Recent News

Lincoln warned that sacrifice must serve a necessary cause, requiring discipline in foreign policy and restraint in the use of force.

Spending more on defense is not enough. True autonomy requires shifting operational control from Washington to Europe. NATO’s latest leadership shuffle could lay the groundwork for a meaningful rebalancing of responsibility across the alliance-but only if policymakers follow through.

On December 4, 2025, the Trump administration released its much-anticipated National Security Strategy. This Congressionally-mandated document is the authoritative statement of how an administration wants the policy community and foreign governments to understand its intentions. This most recent edition, however, represented a stark departure from previous strategies, drawing a polarized reception across media outlets, think tanks, and the foreign policy community. It is not difficult to see why. 

On October 29, the United States announced that it would reduce its military presence in Romania by roughly 800 troops. This modest adjustment drew backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, contending that it sends the wrong signal and appeases Russian President Vladimir Putin.