Recent Events

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  Managing Confrontation in US-Russian Relations

  The Biden administration’s initial approach to Russia contrasts with that of every other American administration since the fall of the Soviet Union, all of which began by calling for improved relations with Moscow.  Biden has been quick to impose sanctions and call out perceived Russian misdeeds, but he has been equally quick to pursue dialogue

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  Escalating Tensions in Ukraine

  Tensions are rising ominously in eastern Ukraine.  Fighting has surged along the line of contact between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.  Kyiv has cracked down internally on perceived Russian-sympathizers.  Russia has moved thousands of troops near the border with Ukraine, prompting Kyiv to turn to NATO with calls for support.  Many are painting the

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  Afghanistan: How Should the Biden Administration Manage the Graveyard of Empires?

  In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Milt Bearden, who ran the CIA’s covert support to Afghanistan’s mujahedin during the Soviet war, published a prescient article cautioning the United States against biting off more than it could chew in what he called “the graveyard of empires.”  His advice went unheeded.  Some twenty years later, the

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  How Should Biden Deal with Russia?: A Debate

  In its forthcoming issue, the National Interest features a cover story with dueling perspectives from John E. Herbst and Dimitri K. Simes about future American relations with Russia. On February 25, 2021, the Center hosted a debate between Herbst and Simes over their competing perspectives on the future of US-Russian relations. Melinda Haring (deputy director

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  The Challenge of Iran

  As the Biden administration surveys the Middle East, one of its top priorities will be how to deal with the threats to the region posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, which have continued to evolve since the US withdrew from the Joint Cooperative Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. At the same time, relations between Israel and

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