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International relations

Why We Exist

The National Interest stands for realism in U.S. international relations, a conviction that foreign policy should be based upon real-world considerations—forces, pressures and passions emanating from factors of culture and geography.

The End of the American Era

Two lost wars. Eroding infrastructure. A crippled economy. The time when the United States could create and lead a political, economic and security order in virtually every part of the world is over. The cure? A new American strategy.

Hegemony with Chinese Characteristics

At its core, ideology fuels the epic struggle between Washington and Beijing. Deeply insecure about its own legitimacy, the Communist Party seeks the subordination of its regional neighbors to appease the nationalist wing of its body politic.

Deepwater Horizon

The Macondo oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico is about to spur a bureaucratic overreaction that will ruin America's chance at becoming an energy exporter.

Conservative Nation

Declarations of conservatism's demise after the 2008 election were greatly exaggerated. As the opposition, American conservatives are in their element—can they draw upon their intellectual tradition to solve what ails America?

If Israel Attacks

As things stand, if Iran continues on its path toward obtaining the bomb, Israel will strike, and the consequences would be disastrous for the entire world. Here's how America can convince Israel to live with a nuclear Iran.

Commentary

The Perils of Militarized Diplomacy

As American power wanes, Washington is running out of ways to influence small European democracies.

Avoiding a Pause in Nuclear-Arms Control

Conventional wisdom holds that little will be accomplished in nuclear-arms control in 2012. How to prove that wisdom wrong.

Sanctions Against Iran Are Overrated

Recent statements by Iranian officials are designed to mislead. Sanctions will not make them change their ways.

Blogs

Shooting First and Asking Questions Later

Americans must ask the tough questions now, not after a military adventure in Iran goes sour. 

The GOP's Allegations of Appeasement Against Obama

Despite the GOP hopefuls' best efforts, the "appeaser" allegation won't stick to Obama. And the alternative is much worse.

After Prevention: Prospects for Deterrence in the Wake of a Military Strike on Iran

Why a preventative strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would be a mistake.

Books & Reviews

The Contradictions of George Kennan

George Kennan presents a study in paradox. With penetrating scholarship, John Lewis Gaddis explores Kennan’s complex psychology and provides an intellectual history of the Cold War in his comprehensive and wonderfully written biography.

Have Gun, Will Travel

The story of the AK-47 reads like a Stalinist myth. Whether it's true or not, the gun is a sure sign of humanity's penchant for violent solutions to conflict.

Qutb and the Jews

The conventional wisdom says Sayyid Qutb is the forefather of modern-day Islamic fundamentalism. What is less known is how the thinker's intense anti-Semitism and contempt for female sexuality contributed to this vulgar worldview.

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February 13, 2012