"The world—and our foreign policy—requires a broader vision than a fixation on terrorism and the troubled Middle East. American foreign policy will be central to the long-term global balance of power and the production of public goods—but can the next American President explain that to a public that has become entranced with the crisis du jour?"

Donald Trump’s lead in the race for the Republican Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate in November has caused consternation. The real danger is not that Trump will do what he says if he reaches the White House, but the damage caused by what he says as he tries to get there.

"Given the burden of refugee flows on European unity, Russia may try to link cooperation in the Syrian crisis to relief from the sanctions that Europe imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014."

"Global terrorism is not new. It often takes a generation for a wave of terrorism to burn out. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the anarchist movement killed a number of heads of state for utopian ideals. In the 1960s and 1970s, the ... Red Brigades and Red Army Faction hijacked planes across national borders and kidnapped and killed business and political leaders (as well as ordinary citizens)."

"Along with punishment and denial, entanglement is an important means of making an actor perceive that the costs of an action will exceed the benefits.  Entanglement refers to the existence of  interdependences which makes a successful attack simultaneously impose serious costs on the attacker as well as the victim. This is not unique to cyber. For example, in 2009, when the People's Liberation Army urged the Chinese government to dump some of China's massive holdings of dollar reserves to punish the United States for selling arms to Taiwan, the Central Bank pointed out that this would impose large costs on China as well and the government decided against it."

"While American leadership will continue to be important, success in solving the new transnational challenges will require the cooperation of others. In this sense, power becomes a positive-sum game. If the liberal world order is to continue, it will not be enough to think in terms of American power over others. One must also think in terms of combining strength to accomplish joint goals."

"For US diplomats, however, the danger is not a Europe that becomes too strong, but one that is too weak. When Europe and America remain allied, their resources are mutually reinforcing."

In Blindspot: America’s Response to Radicalism in the Middle East, authors share their insights and analysis on radical extremism in the Middle East, what it means for Americans, and how the United States should respond. The book is the product of the nonpartisan Aspen Strategy Group’s August 2015 meeting on America’s response to radicalism in the Middle East.  This book helps to decipher extremist ideology, place it in its larger global context, and suggest ways to defend American interests in the Middle East in the years ahead. The book offers a collection of policy proposals for the turbulent future ahead in the Middle East. A video of the book launch featuring Jim Cartwright, Jane Harman, and Richard Fontaine in conversation with Richard Fontaine can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc-8MXOR3ic.

"Prompt, high-quality attribution is often difficult and costly, but not impossible. Not only are governments improving their capabilities, but many private-sector companies are entering the game, and their participation reduces the costs to governments of having to disclose sensitive sources. Many situations are matters of degree, and as technology improves the forensics of attribution, the strength of deterrence may increase."

"...India has a window of opportunity for significant change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized job creation and economic growth without the baggage of welfare promises typically offered up in Indian politics. During his first 18 months in office, he has sought to revitalize Indian foreign policy, and signaled a desire for a stronger relationship with the United States."