Last week, former Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian — who became famous and controversial for his role as the leading figure of “Wolf Warrior” diplomacy — was unexpectedly reassigned to a less prominent role as the deputy head of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs. Although the specific reason for his transfer is...
On Tuesday, January 10, Russian soldiers launched an assault on Soledar, a reminder to the world that the war in Ukraine is rapidly reaching its year anniversary. The war, which many predicted Russia would win with ease, is likely to continue well into 2023 and beyond, as neither side has successfully secured a decisive victory....
Last weekend our National Defense Fellows concluded their fellowship by attending the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. The forum was attended by members from all aspects of the national security industry; from think tanks and Congress to the military and defense contractors. Panels discussed topics such as combating America’s dwindling military recruitment numbers, strengthening cooperation and...
Currently, Brazil is undergoing a rocky transition to a new government following the election on October 31st. President Jair Bolsonaro, the incumbent, lost a close election to President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil from 2003-2010. The Brazilian election was followed closely by the international community, as Bolsonaro’s populist government was...
Iran has been gripped by a month of protesting following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in September in police custody after allegedly wearing “unsuitable attire.” Amini’s death sparked widespread protests across Iran, strikingly featuring women cutting their hair and burning their hijabs in protest of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s strict religious laws. The government has...
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has taught the world important lessons about European security. Chief among these lessons is that the ability of the United States to deter conflict is not as absolute as once believed. Though Ukraine is not an American treaty ally, it is a security partner and a democratic state. Russia’s aggression...
Last week, the Biden Administration released the much-anticipated National Security Strategy (NSS). The administration had faced heavy criticism for not producing the NSS sooner, as the document is meant to make clear the U.S, strategic priorities clear to the American public, Congress, and our allies. The newly released NSS has received mixed reviews. On the...
This Sunday, October 16, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will host its 20th National Congress. The National Congress occurs once every five years, and many scholars are anticipating this congress to be particularly historic. Xi Jinping, now head of the party for 10 years, is expected to utilize this congress to solidify his prospects for an...
Last weekend, we hosted our Peace Through Strength Boot Camp for our National Defense Fellows. During the opening dinner our guest speaker, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, posed a serious question to the cohort: is the United States prepared for an armed conflict with China? While various speakers addressed specific issues, ranging from civil-military relations to...
On September 25th, Italy will hold a historic election. In a country where machismo has long dominated the political climate, an unlikely character is poised to be appointed as prime minister: a middle-aged single mother. While many would expect this to be a widely celebrated occurrence, some within the European Union and the international community...