Robocop and Iran
The 2014 remake of ‘Robocop’ presents lots of interesting talking points for those in the IR community such as the debate over a US war with Iran & the use of killer robots.
The NSA Revelations and the State of American Intelligence
The end result of the NSA debate is likely to be an even more capable intelligence community that is better supported by the leaders who guide it and the people it protects.
No New Dawn Likely in US-Iran Relations
When a reformer from outside the clerical regime speaks about change it will be worth listening to. Until then it is likely that Rouhani is either a wolf in sheep’s clothing or a dupe.
Broadening the Reputation Debate Over Syria
Does reputation matter, and is it worth a military strike? The call for prudence may be the best formula for managing American policy in Syria, avoiding the negative reactions that challenge America’s long-term power and broader goals.
The Syrian Deadlock – Bashar al-Assad and Barak Obama’s Moment of Truth
Bashar al-Assad may play his cards well and stay in power in Syria, however, the future of the Middle East – as well as the future of the Syrian campaign – is likely to be decided by Washington.
How War Weary Are We?
The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have made the U.S. public war weary, which is constraining Obama’s efforts to mobilize support for a strike against the Assad regime. But, how accurate is this picture?
Syria and the Hegemon’s Dilemma: Ontological Insecurity vs. Imperial Overstretch
John Kerry may be right that war fatigue is no excuse for inaction in Syria, but imperial overstretch and hegemonic decline very well may be.
Obama, Syria and the Fading Unipolar Moment
As the world watches the Obama Administration fumble its way through a decision about Syria, it is striking just how far the US has fallen in its relative place as a unipolar hegemon.
Drone Warfare: Defending the Indefensible
The Obama administration’s increased reliance on armed drones combines short-term political expediency and long-term technological optimism. Unfortunately this blunts the capacity for wise leadership.
War in Syria: The Proxy Element
While there is a strong element of a proxy war behind the fighting in Syria, the forces and interests involved are best understood in terms of inter-state relations going back more than a decade.
