Recent Events
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Can Afghanistan Improve American and Regional Prosperity?
The United States’ “America First” foreign policy under the Trump administration has emphasized security, strength, and economic prosperity. However, its approach to Afghanistan has remained narrowly focused on counterterrorism and the return of American detainees. This raises a critical question: Can Afghanistan contribute to regional stability and prosperity in a way that also aligns with
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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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