Why the House Speaker finally greenlit Ukraine aid Sarah Binder - April 23, 2024 There are underappreciated factors behind Rep. Mike Johnson’s shift.
Taiwan’s 2024 elections were not just about China Wei-ting Yen - January 31, 2024 These five points help decode the January election outcome.
Will the deadly drone attack draw the U.S. into a major war? Stacie Goddard - January 29, 2024 The spiral vs. deterrence model, explained, as violence surges in the Middle East.
Good to Know: The U.S. commitment to Taiwan Jeremy Wallace - January 10, 2024 U.S.-Taiwan relations are complicated. Here's an explainer.
Why Congress’s 2023 was so dismal Sarah Binder - December 26, 2023 And be ready for a repeat in 2024.
The UN set out to protect human rights 75 years ago Kelebogile Zvobgo - December 10, 2023 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was an important start – but there’s much work still ahead.
Back to face-to-face: What you need to know about the Biden-Xi summit Jeremy Wallace - November 16, 2023 Talk between nuclear-armed superpowers is usually a good thing.
Will Congress shut down the government over aid to Israel and Ukraine? Elizabeth N. Saunders, Sarah Binder, Michael Tesler, Jordan Tama, and Andrew Payne - November 14, 2023 Four experts examine how U.S. foreign policy is dividing both Republicans and Democrats.
Will foreign policy actually matter in the 2024 U.S. election? Elizabeth N. Saunders - September 21, 2023 It may not matter much to voters, but foreign policy is definitely on the ballot.
Did the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan harm U.S. credibility? Christopher Clary - September 20, 2023 Here’s the latest research.
These were our 10 most popular posts of 2022 E.J. Graff - December 30, 2022 The Monkey Cage 2022 roundup: Top 10
Leaders around the world made bold moves in 2022. They didn’t always succeed. Elizabeth N. Saunders - December 29, 2022 The TMC 2022 roundups: The international beat
Why protesters are targeting Xi Jinping for China’s ‘zero covid’ failures Jeremy Wallace - November 30, 2022 Protests across China reveal the depth of anger and frustration over strict government lockdown policies
Liberal Democrats are more hawkish than you might think Emily Sullivan and Dina Smeltz - November 16, 2022 They’re the ones who endorse military support for Ukraine, Taiwan and other places when there’s a threat to human rights or democracy.
What has changed between China and Taiwan? Scott L. Kastner - November 10, 2022 Even before the latest surge in tensions, the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait was on the rise
China’s top leadership excludes women for the first time in two decades Shan-Jan Liu - November 10, 2022 Is Xi Jinping’s new all-male Politburo backing away from the communist party’s commitment to advancing women?
How does the U.S. block China from getting microchips made abroad? Henry Farrell - October 8, 2022 There is a long history behind the global control America has over semiconductors.
Taiwanese people will be reassured by Pelosi’s visit, research says Yao-Yuan Yeh, Fang-Yu Chen, Charles K.S. Wu, and Austin Horng-En Wang - August 2, 2022 A high-level visit might boost confidence in U.S. security commitments
What Shinzo Abe’s assassination means for Japanese politics Daniel M. Smith - July 9, 2022 Abe stepped down as prime minister in 2020, but never stepped away
Taiwan is moving away from ‘zero-covid.’ That’s harder than it seems. Wei-ting Yen and Li-Yin Liu - June 1, 2022 When people see the virus as a national threat, they expect strict government policies to remain in place
The Philippines elected a dictator’s son. Why are dynasties popular? James Loxton - May 26, 2022 Ties to a former dictatorship are quite common in new democracies, this research explains
Ukraine invasion tests the relationship between Russia and China Elizabeth Wishnick and Andrew Taffer - March 14, 2022 Their ‘unlimited’ partnership may have some limits after all
Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine could break the international order Sara Mitchell, Paul Hensel, Krista Wiegand, and Andrew Owsiak - March 3, 2022 Would other countries also try to claim territory that contains their ethnic kin?
When Xi and Putin declared a united front against the United States Stacie Goddard - February 8, 2022 A February 2022 joint statement reveals strong views about sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The conflict over Ukraine is a conflict over international order. That makes it nearly impossible to resolve. Bear Braumoeller - January 31, 2022 Why are two world powers so intent on controlling Ukraine?
