sustain its invasion of Ukraine—carries profound security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Although Pyongyang has contributed relatively few soldiers compared to Russia’s large military force, their presence on Europe’s frontiers has raised alarm among policymakers

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  • Can Afghanistan Improve American and Regional Prosperity?

    The Trump administration has been clear that its America First foreign policy prioritizes making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. However, it has not articulated how those objectives apply to Afghanistan policy beyond expressing priority interests in countering terrorism and securing the release of American detainees. But is there a viable way for Afghanistan to

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  • CRANK Call | June 2025

    CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). June 2025 Highlights Russia and China condemn Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran but offer limited support When Israel launched military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and other targets on June 13,

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