February 19, 2021

Can a political breakthrough mend a broken Libya?

Following the 10-year anniversary of the uprising in Libya that ousted long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi, Stephanie Williams and Jeffrey Feltman explain how the selection of a new interim Libyan executive authority signals hope.

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Separately, five experts analyze what they see as key dynamics at this stage in Libya, particularly as it relates to nonstate armed actors.

New Book—Rivalry and Response: Assessing Great Power Dynamics in Southeast Asia

In a new book from the Brookings Institution Press, editor Jonathan Stromseth brings together a team of eight experts from Southeast Asia, Australia, and the United States to explore the power dynamics between the U.S. and China. 

More on the book

A superpower, like it or not: Why Americans must accept their global role

"[Americans'] capacity for global power exceeds their perception of their proper place and role in the world," writes Robert Kagan; "The time has come to tell Americans that there is no escape from global responsibility."

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The Middle East

The future of the Middle East. Marc Lynch and Shibley Telhami survey Middle East experts about the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the threat of nuclear proliferation in Iran, the legacies of the Arab uprisings, and more.

Iraq's militia problem. The need for economic revival and the threat from Shiite militia groups are two underlying challenges that make ISIS a continued threat in Iraq; Washington should work to address both, argues Ranj Alaaldin. 

The Biden administration 

Trade policy. On an episode of the Dollar & Sense podcast, Mary E. Lovely joins David Dollar to discuss the potential effects of Biden’s “Buy American” policy, U.S.-China engagement, and what else we know about the administration’s emerging trade agenda. 

Working with India. Analyzing U.S.-India relations under the Biden administration, Tanvi Madan concludes that New Delhi will seek to consolidate ties with Washington and focus on cooperation.

U.S. foreign policy. Arguing that the new international landscape requires a fresh approach to how the U.S. works with partners, confronts rivals, and advances its interests, William Burke-White proposes six principles for more effective multilateralism. 

Economic policies in Asia. "To sustain U.S. power and influence in Asia, the Biden administration should enhance economic engagement with the region — particularly in Southeast Asia, which has become a hotbed of strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington," write David Dollar and Jonathan Stromseth. 

The Pentagon and space. While the U.S. military now treats space as a warfighting domain, it is still not poised to seize and hold the high ground for years to come, caution Michael Sinclair and Mir Sadat.