Analysis + Opinion | 2023

 
The silhouette of an American flag

Analysis + Opinion

May 23, 2023

Did the unipolar moment ever end?

Foreign Affairs

Is the global distribution of power today is closer to being unipolar than it is to being bipolar or multipolar? Experts weigh in. 

The aftermath of clashes in Khartoum, Sudan, April 2023

Analysis + Opinion

May 1, 2023

Sudan’s generals are dragging the country toward disaster

Mai Hassan and Ahmed KodoudaForeign Affairs

Only civilian leaders can forge a path to piece. 

Soldiers wearing camouflage march down a desert road

Analysis + Opinion

April 23, 2023

Why security assistance often fails

Rachel Tecott MetzLawfare

Around the world, the United States relies heavily on security assistance to gain influence and make its allies more formidable. When actual war breaks out, however, many long-time recipients of such assistance fight poorly or otherwise do not seem to have heeded the lessons that U.S. trainers tried to impart.

Analysis + Opinion

April 21, 2023

The threat of civil breakdown is real

Steven Simon and Jonathan StevensonPolitico

National security officials are still not prepared for a far-right revolt.

Smoke over Khartoum

Analysis + Opinion

April 20, 2023

The failed “coup-proofing” behind the recent violence in Sudan

Isaac ChotinerThe New Yorker

Isaac Chotiner interviews Mai Hassan, Faculty Director of MIT Africa and Associate Professor of Political Science, about the recent violence in Sudan. 

Headshot of Dick Samuels

Analysis + Opinion

April 10, 2023

The cost of 'normalcy': Updating Japan's national security

Richard J SamuelsYale MacMillan Center Council on East Asian Studies

Richard J Samuels, Ford International Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for International Studies, gives the 23rd Annual John W Hall Lecture in Japanese Studies. 

Analysis + Opinion

March 16, 2023

You can go home again: A proposal for phased military withdrawal from Iraq and normalizing US–Iraq relations

Steven Simon and Adam WeinsteinQuincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

US interests in Iraq are derived from an interest in regional stability and impel the continuation of an “advise, assist, and enable” mission in the near term. There is no need, however, to maintain a long–term military presence in the country. 

Analysis + Opinion

February 24, 2023

Nuclear war theory: Continuity and change

Stephen Van EveraColumbia SIPA

Ford International Professor of Political Science Stephen Van Evera participated in A Conference on Today’s Competitive Geopolitical Landscape – in honor of Robert Jervis, hosted by the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He spoke on a panel about Robert Jervis' work on nuclear war theory.

Map of Ukraine

Analysis + Opinion

February 13, 2023

Lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Barry Posen and Stephen Van EveraDefense Priorities

MIT Security Studies Program Professors Barry Posen and Stephen Van Evera, along with other top experts, share their insights on key takeaways from the first year of the war in Ukraine.

Japanese and Chinese flags

Analysis + Opinion

February 7, 2023

Japan, China hold Foreign Minister call days after NATO chief’s visit

Mina PollmannThe Diplomat

Tokyo continues to try to keep relations with Beijing stable even as it deepens military cooperation with NATO and other partners.

Analysis + Opinion

February 3, 2023

A better way to protect free speech on campus

Malick W GhachemThe Chronicle of Higher Education

Grand statements of principle ignore classroom realities. 

Taiwanese soldiers

Analysis + Opinion

January 31, 2023

Why we believe the US still has the upper hand in a war over Taiwan

Eric HeginbothamNewsweek

Recently conducted simulations of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan...show that although such a war would be costly to all sides, China would lose—so long as the United States continues to invest in maintaining deterrence and chooses to intervene directly and vigorously.

Antony Blinken

Analysis + Opinion

January 30, 2023

As Blinken visits Israel amid violence, US confirms drone attacks on Iran

Steven SimonResponsible Statecraft

While affirming Washington’s strategy against Tehran, Blinken will have to convince Netanyahu against flaming an Israeli-Palestinian war.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president of Kazakhstan, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Analysis + Opinion

January 29, 2023

Russia in the Caucasus and Central Asia after the invasion of Ukraine

Carol R SaivetzLawfare

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reshaped the politics of much of the former Soviet periphery. 

Analysis + Opinion

January 13, 2023

Biden is about to have his hands full in the Middle East

Aaron David Miller and Steven SimonForeign Policy

Iran and Israel may set Washington’s agenda for the next two years.

Analysis + Opinion

January 4, 2023

Russia's rebound

Barry R PosenForeign Affairs

How Moscow has partially recovered from its military setbacks.