National Security and International Policy

Select Committee Democrats: A Smart and Confident U.S.-China Policy

Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for a discussion on how Democratic policymakers are advancing a vision of democracy and stability in the Indo-Pacific that will help the American public.

New Global Progress Action Survey Reveals Support for Environment and Jobs Agenda

A new poll from Global Progress Action and YouGov reaches respondents in more than 10 countries, revealing international support for employment-generating investment in carbon-free and green technology industries.

CAP Action’s Mara Rudman on the War in Ukraine

Colin sits down with Mara Rudman, executive vice president of policy at CAP Action, to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war's international impact.

Max Bergmann on the Latest From Ukraine

This week, Daniella and Max Bergmann discuss the latest from Ukraine, the confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and recent insights from the House January 6 Select Committee.

What does the Preamble to the Constitution have to do with Build Back Better?

Lawrence J. Korb and Emmett Coyne write about U.S. leaders' promotion of the general welfare.

The Capitol insurrection was a superspreader event

This was no protest. It was a terrorist attack.

Reviving transatlantic relations after Trump

Max Bergman explains how a new administration could revive or transform the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Europe.

Absentee Voting, the Military, and Our Democracy

Lawrence Korb writes about the military's use of mail-in voting—and why it is important.

Esper’s Lame Attempt To Save Money Off The Backs Of Troops And Families

Lawrence Korb writes about Secretary of Defense Mark Esper's efforts to handle the defense budget.

How the U.S. Can Fight Corruption After Trump

Author Trevor Sutton argues that in order to fight international corruption, which threatens democracy and progressive values around the globe, the United States needs to address the shortcomings and lack of transparency in its own financial institutions.

Why Trump’s Troop Withdrawal from Germany Is Only the Beginning

Authors Max Bergmann and James Lamond explain why President Trump's harsh approach toward NATO could be dangerous.

President Trump’s Relationship With China Has Only Served His Own Interests at America’s Tragic Expense

President Trump’s China policy has been an abject failure, and recent revelations in a new book by his own former national security adviser, John Bolton, raise even more questions about Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Joe Biden’s LGBTQ+ Legacy, 10 Years After DADT Repeal

Winnie Stachelberg and Rudy Deleon recall the end of "don't ask, don't tell" 10 years ago, and the roll that former Vice President Joe Biden played in the policy's repeal.

Is Europe ready for America’s embrace?

Max Bergman discusses how Europe will cope with renewed American engagement should former Vice President Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election.

The United States Needs a Euro Policy

Authors Max Bergmann and Ben Judah explain why the United States needs a bold new approach to Europe.

The FBI Botched the Russia Investigation in 2016

The FBI’s timid investigation into foreign interference during the 2016 election cost them a chance to uncover a conspiracy against American democracy in real time.

Is Europe ready for a Democratic US president?

Author Max Bergmann expresses optimism about renewed and strengthened transatlantic cooperation between the United States and the European Union following the election in November.

Impeachment Trial Witnesses: Who the Senate Should Call and What They Know

One look at the list of potential witnesses shows why the president and his allies in Congress are trying to prevent a full impeachment trial in the Senate: The witnesses are capable of providing damning evidence against Trump.

Opinion: For Sen. Cory Gardner, “maximum pressure” on North Korea applies to everyone but Trump

Lawrence J. Korb writes about Sen. Cory Gardner's (R-CO) hypocritical approach to North Korea issues.

Trump’s DNI Pick Would Brief Dem Nominee Ahead of 2020

Katrina Mulligan explains why the Senate must consider the director of national intelligence's role in briefing the Democratic nominee for president as it evaluates President Trump's pick for the position.

Mueller reveals US and Europe have a Russia problem

Max Bergmann and James Lamond explain why the results of the Mueller investigation suggest that the United States and Europe should take Russian attacks on democracies seriously.

The Russians Are Coming in 2020. Dems Don’t Have to Be Victims This Time.

Max Bergmann and James Lamond explain why foreign interference in the 2020 election cycle is almost guaranteed—and what democrats can do to prevent a repeat of 2016.

Conspiracy Against the United States: The Story of Trump and Russia

The Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with the Russian government in the 2016 U.S. presidential election has become the defining scandal of the administration so far. This report lays out the overwhelming evidence of that collusion, exploring its underpinnings going back decades to create a cohesive explanation for how—and why—the Trump campaign and the Kremlin worked together to install Trump in the White House.

Here’s How Congress Can Check Trump

Brian Katulis discusses how newly elected House Democrats can hold the administration accountable and push for a better, more measured foreign policy agenda.

– – – Tearline – – – Sept. 14, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump seeks to undermine the Iran Deal, tensions rise with upcoming the Kurdish independence referendum, devastation in the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma, and a look at the Russian government's use of Facebook during the 2016 election.

– – – Tearline – – – Sept. 7, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Dealing with the impacts of hurricanes, the persecution of the Rohingya, a win for the rule of law in Kenya, and more threats from North Korea.

– – – Tearline – – – Aug. 24, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump's announcement on Afghanistan raises more questions than answers, U.S. foreign assistance faces cuts on World Humanitarian Day, and how to counter violent extremism.

– – – Tearline – – – Aug. 17, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump sympathizes with white supremacists after a terrorist attack in Charlottesville and effectively sews alarm at home as well as abroad in Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and China with increasingly inflammatory rhetoric.

– – – Tearline – – – Aug. 10, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump's threats to North Korea backfire and leave Guam in the crosshairs, an increase in migrant deaths, three elections in Africa that the Trump Administration should be watching, and Mueller impanels a grand jury in Washington, D.C.

– – – Tearline – – – Aug. 3, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump shouts at China over North Korea's latest ICBM launch, the yet-to-be-seen U.S. response to the South China Sea Dispute, and the possible depths of collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia.

Russiagate: The Depth of Collusion

It is now clear there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government during the 2016 elections. But to what end? This report lays out what we know about collusion and explores the depths to which it may have gone.

– – – Tearline – – – Jul. 27, 2017

In this week's Tearline: Trump tweet declares via Twitter the intention to bar trangender individuals from military service without telling anyone in the Defense Department, Poland's President surprises the world with a veto, and the Pentagon ignores efforts to cut wasteful spending in the defense budget.

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Indifference to Corruption

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are rolling back U.S. efforts to promote transparent and accountable government across the world—putting private interests ahead of human rights and U.S. national security.

Moving Beyond “Us vs. Them” Politics

If progressives want to defeat right-wing nationalist parties and leaders globally, they must embrace, rather than ignore, the desire for change among voters.

NATO Can’t Afford to Lose Its Members

Lawrence J. Korb and Mike Wackenreuter write about how supporters of NATO can defend it.