Iran's Nuclear Threshold, India’s Middle East Policy and Escalation Management in the Indo-Pacific

This week, War on the Rocks authors assessed U.S. policy toward China and examined how policymakers can confront the challenges of Iran's nuclear status. Plus, a look at India's renewed engagement in the Middle East and the role of clans in post-conflict Gaza.

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Articles

Any policy, including one that paves the way to the Palestinian Authority’s return, should take into account the clans’ prominent role in any political constellation in Gaza.

In response to Georgia’s passing of a “foreign agent” law and Russia’s reinvigorated offensive in Ukraine, Batu Kutelia, Shota Gvineria, and David H. Ucko reflect on their 2017 article “America’s Vital Interest in Georgia: The Case for Engagement.”

To navigate twin problems — dealing with Iran and preventing the nuclear threshold from becoming a desirable status for others — policymakers ultimately will need to reconfigure nuclear energy and nonproliferation policy.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reassigned Sergei Shoigu from defense minister to secretary of the national security council. Amidst a renewed Russian offensive in Ukraine, we asked five experts to explain the significance of this reshuffling.

Much as India’s “Look/Act East” policy reflected a shift in India’s worldview following the end of the Cold War, New Delhi’s reinvigorated engagement with the Middle East today reflects a deeper, ongoing shift in the country’s external engagement.?

There is one clear solution to address the military’s current approach to generating forces for cyberspace operations: creating a new branch of the armed forces for cyberspace.

To deter, defend, and win any engagement, NATO’s littoral allies should focus on cultivating expertise related to the distinctive features of the Baltic Sea, even while U.S. seapower remains the ultimate backbone of NATO in the region.?

The United States and its allies have the tools to prevent China from wresting control of Second Thomas Shoal — and the South China Sea — before bullets fly, but it will demand a sea change.

In his introduction to Volume 7, Issue 2 of the Texas National Security Review, Frank Gavin considers why the United States seems stuck in the Middle East and suggests that Washington refocus on core grand-strategic interests.?

Your bi-weekly update about America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists.?

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Podcasts

This week, International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, among others, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Patryk Labuda joined the WarCast to discuss the warrants.

Nick sat down with Rebecca Lucas and Stuart Dee to discuss their article, "Crowning Achievement? Kaan and the Turkish Defense Industry," which was published on May 13.

Zack Cooper, Christopher Preble, and Melanie Marlowe debate the Biden administration’s approach to China and whether the United States needs a final objective.?

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was kind enough to spend some time with Ryan talking about the reorganization of the Department of the Air Force and modernization.?

Nick spoke with Rebecca Pincus about her article, “Small Ocean, Big Hype: Arctic Myths and Realities,” which was published on May 3.

On Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Afshon Ostovar joined the WarCast to tell us more.

On Sunday, the leader of a failed coup attempt was killed in a shootout in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Michelle Gavin joined the WarCast to discuss the shooting and what could come next.

Last week, the Biden administration announced increased tariffs on a range of Chinese goods, including electric vehicle batteries, computer chips, and medical supplies. Chris Miller joined the WarCast to discuss the tariffs.

Earlier this month, representatives from Pakistan and the United States met to discuss counterterrorism efforts, especially against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State Khorasan Province. Tamanna Salikuddin joined the WarCast to discuss the meeting.