Events

• 

  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

  MORE
• 

  Central Asian Fighters and Global Jihad

  Central Asian fighters have been active on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as in various military conflicts across the Greater Middle East and beyond. How are these individuals recruited, financed, and organized? One critical node is the Afghan border with the Central Asian states of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Has their role

  MORE
• 

  Rising Lion, Falling Order? The Israel-Iran Conflict and What’s Next

  Following Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion”—a series of coordinated strikes targeting Iranian military installations, nuclear facilities, and leadership—the Middle East has once again been plunged into turmoil. How likely is direct U.S. involvement, including a potential bombing campaign? What are the implications for global oil markets? Could this conflict open the door to renewed diplomacy over

  MORE
• 

  Implications of Ukraine’s Drone Strikes

  On June 1, Ukraine conducted coordinated drone attacks on four Russian airbases—its most extensive strike against Russian military infrastructure to date. These attacks appear to reflect both Kyiv’s growing reliance on long-range unmanned systems and its efforts to impose greater costs on Russia’s war effort inside Russian territory. The strikes raise important questions about how

  MORE
• 

  EU Assessments of the Iberian Blackout

  On April 28, Spain lost roughly 60% of its electricity generation capacity in less than five seconds. The blackout shut down critical infrastructure including transportation and communications networks, stranded travelers, and caused other widespread disruptions, some of which lasted for days. Officials continue to investigate what might have produced the blackout. So far, it does

  MORE