Diplomacy & International Relations

The Absence of Conflict Is a Win (Jackson Janes – German Marshall Fund of the United States)

The outcome of the first meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump was marked as much by what did not...

Russia’s Defense Ties in the Middle East Poised to Rebound (Anna Borshchevskaya, Matt Tavares – Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Russia’s defense relationships in the Middle East and North Africa have been gravely weakened as a result of its war in Ukraine. However, a...

Reducing the U.S. Presence in Syria Too Quickly Could Help the Islamic State (Ido Levy – Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

On June 2, U.S. officials reportedly revealed that 500 American troops have been withdrawn from Syria in recent weeks, bringing the total presence to...

While Other Countries Push for a Palestinian State, Israel Is Increasing Its West Bank Presence (Neomi Neumann – Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

As international momentum for recognizing a Palestinian state grows—exemplified by the French- and Saudi-sponsored summit to be convened in New York on June 17—the...

An “Enrichment Consortium” Is No Panacea for the Iran Nuclear Dilemma (Richard Nephew, Patrick Clawson – Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

On May 31, U.S. negotiators reportedly presented Iran with a proposal for a regional “uranium enrichment consortium,” which authorities in Tehran have said they...

Saudi Arabia’s AI ambition, and what it means for the United States (Mohammed Soliman – Middle East Institute)

A day before Air Force One touched down in Riyadh to kick off US President Donald Trump’s three-country tour of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia...

The EU sets out its International Digital Strategy (European Commission)

Today, the European Commission and the High Representative are setting out a joint vision for the EU's external action for digital. As the digital...

Israel announces defense export record: $15 billion in 2024 (Tzally Greenberg – Defense News)

Israel’s defense export reached $14.79 billion in 2024, setting a new record at a 13% increase over the previous year, Israel’s Ministry of Defense...

Russia aims to ride the BRICS to AI victory (Ivana Stradner – Defense One)

As the AI competition between the United States and China heats up, Vladimir Putin is desperate to have a horse in the race. The...

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