China’s nuclear arsenal is growing. What does that mean for U.S.-China relations? M. Taylor Fravel and Fiona S. Cunningham - November 10, 2021 The new Pentagon report reveals China’s worries about U.S. missile defenses.
The World Bank had to scrap its popular business report. That says a lot about the politics of numbers. Lukas Linsi - October 15, 2021 Economic statistics are far more ambiguous — and malleable — than most people realize.
Would China’s move to join this transpacific trade pact push the U.S. to rejoin? It’s complicated. Kristen Hopewell - September 27, 2021 Membership would probably place China firmly at the center of regional and global supply chains.
Did the Afghanistan exit diminish U.S. credibility among its allies? Probably not. Ronald Krebs and Jennifer Spindel - August 31, 2021 Prolonged wars make allies nervous, our research on Vietnam shows.
Has Japan’s policy toward the Taiwan Strait changed? Adam P. Liff - August 17, 2021 Its approach is far more stable and nuanced than recent headlines suggest
Tokyo wants to upgrade Japan’s defense capacity. A demographic crisis could get in the way. Tom Phuong Le - July 29, 2021 Recruiting military personnel has become increasingly difficult as the population ages
Do the Olympics promote nationalism — and international conflict? Here’s the research. Kathleen Powers - July 26, 2021 Real-world rivalries often play out in the Olympic arena
The Cold War is a poor analogy for today’s U.S.-China tensions Jessica Chen Weiss - July 11, 2021 That view ignores China’s deep challenges — and the strength of U.S. diplomacy
How do you persuade skeptics to get vaccinated? Trust matters more than information. Pauline Jones and Laura Rozek - June 10, 2021 That’s what we found by surveying more than 15 countries in five world regions
Biden’s in Europe to reassure nervous allies. When does reassurance work? Brian Blankenship - June 10, 2021 Reinforcing alliances is a useful foreign policy tool, research finds
International relations scholar Nuno Monteiro asked and answered the big questions about real-world politics Sebastian Rosato, David Edelstein, and Alexandre Debs - May 20, 2021 Monteiro, who passed away this month, influenced debates about U.S. dominance in the world
China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomats like to talk tough Yaoyao Dai and Luwei Rose Luqiu - May 11, 2021 We analyzed 20 years of Chinese Foreign Ministry transcripts to track the increase in hostile language
Chinese investment in Africa involves more than megaprojects. Private enterprises also are making their mark. Yoon Jung Park - April 16, 2021 We looked at the impact of private Chinese investments in seven countries
Big ships were created to avoid relying on the Suez Canal Laleh Khalili - March 26, 2021 Ironically, in 2021 a big ship blocked the canal, disrupting global shipping.
Biden wants to reassure allies that the U.S. is still interested in their security Brian Blankenship - March 3, 2021 Here’s why reassurances work.
China and India are pulling back from the brink. They’ve created a buffer zone and started talks. M. Taylor Fravel - March 3, 2021 Each side had deployed thousands of troops along the contested border.
U.S. policymakers often criticize Chinese investment in Africa. The research tells a more complicated story. Yoon Jung Park and Lina Benabdallah - February 18, 2021 This new series explores what’s really going on in debt relief, infrastructure and other critical issues across the continent
Iran and Turkey have become drone powers James Rogers - January 27, 2021 Drones have become the weapon of choice around the world.
China’s leaders say that Biden offers a ‘new window of hope.’ Their experts are more skeptical. Kacie Miura and Jessica Chen Weiss - January 21, 2021 Beijing is likely to seek short-term stability as it anticipates a long-term advantage
Legislators threw pig guts in Taiwan’s parliament. Here’s what you need to know about legislative brawls. Shelley Rigger and Nathan Batto - December 11, 2020 Disruptive tactics around the world get rewarded, sometimes.
Jacinda Ardern’s pandemic leadership will probably win her a second term in New Zealand Nina Hall - October 16, 2020 But the next government won’t find it easy to balance relations with the U.S. and China.
How China sees the U.S. policy of ‘strategic ambiguity’ in the Taiwan Strait Jie Dalei - October 15, 2020 Changes in U.S. policy have heightened Beijing’s concerns about an incremental drift toward Taiwan independence.
