Political philosophy Articles

The Good Autocrat

Robert D. Kaplan | Jun 21, 2011
A stark contrast exists between the tyrannical rulers of the Middle East and the benign despots of East Asia. The precepts of Enlightenment thought dictate freedom for all, but Confucian leaders offer a heretical alternative to Western ideals.

Finding Forster

Ian Buruma | Oct 20, 2010
The antiliberal defenders of civilization—resisting the Ground Zero mosque—are wrong. Liberalism still offers the best hope for combating extremism.

On War and Choice

Lawrence Freedman | Apr 20, 2010
It has long been said that there are wars of necessity and wars of choice. But enemies always adapt, especially in our world of terrorists, failing states and delinquent regimes. Every war is a war of choice.

Teuton the Introvert

Jacob Heilbrunn | Feb 23, 2010
Germany was once the most powerful nation on the Continent. Now it is spiraling toward mediocrity.

The Bell Tolls for NATO

Ilana Bet-El
Rupert Smith
| Jan 02, 2008
NATO is in a struggle for its life, and Afghanistan just may deliver the fatal blow.

Perestroika Cubana

Raj M. Desai
Itzhak Goldberg
| Aug 29, 2007
Rather than using the Chinese model of gradualism, the Castro brothers should look to Eastern Europe for cues.

Learning to Appreciate France

Paul J. Saunders | Mar 01, 2007
The United States can’t bring the democratic nations of the world together—why should we expect it to lead the way for everyone else?

Mid-Life Crisis?

Marc Perrin de Brichambaut | Mar 01, 2007
The OSCE is not a relic of the Cold War. Instead, it may be the only body that can tackle problems across Eurasia.

Ahead of the Curve: The TNI Archives

| Feb 01, 2007
Six-party talks over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program are set to resume this Thursday on the heels of failed talks in December and Kim Jong-il’s provocative nuclear test in October. TNI takes a look back at other crucial junctures in A

Lines in the Sand

Robert Delahunty
John Yoo
| Jan 03, 2007
A nation-state’s borders are not sacrosanct. Failed states should be fragmented into more governable parts.

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May 26, 2012