The world once seemed generally divided into “us” and “them.” Allies and Axis. America/NATO and Russia/Warsaw Pact. Israelis and Arabs; Israelis and Saudis on the same side of the equation was unthinkable. The world wasn’t necessarily safer then, but it was simpler. In the post-Cold War, post-9/11, post-Arab Spring world, lines are blurred, relationships are more complicated, and threats come from old and new sources in old and new configurations.
There are too many hot spots in too many geographic locations to define this issue of inFOCUS regionally. The Winter 2018 issue will go around the world, highlighting some spots that are in the news daily, but others that are not – but bear watching.
China, Hezbollah, and Iran – addressed by Harry Halem, Yaakov Lappin, and James Lyons respectively – are “the usual suspect” addresses for international upheaval. Emmanuele Ottolenghi and John Hannah, Steven Metz, and Simon Henderson take us on roads less traveled as they focus on Venezuela, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Fred Fleitz addresses Korean reunification from the point of view of North Korea – something rarely tried in the United States Indian assistance in Afghanistan was a small part of President Trump’s speech on America’s role in that country, but Shanthie Mariet D’Souza doesn’t discount the possibility. Jiri Valenta and Leni Friedman Valenta consider what will be left of Syria after the war. It is left to Michael Waller to make sense of American strategy in a disintegrating world.
Shoshana Bryen reviews The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia by Ian Easton, in case you’d forgotten the threat China poses to our democratic friend Taiwan. China hasn’t.
And don’t miss our interview with Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO).
If you appreciate what you’ve read, I encourage you to make a contribution to the Jewish Policy Center. As always, you can use our secure site:
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Sincerely,
Matthew Brooks,
Executive Director
