Peace and War Center
Stories: Voices on Peace and War
The Duality of the U.S. Congress on Israel-Palestine
By Jeremy Pressman
The piece explores how the U.S. Congress exhibits a clear duality on the Israel–Palestine issue: while it consistently provides strong military and political support to Israel, it also expresses concern over humanitarian conditions for Palestinians. Lawmakers largely reaffirm Israel’s security needs, yet some voices within Congress maintain pressure for accountability regarding civilian suffering and human rights in Gaza. This dual stance reflects the challenge of balancing strategic alliances with ethical considerations, ultimately shaping U.S. policy toward a narrowly focused approach.
Read More 6 min read
A Case for Controlled Nuclear Proliferation
By Lasha Tchantouridze
This piece presents a provocative perspective on nuclear weapons proliferation. Tchantouridze argues that the traditional approach of non-proliferation, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, may no longer be effective or realistic in the current global landscape. He suggests that a controlled proliferation strategy, where more nations possess nuclear capabilities under regulated conditions, could potentially enhance global stability by deterring aggressive actions and promoting a balance of power. This approach challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to reconsider the dynamics of nuclear diplomacy and security in the modern era.
Read More 8 min read
Iran’s Missile Barrage: Israel’s Next Move
By Saeid Golkar
This article discusses the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran following a series of Iranian missile attacks on Israeli territory. Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities. This barrage was reportedly in retaliation for Israel's recent strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, an Iran-backed militant group. The article examines the potential implications of this escalation, considering Israel's possible military responses and the broader regional security dynamics. The situation underscores the fragile security environment in the Middle East and the risks of further escalation into a wider regional conflict.
Read More 8 min read
Putin, the West, and the Inability to Understand What Russia Really Wants
By David Dusseault
This article delves into the complexities of the current international system and the challenges in interpreting Russia's actions. Dusseault argues that Western nations often misinterpret Russia's motivations by focusing on superficial justifications for its invasion of Ukraine, rather than understanding President Vladimir Putin's deeper concerns about perceived Western threats. He suggests that Putin views Ukraine not merely as a territorial dispute but as a symbol of a broader ideological and geopolitical struggle. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing the intricate and interconnected nature of global politics to better comprehend and address the underlying causes of international conflicts.
Read More 8 min read
Sins of the Father
By David Dusseault
This article examines the complexities of policy decision-making in international relations. Dusseault reflects on his personal experiences in the Soviet Union and Russia during the late 1980s and early 1990s, observing the end of the Cold War and the subsequent socio-economic challenges. He discusses the gap between policy intentions and outcomes, highlighting instances where decisions, despite being well-intentioned, led to unintended consequences. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the long-term effects of policy decisions and the need for careful consideration in international relations.
Read More 9 min read
The U.S. Needs to Fully Realize the Strategic Significance of a New Russia-North Korea Pact
By Dr. Vitaly Kozyrev
This article discusses the implications of the evolving alliance between Russia and North Korea. The piece highlights that this pact is not merely a bilateral agreement but part of a broader strategic alignment involving Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang, united by a common interest in countering U.S. influence and reshaping the security architecture in Eurasia. The article argues that the United States must recognize the full extent of this alliance's strategic significance, as it could alter the balance of power in the region and challenge existing international norms. It emphasizes the need for the U.S. to adapt its foreign policy to address this emerging geopolitical reality effectively.
Read More 14 min read
The Al Hol, Roj Camps and Syrian Detention Complex: Cruel and Dangerous Foreign Policy
By Dr. Deborah Harrold
The article highlights the dire conditions and profound human rights abuses in the al‑Hol and Roj camps in northeastern Syria, where tens of thousands — primarily women and children linked to ISIS — are held in unsanitary, overcrowded, and arbitrary detention, facing malnutrition, disease, gender‑based violence, trauma, and separation from their families. It warns that these camps serve as breeding grounds for radicalization, with ISIS sleeper cells actively recruiting youth amid chronic neglect. The piece strongly advocates for urgent repatriation and accountability, condemning prolonged detainment without due process and emphasizing the responsibility of home countries to bring back and rehabilitate detainees, especially vulnerable children, to prevent further destabilization.
Read More 7 min read
The student protesters on Gaza are not only right, they’re winning
By Dr. Richard Jackson
This article discusses the significant and growing global movement led by students advocating for Palestinian rights and urging universities to divest from companies supporting Israeli military actions in Gaza. Beginning in April 2024 at Columbia University, this movement has expanded to over 140 universities worldwide, including institutions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe. Students are demanding universities sever financial and academic ties with entities involved in the conflict, and their efforts have led to notable successes, such as divestment votes and policy changes at various institutions. Jackson highlights that, despite facing challenges and opposition, these student-led protests are achieving tangible outcomes, reflecting a shift in public discourse and institutional accountability regarding the Gaza conflict.
Read More 7 min read
Just War Theory and the End of the Afghanistan War
By Dr. Daniel A. Morris
This article argues that former President Trump’s characterization of the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as “the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country” overlooks the core principles of just war theory — namely jus ad bellum’s requirements of proper authority and reasonable hope for success — and that, by those measures, President Biden made a morally sound decision to end a two-decade conflict whose aims (beyond bringing Osama bin Laden to justice in 2011) had become unattainable, as evidenced by the Afghan National Army’s inability to sustain security, the enormous human toll (6,247 U.S. service members and over 46,000 Afghan civilian deaths), and the $2.31 trillion spent, such that continued belligerence would have been unjustifiable. Furthermore, Morris contends that while tactical execution of the exit might have been imperfect, jus in bello considerations regarding combatant conduct do not undermine the justice of ending the war itself, and instead underscore why ceasing hostilities was the prudent and ethical course — one for which President Biden should be commended rather than blamed.
Read More 7 min read