Publications

This backgrounder reviews Donald Trump’s proposed changes to US foreign policy, how he has acted on them thus far, and what actions he might take in the future. The policy areas the text looks at include 1) US trade policy; 2) the strengthening of...chevron_right

OK, so why are the arrests happening? This brief ascribes them to 1) the fear hard-liners in Tehran have of opening up to the West; 2) their aggressive desire to protect the Iranian people from ‘ideological subversion’; and...chevron_right

This paper recapitulates the debate within the UK over the country's faltering EU membership. In particular, the paper’s author discusses 1) the history of UK-EU relations; 2) why David Cameron tried to change Britain's terms of membership prior to...chevron_right

This backgrounder explores the plight of the Rohingya, which is the Muslim ethnic minority group that is either suffering or fleeing persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. More specifically, the text’s authors 1) describe the legal status of the group in...chevron_right

This backgrounder 1) traces the origins of the Colombian government’s conflict with the country’s rebels, and 2) identifies what’s needed to sustain the late-2016 peace agreement between the three parties. While exploring these broader points, the...chevron_right

This paper argues that the US has paid too little attention to the growing problems posed by water disputes, particularly in areas where it has strategic interests. To overcome this threat, the text’s author argues that pragmatic steps must be taken, including...chevron_right

This discussion paper argues that the US’ two terms on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have improved the body’s performance in several ways. Indeed, the UNHRC has 1) strengthened its commitment to country-level action; 2) helped fortify norms that…chevron_right

This paper discusses the cybersecurity risks posed by the mistrust that exists between the US government and the country’s high technology community, and what might be done to overcome the problem. While the text agrees that repairing the rift may...chevron_right

This backgrounder reviews the various actors involved in Syria’s civil war. It specifically profiles 1) pro-government forces, including Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia; 2) opposition forces, such as The Free Syrian Army and the US; 3) the so-called Islamic State; and...chevron_right

This brief anticipates Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's meeting with US President Barack Obama in Hawaii on December 26–27, 2016. It specifically focuses on 1) the significance of Abe visiting Pearl Harbor; 2) how the meeting will provide a chance to...chevron_right

OK, so how should you further try to democratize the Middle East? This brief suggests you 1) agitate for political liberalization, both officially and via public pressure; 2) emphasize political party building; and 3) set flexible goals.chevron_right

This backgrounder reviews the often fraught relationship between China and Taiwan. It specifically discusses 1) the One China principle, which continues to assert that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the PRC; 2) Taiwan's historical relationship to China, which has fueled...chevron_right

This paper reviews America's foreign direct investment (FDI) policies, including 1) how the US benefits from FDI; 2) some of the concerns this form of investment raises; 3) how federal oversight of foreign investments has...chevron_right

This article unpacks the reasons behind the November 2016 public demonstrations in South Korea against President Park Geun¬hye. The text’s author also discusses three interrelated issues that must be addressed if political stability is...chevron_right

This analysis reviews US trade policy and how it relates to wider ongoing free trade agreements. In particular, the text’s author discusses 1) how US trade policy has evolved since the end of WWII; 2) the status of US trade agreements in 2016; 3) the details that...chevron_right