Following the resignation of Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, Mireya Solís assesses his domestic and international record, institutional changes to Japanese leadership, and the challenges awaiting his successor.
In two new data-packed indices, Sam Gollob and Michael E. O'Hanlon present information on a range of security, economic, and political indicators pertinent to the futures of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the U.S. role within each.
Thomas Wright argues that Republican foreign policy has undergone a lasting shift since the election of President Trump, writing that "the GOP has morphed into the Party of Trump," — something Republican foreign policy will have to reckon with for years to come.
"The fundamental differences between today's interconnected world and the coup's heyday of 1960s-1980s, where rival blocs battled each other in commercial isolation, makes it highly improbable that putsches will make a comeback."
September 1, 2020 | Patrick Quirk and Clayton Besaw, in a Financial Times letter to the editor
International affairs
The United Nations. Jeffrey Feltman reflects onthe United Nations 75 years on, asserting that with strong U.S. leadership, it can remain a force multiplier for U.S. interests in global peace, development, and human rights.
Pakistan-Saudi relations. Madiha Afzal outlines a recent disagreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the issue of Kashmir, noting that while there may be cracks in the friendship, it is premature to expect any realignments. Separately, listen to her discuss the issue in a podcast episode with War on the Rocks.
The eastern Mediterranean.Federica Saini Fasanotti discusses the series of events that helped lead to Turkey's recent provocations in the eastern Mediterranean and outlines steps Washington can take.
Poppy in Mexico.Vanda Felbab-Brown explains the pitfalls of poppy licensing in Mexico, arguing that such a policy is complex and difficult to implement, with highly contingent effects on both violence and rural development.
Global water theft. In a new paper published in Nature, Vanda Felbab-Brown and several co-authors examine the problem of water theft, particularly by agricultural users, and find that penalties are inadequate when regulators fail to understand the value of water.
Europe
Belarusian geopolitics. A Russian intervention in Belarus to support embattled President Alexander Lukashenko would be a costly mistake for Vladimir Putin and could drive Belarus toward the West, argues Steven Pifer.
NATO's relevance. NATO must rethink the nature of burden-sharing, find ways to address democratic backsliding, and define the alliance's role in dealing with China to navigate a post-COVID-19 world, James Goldgeier and Garret Martin say.
Asia
U.S.-China cooperation.James Haynes and Cheng Li argue that just as the U.S. cooperated with the Soviet Union to eradicate smallpox, so it can — and should — — work with China to distribute a vaccine for COVID-19.
U.S.-China competition. On an episode of the Dollar & Sense podcast, Michael Spence joins David Dollar to discuss global technology competition and how emerging technologies will affect the future of economic development. Separately, Dollar analyzes China's path towards economic recovery after COVID-19.
Hong Kong's future. As part of the Global China series, Kurt W. Tong considers how Hong Kong came to face its current challenges and argues that pressure from the international community is the best way to deter further degradation of Hong Kong's autonomy.
Washington and Pyongyang. The United States should give North Korea a stake in peace, writes Michael O'Hanlon, and push for a deal that requires Pyongyang to verifiably dismantle its nuclear weapons capabilities in exchange for a partial lifting of sanctions.
China, Southeast Asia, and COVID-19. In Southeast Asia, Beijing has focused on striking a cooperative tone and highlighting China's positive image throughout the coronavirus pandemic, writes Audrye Wong.
Future of coal in India. In a new book edited by Rahul Tongia, Anurag Sehgal, and Puneet Kamboj, experts explore challenges for India's energy policy and transitions.
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