China is getting tough with Taiwan. How will that affect U.S. policy? Steven M. Goldstein - October 1, 2020 The U.S. posture of “strategic ambiguity” has helped keep the peace for decades
The U.S. has dialed up the rhetoric on Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea Todd H. Hall - July 24, 2020 The verbal escalation of this dispute may make it harder to find offramps
Beijing increasingly relies on economic coercion to reach its diplomatic goals Gloria Xiong - July 23, 2020 Here’s why this type of retaliation may turn out to be more symbolic than powerful
How China’s new national security law will hobble Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement Maggie Shum - July 13, 2020 Protesters and candidates face new risks
Trump’s decision to pull U.S. out of WHO will boost China’s influence Yanzhong Huang - June 22, 2020 The organization will probably look to Beijing for funding and leadership support
Why are China and India skirmishing at their border? Here’s 4 things to know. M. Taylor Fravel - June 2, 2020 India is close to completing a major upgrade of border roads
Nationalism in China is running high. Here’s how Beijing reins it in. Kai Quek - June 1, 2020 A new study shows Chinese citizens value the image of a peaceful China.
Which kinds of democracies respond more effectively to a pandemic? Joel Selway - May 19, 2020 When citizens vote for parties rather than individuals, countries gain better health systems
How democracies can survive dilemmas like the coronavirus Roberto Stefan Foa and Andrew James Klassen - May 12, 2020 Effective crisis leadership helps them rebound.
Coronavirus may have emptied Hong Kong’s streets, but the pro-democracy protests continue Maggie Shum - April 22, 2020 As the government cracks down on dissent, protests have moved into the courts
The coronavirus is expanding the surveillance state. How will this play out? Ben Power - March 27, 2020 Improvised tech solutions today may be permanent policies tomorrow.
Why China and the U.S. can’t cooperate to fight coronavirus Ali Wyne - March 26, 2020 These new rifts have begun to emerge
China already leads 4 of the 15 U.N. specialized agencies — and is aiming for a 5th Shing-Hon Lam and Courtney J. Fung - March 3, 2020 Beijing is campaigning to lead the global intellectual property agency
Mike Pompeo criticized China for not respecting its neighbors’ territorial integrity. What’s the story? M. Taylor Fravel - February 21, 2020 Here’s how Beijing has resolved territorial disputes
El Salvador’s president sent troops to occupy the legislature. Here’s what’s going on. Michael Paarlberg - February 17, 2020 Nayib Bukele is popular with the people, but not with lawmakers.
Taiwan’s first female president easily won reelection. Are Asian women taking note? Shan-Jan Liu - February 10, 2020 This election was about more than Taiwan’s uneasy relations with China
What Taiwan’s election says about Beijing’s Taiwan policy Shelley Rigger - January 22, 2020 It’s more complicated than it seems
Did China actually try to install a spy in Australia’s Parliament? The many murky details make it hard to know. Andrew Chubb - December 24, 2019 Sensational reporting isn’t helping the public discussion on security concerns.
Don’t want to discuss Trump or impeachment at Thanksgiving? Try this instead. Vanessa Lide and E.J. Graff - November 26, 2019 Dazzle (or distract) the table with what else has been happening while they weren’t looking.
Hong Kong citizens just voted for more democracy. What happens now? Victoria Hui - November 26, 2019 These local election results won’t keep protesters out of the streets.
Hong Kong’s District Council elections take place on Nov. 24. Or not. Maggie Shum - November 14, 2019 Here’s what’s so special about this local election
Chile’s streets are filled with protests. How did a 4 percent fare hike set off such rage? Alisha Holland - October 31, 2019 The metro symbolizes the vast distances — geographically and economically — between rich and poor.
Is China’s influence at the United Nations all it’s cracked up to be? Courtney J. Fung - October 6, 2019 Here are five things to know
Trump will send troops to Saudi Arabia. Here’s why it matters that there’s no formal defense alliance. Mira Rapp-Hooper - September 22, 2019 The U.S. has a number of mutual defense treaties — but not with Saudi Arabia or Israel.
Why Taiwan is watching Hong Kong very closely Shelley Rigger - September 3, 2019 How ‘one country, two systems’ plays out in Hong Kong could factor into Taiwan’s 2020 elections.
What is China’s propaganda machine saying about the Hong Kong protests? Kecheng Fang - August 18, 2019 Beijing blames foreign forces for inciting ‘riots.’ Here’s why that makes sense in China.
Trump just said buying Greenland would be ‘a large real estate deal.’ He’s making a dangerous mistake. Stacie Goddard - August 16, 2019 Trump doesn’t seem to understand that nations don’t buy and sell territory any more.
