By Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. September/October 1997Published on September 1, 1997 Solidarity founding leader Lech Walesa during his presidential campaign in Plock, Poland, May 1989Leszek Wdowinski / Reuters Source Foreign Affairs 1997 THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY The twentieth century has no doubt been, as Isaiah Berlin has said, “the most terrible century in Western history.” But this terrible century has—or appears to be having—a happy ending. As in melodramas of old, the maiden democracy, bound by villains to the railroad track, is rescued in the nick of time from the onrushing train. As the century draws to a close, both major villains have perished, … Continue reading Has Democracy a Future?

 Eric RosenbachPublished: August 26, 2024 1.31pm BST President Joe Biden’s recent approval of a major shift in U.S. nuclear weapons strategyhighlights the attention the country’s national security officials are paying to Chinese ambitions for influence in the world. As changes emerge in the types of threats facing the U.S., the American military adjusts its strategic focus, budgets and planning. For instance, after 9/11, the U.S. military refocused away from its Cold War emphasis on preparing for combat against a powerful nation – the Soviet Union – and toward fighting small terrorist and insurgent groups instead. Over the past decade, the Pentagon’s efforts have … Continue reading How US military planning has shifted away from fighting terrorism to readying for tensions and conflict with China and Russia

Malians demonstrate in support of Russia on the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Mali, in Bamako, Mali, in September 2020. Russian mercenaries have played a key role in the fighting in several African countries, prompting attacks by Ukrainian-backed rebels. (AP Photo) Published: August 14, 2024 1.01pm EDT  James Horncastle, Simon Fraser University Mali recently severed relations with Ukraine as Ukrainian-backed Tuareg rebels killed at least 84 Russian soldiersin a well-executed ambush.  It’s unclear whether Ukrainian Special Operations Forces were directly involved in the assault, although pastinstances of Ukrainian forces operating in Africa make it likely. Ukraine’s rationale for backing the Tuareg rebels is … Continue reading Ukrainian special operations abroad are part of its broader war effort against Russia

A Drunken Evening, a Rented Yacht: The Real Story of the Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage Private businessmen funded the shoestring operation, which was overseen by a top general; President Zelensky approved the plan, then tried unsuccessfully to call it off Bojan PancevskiAug. 14, 2024 at 9:00 pm ET In May of 2022, a handful of senior Ukrainian military officers and businessmen had gathered to toast their country’s remarkable success in halting the Russian invasion. Buoyed by alcohol and patriotic fervor, somebody suggested a radical next step: destroying Nord Stream. After all, the twin natural-gas pipelines that carried Russian gas to … Continue reading A Drunken Evening, a Rented Yacht: The Real Story of the Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage