Defense & Security
The real Thucydides trap
The Brookings Foreign Policy program is the leading center of high-quality, policy-relevant scholarship advancing actionable solutions to the major challenges to international peace and security. Brookings Foreign Policy scholars engage in in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis aimed at informing policymakers and the public debate and developing concrete ideas for addressing the world’s toughest problems.
Latest research and commentary
China
What to know about China’s economic ambitions and its Five-Year Plan
Crime, Justice & Safety
How technology is transforming crime and terrorism
Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI as a weapon of war in Iran
Our experts shape the public discourse
New York Times April 3, 2026
Suzanne Maloney appeared on “The Ezra Klein Show” to explain why Iran believes it has the upper hand in the war.
Financial Times April 2, 2026
Philip Gordon joined the “Rachman Review” podcast to analyze the consequences of the war in Iran for the U.S. and its allies.
Philip H. Gordon
Sydney Stein, Jr. Scholar - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @PhilGordonDC
Grand Tamasha March 31, 2026
Tanvi Madan joined Carnegie’s Grand Tamasha to discuss the trajectory of Indian foreign and trade policy under the second Trump era.
Wall Street Journal March 31, 2026
Energy markets are inherently global, and there is no possibility of insulating the U.S. from the economic damage that is already occurring and will become exponentially worse if the..."
The Bulwark March 25, 2026
Philip Gordon appeared on Tim Miller’s “The Bulwark” podcast to discuss the state of the war in Iran and President Trump’s cycles of threats and retreats.
Philip H. Gordon
Sydney Stein, Jr. Scholar - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @PhilGordonDC
What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper March 19, 2026
Mireya Solís joins Mira Rapp-Hooper on the Asia Group’s “What Comes Next” podcast to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s summit with President Trump and what Japan wants...
Mireya Solís
Director - Center for Asia Policy Studies, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies
Eye on Korea March 18, 2026
Mireya Solís joins Eye on Korea to break down the upcoming U.S.-Japan summit and its ripple effects across the Indo-Pacific.
Mireya Solís
Director - Center for Asia Policy Studies, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies
msnbc.com March 17, 2026
Suzanne Maloney spoke on MS NOW about Iran’s strikes on the Strait of Hormuz and Joe Kent’s resignation from the National Counterterrorism Center.
PBS Newshour March 13, 2026
Suzanne Maloney joined “Compass Points” on PBS News to discuss the U.S. war in Iran and the future of the Iranian regime under the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
The Contrarian March 11, 2026
Philip Gordon appeared on “The Contrarian” podcast to explain why military-imposed regime change doesn’t work and why Iran may not give up the fight.
Philip H. Gordon
Sydney Stein, Jr. Scholar - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @PhilGordonDCExperts
Michael E. O’Hanlon
Director of Research
- Foreign Policy,
Director
- Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Co-Director
- Africa Security Initiative,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy
Mireya Solís
Director
- Center for Asia Policy Studies,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies,
Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies
Lori Robinson
Nonresident Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology
Kelebogile Zvobgo
Nonresident Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology
Upcoming Event
April
27
2026
North Korea
Power, religion, and ideology in North Korea