Hong Kong waits for Beijing’s next move. Here’s what the experts say. Jessica Weiss - August 15, 2019 Why a military intervention could be costly on many fronts
The Trump administration wants to be able to break into your encrypted data. Here’s what you need to know. Tim Maurer and Garrett Hinck - July 29, 2019 And so do governments around the world.
How fears of ‘mainlandization’ fuel Hong Kong’s mass protests Nathan Kar Ming Chan, Lev Nachman, and Chit Wai John Mok - July 2, 2019 The city turns out to protest when China attempts to exert influence.
Why Hong Kong has become a city of protests Yongshun Cai - July 1, 2019 The latest protests differ from earlier ones in significant ways.
Why are there massive protests in Hong Kong? Vanessa Lide - June 30, 2019 Catch up on Hong Kong’s political battles with Beijing.
The G-20 is discussing the ‘international liberal order.’ That’s a bad place to start a debate. Charles Glaser - June 28, 2019 Talk about the ‘liberal order’ ducks the real disagreements in the Pacific
How cyber operations can help manage crisis escalation with Iran Brandon Valeriano and Benjamin Jensen - June 24, 2019 The research suggests this might be a digital off-ramp to war.
What will Taiwan’s same-sex marriages mean in the rest of Asia? Joseph O'Mahoney and Enze Han - May 24, 2019 It’s likely to inspire activists, but other legislatures have a long way to go.
Debate over Hong Kong’s proposed extradition law devolves into a scuffle in the legislative council Michael C. Davis - May 11, 2019 This law could open the door to extradition to China, and that’s the problem.
There’s a new chapter in Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy and autonomy Victoria Hui - May 2, 2019 What happened to the Umbrella Movement leaders? And what is Beijing trying to do?
China is pushing back against Taiwan for these three reasons Ketian Vivian Zhang - April 7, 2019 Here are the latest tensions in China-Taiwan relations — and why the U.S. is in the middle.
Trump’s Golan Heights tweet will have global consequences on territorial expansion Stacie Goddard - March 23, 2019 As if undercutting efforts to build a lasting peace with the Palestinians and the region weren’t enough.
Why China takes a middle-of-the-road policy toward North Korea Leif-Eric Easley - February 28, 2019 Beijing avoids conflicts on China’s doorstep.
U.S. trade negotiators want to end China’s forced tech transfers. That could backfire. Yu Zhou - January 28, 2019 [caption id="attachment_74894" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Under President Xi Jinping, a program
Why it’s so hard for the U.S. to have a coherent China policy Brandon Yoder - January 17, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82666" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman walks by a Beijing
Three big takeaways from Xi Jinping’s 2019 Taiwan speech Jie Dalei - January 10, 2019 Xi voiced a new sense of urgency for unification — but no timetable.
40 years later, U.S.-China relations are rocky. Or not. Xiaoyu Pu - January 10, 2019 [caption id="attachment_80247" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping, right, meets
The Trump administration downgraded the E.U.’s diplomatic status in Washington. That’s going to hurt. Karen Smith - January 8, 2019 [caption id="attachment_42786" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A European Union flag, with a
Egypt banned the sale of yellow vests. Are the French protests spreading? Dawn Brancati and Adrián Lucardi - January 8, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82291" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators wearing yellow vests carry a
Four key takeaways from Taiwan’s recent election surprises Kevin Luo and Fang-Yu Chen - December 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81654" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A voter reacts during the initial
Taiwan votes on 10 referendums this week. Here’s what you need to know. Shan-Jan Liu and Austin Wang - November 21, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80530" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a
Chinese leaders tried before to assimilate the Uighurs. This time it might face less resistance. Justin Jacobs - October 31, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79596" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese military police attend an anti-terrorist
China just asserted its hold over the South China Sea. Will ASEAN nations push back? Daniel O'Neill - October 15, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A photo taken April 21, 2017,
What the Trump administration’s confrontational approach misses about China Scott Kastner, Margaret Pearson, and Chad Rector - October 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78824" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past
Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion for Africa. Where will the money go? Winslow Robertson and Lina Benabdallah - September 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77825" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping stands with
Xi Jinping is visiting Africa this week. Here’s why China is such a popular development partner. Deborah Bräutigam - July 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76016" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Well-wishers holding flags wait for the