Aaron David Miller, The Hill
Like most of Trump's foreign policy, his approach to Iran was driven by the intersection of domestic politics and his own vanity and ego.
Michael Klare, TomDispatch
Simon Waldman, CapX
It took the protection of HMS Montrose a Royal Navy frigate to prevent Iranian forces from intercepting a British oil tanker along the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which exports the majority the Middle Eastern oil. Although Iran denied breaking international law
George Schultz & Pedro Aspe, Wall Street Journal
To stanch the flow of illegal aliens, pour U.S. foreign aid into improving their home countries.
Didi Kirsten Tatlow, The Atlantic
Beijing uses student and professional associations to try to influence not just Chinese citizens abroad, but outsiders, too.
Kamran Bokhari, Nat'l Interest
Another major war in the region will only further work to the advantage of the Islamic Republic and the Islamic State at the expense of the already very weak constellation of Arab states.
J. Caverley, E. Kapstein & S. Vucetic, FP
The United States uses the fighter jet program to further its own influence while leaving allies dependent.
Henry Foy, Financial Times
The most dangerous building in the world is lit with halogen floodlights beneath a shimmering silver dome. Dappled in shades of faded grey, propped up at one end by yellow scaffolding, it looms like an industrial crime scene.
Ai Weiwei, New York Times
A loss to Chinese authoritarianism would set a frightening precedent for the world.
Hal Brands, Bloom. View
"Horizontal escalation" is a new strategy to shift a war to the enemy's weak spots. Unfortunately, it won't work on its own.
