News + Media

A statue of a soldier facing Xiamen, China, from Kinmen, Taiwan, August 2018

Analysis + Opinion

August 16, 2021

Strait of emergency? Debating Beijing’s threat to Taiwan

Rachel Esplin Odell and Eric HeginbothamForeign Affairs

Recent articles that warn of the growing risk of Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait have become so common that they have created something of an invasion panic in Washington—one that is damaging to both the United States’ and Taiwan’s interests according to Rachel Esplin Odell and Eric Heginbotham

Headshot of Ada Petriczko smiling

News Release

August 16, 2021

Human rights journalist Ada Petriczko joins CIS as its Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow

Petriczko will research topics from her recent reportage, including the rise of Hindu nationalism in India and the stability of democracy in her home country of Poland

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has emerged as a spokeswoman for the regime in Pyongyang. (Felipe Dana/AP)

In the News

August 10, 2021

North Korea threatens to boost nuclear program ahead of drills between US and ‘perfidious’ South

Min Joo Kim and Simon DenyerThe Washington Post

Quoted: “I would likely interpret it — in the broader context — to be the overall nuclear deterrent and posture,” said Vipin Narang, an MIT professor who specializes in nuclear strategy. Pyongyang last carried out a nuclear test in 2017, but it has tested ballistic missiles as recently as March.

A Taliban flag flies in the main square of Kunduz, Afghanistan, after fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces on Aug. 8. (Abdullah Sahil/AP)

Analysis + Opinion

August 9, 2021

The Taliban has seized more cities, despite US efforts to build a strong Afghan military. What happened?

Rachel TecottThe Washington Post

Persuading partners to emulate the US military approach doesn’t necessarily work, new research finds. Rachel Tecott explains in this opinion piece.

US soldier with large gun standing tall

Analysis + Opinion

August 6, 2021

The transatlantic relationship: Radical reform is in the US national interest

Barry R PosenThe Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

The North Atlantic Alliance is now over 70 years old and much has changed since its birth.  The United States role in the alliance, its interests and how best to pursue them, are due for a serious reconsideration and Barry Posen argues that the Biden Administration should look carefully at US interests in Europe and the threats to those interests. 

This undated satellite image obtained July 29 courtesy of Planet Labs shows what researchers say are missile silos under construction in the Chinese desert. (AFP/Getty Images)

Analysis + Opinion

August 3, 2021

Commercial satellites — not US intelligence — revealed China’s missile program

Theo Milonopoulos and Erik Lin-Greenberg The Washington Post

The proliferation of commercial satellites has upended a near-monopoly on government intelligence gathering. And this also means leaders now have less freedom — both politically and strategically — to handle this kind of news.

Kim Jong-un health fears as mysterious spot appears (Image: KCTV)

In the News

August 3, 2021

Kim Jong-un health fears: Mystery spot and bandage appear on back of NK leader's head

Steven BrownExpress

Quoted: Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at MIT, added that "if [the sudden weight loss] is due to a health condition though, the jockeying for his succession may already be happening behind the scenes, and that volatility could be trouble for the outside world" if he were to pass away.

Apekshya Prasai is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science. Drawing on original data collected through fieldwork in Nepal and secondary data from across South Asia, her dissertation analyzes the processes that trigger women’s inclusion in rebel organizations and examines how women themselves influence these processes.

In the News

July 30, 2021

Apekshya Prasai receives 2021 Jeanne Guillemin Prize

Michelle EnglishMIT News

The award, supporting women pursuing doctorates in security studies, will help the PhD candidate investigate the dynamics of women’s participation in conflict.

Apekshya Prasai smiling, standing in front of buildings

News Release

July 30, 2021

Apekshya Prasai receives 2021 Jeanne Guillemin Prize

The award, supporting women pursuing doctorates in security studies, will help the PhD candidate investigate the dynamics of women’s participation in conflict.

Chinese engineers erected an inflatable dome over the construction site of an underground missile silo, left, to hide the work below. Support facilities and temporary storage for construction equipment are seen at right.Credit...Planet Labs Inc.

In the News

July 28, 2021

A 2nd new nuclear missile base for China, and many questions about strategy

The New York Times

Quoted: “Just because you build the silos doesn’t mean you have to fill them all with missiles," said Vipin Narang. "They can move them around.”

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