The Higher-Order Effects of Negotiating with Hamas
OPINION — In 2011, after five and a half years in captivity and complex negotiations involving an Israeli activist, Israeli government officials, and outside foreign […] More
Diplomacy
Haiti’s Crucial Missing Piece
OPINION — For much of the first two years of the Biden administration, U.S. interest in the Western Hemisphere understandably took a back seat to […] More
The Talk Between Russia and the U.S.
OPINION — Military exercises and psychological warfare operations have been underway for months along the tense Russia-Ukraine and Poland-Belarus borders and care needs to be […] More
Why A Conventional Military Buildup with China Deserves a Second Look
OPINION — Last week, the Biden administration spelled out its opening carrot-and-stick policy toward the Beijing regime during appearances before two different Congressional committees. Last […] More
The Latest
Biden Holds the Cards on Iran, But Will He Play Them?
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who held senior positions including Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador […] More
The Time for Tech Diplomacy is Now
The Listening Post focuses on women in the national security space. This new column offers a collection of experienced national security insights, interviews, and profiles […] More
Hezbollah and the Path to ending Lebanon’s Occupation
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who held senior positions including Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador […] More
Understanding Haftar and the Path Ahead in Libya
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that the situation in Libya is a “scandal” and expressed his frustration over countries pushing for […] More
What Made Sultan Qaboos the Best Friend Americans Never Knew
Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of Oman and the Middle East’s longest serving ruler, died on January 10 after nearly 50 years in power. […] More
Forever Enemies and Forever Wars
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who served as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador to the […] More
Is it Time for Diplomacy in Iran?
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who held senior positions including Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador […] More
Why the U.S. is Losing the War on Extremism
Extremist organizations are successfully preying on a rising generation of nearly one billion Muslim millennials in order to add to their ranks, according a new […] More
Paris and the Prospects & Perils of a Post-American Order
Bottom Line Up Front As the recent World War I centenary tribute in Paris foreshadowed, the world order may be shifting, with the contours […] More
Prepping the President for the Helsinki Summit
For decades, former secretary of state and White House chief of staff James Baker has touted his version of a salty military catchphrase as a good-government […] More
U.S.-North Korea Summit Cancelled, Now What?
President Donald Trump has informed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he will not be attending the summit between the two leaders set to […] More
Best Of: Fault on Both Sides: 25 Years of North Korea Negotiations
North Korea has threatened to pull out of planned talks between leaders Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, citing opposition to U.S. demands for […] More
Threat Report 2018: North Korea’s Nuclear Doctrine
Months of fruitful engagement between North Korea, South Korea and the United States may soon turn sour. Yesterday, Pyongyang warned that ongoing joint military exercises […] More
President Trump Announces Withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday afternoon that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, or JCPOA, and re-impose harsh sanctions on Iran—including […] More
North Korea: From Wishful Thinking to ‘Possible’
The Panmunjom Declaration gives us hope that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is possible. The Summit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in with North Korea’s […] More