How do Ukrainians assess the performance and prospects of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, now five months in office, as he tackles the country’s two largest challenges: resolving the war with Russia and implementing economic and anti-corruption reforms? In two words: cautious optimism.
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In the Wake of Soleimani’s Death, Experts Discuss What’s Next for Iran, the U.S., and the Middle East
News / January 16, 2020
Following the death of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, five international affairs experts from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) gathered to discuss Soleimani’s prominence in Iran, the potential consequences of Soleimani’s death on the surrounding Gulf states and U.S.-Iran relations, and the rising presence of Russia and China in the region.
U.S.-Russia Young Professionals Nuclear Forum Participants Receive Rieser Award Honorable Mention
News / January 11, 2020
For the first time in the history of the Leonard M. Rieser Award, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists gave an honorable mention.
Sixth Young Professional Nuclear Forum Held in Moscow in November
News / January 7, 2020
The sixth Young Professional Nuclear Forum (YPNF6), sponsored by the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and the Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute (MEPhI), was held at MEPhI, Moscow, on November 4-7, 2019.
Trump Is Playing With Fire in the Middle East
Commentary / January 4, 2020
With Suleimani’s death, the months-long tit-for-tat cycle of pressure and provocation between Washington and Tehran has entered a much more dangerous phase. The risk of a regionwide conflagration is higher than ever. Shortly before the strike, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper threatened preemptive action to protect U.S. forces, saying "the game has changed." But this is not a game—and the stakes for both sides could not be higher.”
Do Americans approve of Trump’s pardons for court-martialed military officers?
Commentary / December 16, 2019
Americans show much less tolerance for war crimes than they did during the war in Vietnam.
Life after Yucca Mountain: The time has come to reset US nuclear waste policy
Commentary / December 9, 2019
Why care about Ukraine and the Budapest Memorandum
Commentary / December 5, 2019
Original written for Brookings.Com
Since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, the United States has provided Ukraine with $3 billion in reform and military assistance and $3 billion in loan guarantees. U.S. troops in western Ukraine train their Ukrainian colleagues. Washington, in concert with the European Union, has taken steps to isolate Moscow politically and imposed a series of economic and visa sanctions on Russia and Russians.
Workshop Report: The Transatlantic Dialogue on Military Cyber Operations-Amsterdam
Commentary / December 5, 2019
Q & A: Brett McGurk, former envoy for coalition fighting ISIS under Obama, Trump
Q&A / December 2, 2019
How to End the War in Ukraine
Commentary / November 21, 2019
For more than five years, Russian forces and their proxies have waged a bloody war against Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives, driven almost two million people from their homes, and caused immense material damage. France and Germany have together sought to broker peace but failed to produce a durable cease-fire—let alone a political settlement....
Post-political uncertainties: Governing nuclear controversies in post-Fukushima Japan
News / November 21, 2019
Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter Reflects on Government and Tech and Discusses Why Young People Should Pursue a Career in Public Service
News / November 19, 2019
Two former Department of Defense (DoD) officials shared the stage at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), where they discussed the decision to remove U.S. troops from northern Syria, women in the military, and the importance of public service.
5G and Security: There is More to Worry about than Huawei
Commentary / November 12, 2019
Given much of the recent coverage surrounding security and the fifth generation (5G) of cellular networks, you would be forgiven for assuming that security concerns are largely limited to China in general and Huawei in particular.
This is not the case.
Congress, Nord Stream II, and Ukraine
News / November 12, 2019
Congress has long weighed sanctions as a tool to block the Nord Stream II gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. Unfortunately, it has mulled the question too long, and time has run out. With some 85% of the pipeline already laid, new congressional sanctions aimed at companies participating in the pipeline’s construction will not stop it. Instead, they will become a new bone of contention between the United States and Europe.
Order from Chaos: Five months into Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s term, there are reasons for optimism and caution
News / November 8, 2019
Editor's Note: The observations in this article are based on the author’s conversations with Ukrainians, both inside and outside of government, and others in Kyiv during an October 31-November 2, 2019 visit.
An Indian Nuclear Power Plant Suffered a Cyberattack. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Commentary / November 4, 2019
Authorities don’t seem to understand the real threat from cyber-operations.
Brett McGurk Recounts the Fight Against ISIS and Considers the Future Of Northern Syria
News / November 1, 2019
Following the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the decision by President Donald Trump to remove U.S. troops from northern Syria, there are many questions surrounding the future of the region, which is controlled in part by Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremists, former Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Brett McGurk told Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Director Michael McFaul on the World Class podcast.
It's Time To Get U.S. Nukes Out Of Turkey
Commentary / October 30, 2019
U.S.-Turkish relations have plunged to a new nadir. In the past month, a senior Republican senator has suggested suspending Turkey’s membership in the NATO alliance, while the secretary of state implied a readiness to use military force against America’s wayward ally.
In these circumstances, U.S. nuclear weapons have no business in Turkey. It is time to bring them home.
