Beijing’s Blind Spots Hinder Real Reform; America’s Empire of Bases Makes It Easier to Blunder Into War; A Risky Quest for Strategic Autonomy in a War-Torn Middle East
Foreign Affairs Today

June 5, 2026 | View in Browser

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Sunset in front of the Forbidden City, Beijing, May 2026

How China Misperceives Itself

Beijing’s Blind Spots Hinder Real Reform

By Francesca Ghiretti

 

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A U.S. Air Force aircraft taking off from a base in the Middle East, March 2026

Iran and the Hidden Cost of Wartime Access

America’s Empire of Bases Makes It Easier to Blunder Into War

By Rachel Metz

 
A view of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 2026

Can the UAE Go It Alone?

A Risky Quest for Strategic Autonomy in a War-Torn Middle East

By Andrew Leber

 

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Learn About Applied Intelligence

It’s harnessing the power of technology and human intelligence to make informed decisions that create a competitive advantage. It’s where data meets decision-making. At Georgetown, our Master’s in Applied Intelligence focuses on 4 key sectors: homeland security, cyber intelligence, law enforcement, and competitive business intelligence. Attend our webinar on Jun. 11 at 12 p.m. ET. 

 

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A military vehicle in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, March 2026

Why Violence Persists in Nigeria

And How Governance Reform Can Break the Cycle

By Nnamdi Obasi

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