Peace and War Center
Stories: Voices on Peace and War
Pay Attention to Israel/Palestine, but Don’t Forget About the Rest of the Region
By Peter S. Henne
While Israel-Palestine demands global attention — due to its historic and contemporary impact on regional security, military posturing, and governance — the article argues that observers should avoid reducing all Middle Eastern politics to this single conflict. Highlighting events like Morocco’s devastating 2023 earthquake, the Arab Uprisings, and the fight against ISIS, Henne emphasizes that other crises and shifts unfold independently of the Israel-Palestine dynamic. He cautions that too narrow a focus, or what he terms a “reductio ad Israel,” risks neglecting key humanitarian and strategic developments across the region. Ultimately, while Israel-Palestine remains a central issue, analysts must maintain a broad lens to fully comprehend the evolving Middle Eastern landscape.
Read More 8 min read
The New Cold War and North Korea
By Jihwan Hwang
The author argues that North Korea’s recent behavior — marked by ballistic missile tests and the launch of a military satellite in November 2023 (reportedly aided by Russia) — reflects Pyongyang’s embrace of a “new Cold War” framework, pitting the U.S., Japan and South Korea against China, Russia and North Korea. Kim Jong Un views this emerging bipolar or multipolar global order as advantageous, enabling North Korea to shed its isolation by aligning strategically with Moscow and Beijing. However, both China and Russia continue to exploit North Korea for geopolitical leverage rather than as fully dependable allies. Within this revived Cold War context, Pyongyang’s aggressive military posture — including a nuclear doctrine that explicitly allows first use under certain conditions — poses a heightened security threat on the peninsula.
Read More 7 min read
Russia Hedging Its Bets in the Red Sea (Part Two)
By Richard Moss
The article examines Moscow’s strategic balancing act amid rising tensions in the Red Sea, where Russia strives to advance its influence without overt engagement. By maintaining relationships across conflicting parties — including Iran, the Houthis, and Western nations — Russia avoids taking sides, thereby preserving leverage. It emphasizes that while the U.S. and NATO focus on protecting shipping lanes from Houthi attacks, Russia quietly bolsters its regional naval posture, asserting itself as a cautious yet opportunistic actor. Ultimately, the piece argues this hedging strategy enables Russia to reinforce its geopolitical presence in the Red Sea while minimizing direct confrontation risk.
Read More 6 min read
Russia Hedging Its Bets in the Red Sea (Part One)
By Richard Moss
The piece explores Russia’s strategic push to establish naval support centers in the Red Sea through agreements with nations like Sudan—and potentially Eritrea—to secure basing rights. Moscow’s efforts build on its 2022 Maritime Doctrine and longstanding Syrian naval presence, aiming to reinforce naval operations along vital trade routes through the Suez Canal. Despite legal deals, instability in Sudan—marked by coups and factional violence—has delayed full implementation. Meanwhile, Moscow appears to be courting Eritrea as an alternative, harking back to Soviet-era bases on the Dahlak Islands. Russia’s ambitions are rooted in protecting energy exports and maritime trade—roughly 8–10% of Russia’s foreign trade flows through the Suez and Red Sea—while solidifying its influence in the region.
Read More 10 min read
Global Responses to the Israel-Gaza Conflict and the ICJ Ruling
By Valentine M. Moghadam, Isabel Geisler, Makayla Pulliam
This article reviews the International Court of Justice’s January 11–12, 2024 hearings on South Africa's “probable genocide” allegations against Israel and outlines the court's provisional measures, which the judges largely supported. While legal experts and the ICJ emphasized urgent protections for Gazan civilians and adherence to international law, major Western governments—particularly the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France—dismissed the ruling, continuing to back Israel’s military actions and weapons transfers . Pope Francis urged negotiation and peace, though President Biden did not shift policy. The article also notes wider global reactions: South Africa welcomed the ICJ order, while organizations like the EU and UN human rights experts called for full compliance—some advocating arms embargoes on Israel. In summary, the piece underscores a deep international divide: legal calls for humanitarian protection versus continued political and military support for Israel.
Read More 9 min read
U.S. Northern Military Competition: Closing Arctic Operational Capabilities Gaps
By Troy J. Bouffard
This piece highlights the U.S. military’s need to strengthen land-based Arctic preparedness, noting that while the Air Force and Navy have maintained legacy capabilities, newer challenges require dedicated ground force strategies. The activation of the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic) in June 2022 marks a major step, but the Department of Defense still lacks a fully defined Arctic mission, doctrine, and operational guidance to align with the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region.
Read More 9 min read
The Trauma of the Memory
By Nadina Ronc
Drawing on the author’s own childhood experience in war-torn Bosnia, this reflective piece explores how traumatic memories—like recalling fireworks as gunfire—linger long after the conflict ends. It underscores how early exposure to violence, hatred, and ethnic division in Bosnia (1992–1996), including the longest modern siege in Sarajevo, can imprint deep psychological scars.
Read More 8 min read
From Continental Shelves to Cruise Missiles: Strategic Rivalries in the Arctic
By Lasha Tchantouridze
This article examines how melting Arctic ice has spurred geopolitical competition over seabed claims and trade routes. Notably, Russia has capitalized on thawing conditions—and weakening Western deterrence—to escalate military presence, including the deployment of nuclear-capable Tu-95 “Bear” bombers armed with long-range cruise missiles near Alaska.
Read More 8 min read
Putin’s Optimism Doesn’t Mean the End is Near in Ukraine
By Thomas Graham
This analysis cautions that despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent positive rhetoric, the war in Ukraine is far from concluded. Initial hopes for a decisive breakthrough in 2023 have been stalled, and Graham argues that neither side can claim victory soon—suggesting a continued stalemate rather than an immediate end to the conflict.
Read More 7 min read