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Articles by Sara Bakhtiar
Foreign policy and the 2024 presidential election: Is America ready to embrace military restraint? Original
With the presidential primary season ramping up, a central foreign policy question for the contenders has emerged: will you be a hawk on Russia, or on China? Republican candidates are split on the question. Many, like former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, remain adamant on continuing American support for Ukraine.
It's Time To Prioritize Diplomacy
The work of America’s diplomatic corps has always captivated me. Protecting American interests by traveling the world, living in foreign countries, and learning new languages is a fascinating way to serve one’s country. Growing up, military service never appealed to me, perhaps because I saw how it led to disastrous consequences in my parents’ birthplace: Afghanistan. After two decades of American military presence in Afghanistan, the country is even more unstable and dangerous than before.
Protecting the people means cutting Pentagon spending – Responsible Statecraft
Across the country people are rightfully protesting systematic racism and the failures of their police departments. The COVID-19 pandemic has killed over 177,000 people since January. Millions of people are newly unemployed, and millions face evictions. And the new $740 billion military budget passed by Congress didn’t prevent and doesn’t address any of these immediate threats. The ability to tackle these threats exists, just not in the military.
What the fight for women’s equality teaches us about the fight for peace – Responsible Statecraft
Today is Women’s Equality Day, which this year marks the 100th anniversary of the successful campaign by a group of sophisticated and dedicated women to write, lobby, and campaign their way into voting rights for women.
Iran, sanctions, and the COVID-19 pandemic – Responsible Statecraft
This week, Iran announced its highest single-day death toll from COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak in February. The uptick in cases and deaths is the result of a new wave of infections that began May 3rd, two weeks after the gradual easing of the country’s partial lockdown in mid-April.
How our endless wars have pushed the US military to court young gamers – Responsible Statecraft
After two years working under the radar, the U.S. Army’s latest Verhoevenian effort to recruit young people through online gaming, streaming, and a full embrace of digital culture has finally gotten in some hot water. Though they have paused their nearly-daily streams of popular games like “Warzone” over accusations of censorship, bait-and-switch giveaways that lead to recruiting forms, and other deceptive messaging, the U.S. Army Esports project has only just begun.
Regardless of who wins in November, the US is likely to stay in A
After nearly two decades trapped in an endless war in Afghanistan, a key part of Congress voted once more to extend the US military's stay in the country, as the House Armed Services Committee passed an amendment to make it more difficult for the Trump administration to withdraw troops. At the same time, the Senate rejected Senator Rand Paul's proposal to withdraw all troops from the country within a year.
To understand the China-Iran deal, forget the hype and look at the context – Responsible Statecraft
The news of a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement secretly signed between the Iranian government and China has been the hot topic of the last few weeks, generating a considerable amount of speculation, exaggeration, and politically biased interpretation. In reality, the accord does not seem to have the potential to revolutionize the path of China-Iran relations, which has been quite consistent since 1979.
Iran’s hard-liners grapple with the trap of securitizing the state – Responsible Statecraft
Iran’s hard-liners are on a relentless path to gain unrivaled political control. Their victory during the February 2020 parliamentary elections was a crucial step along this road. If, as is widely expected, they win the presidency in May 2021, their already strong partnership with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will put them in a good position to influence the crucial struggle to choose his successor. In short, it might be said that the hard-liners are currently enjoying a most advantageous position.
Negotiating Hong Kong: playing chicken with millions of lives – Responsible Statecraft
In 1984, a satisfied Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced her government’s agreement with Deng Xiaoping’s China over the eventual return of Hong Kong in 1997. A century before, Great Britain had used its military superiority to detach Chinese territory through grant and lease for the colony of Hong Kong. But the lease would soon expire, ending London’s legal claim to the territory.
The undeclared war against Iran – Responsible Statecraft
A series of violent attacks, involving explosions and fires, has been hitting Iran. The incidents have been too frequent and intense to be random accidents. They are part of an organized effort. Caution is always advisable in attributing responsibility for such unclaimed acts, especially for all of us outside the government channels that possibly have better information about what is going on.
Iran may exit the nuclear accord if the US succeeds in extending UN arms embargo – Responsible Statecraft
Iran may exit the nuclear accord if the US succeeds in extending UN arms embargo As the U.N. arms embargo on Iran nears its October 2020 expiration date, the United States has intensified its campaign to extend the ban — which was implemented as part of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran, the United States, the U.K., France, Germany, Russia, and China.
Madcap militarism: H.R. McMaster’s dishonest attack on restraint – Responsible Statecraft
Madcap militarism: H.R. McMaster’s dishonest attack on restraint H.R. McMaster looks to be one of those old soldiers with an aversion to following Douglas MacArthur’s advice to “just fade away.” The retired army three-star general who served an abbreviated term as national security adviser has a memoir due out in September. Perhaps in anticipation of its publication, he has now contributed a big think-piece to the new issue of Foreign Affairs. The essay is unlikely to help sell the book.
New survey of European public opinion signals trouble for transatlantic alliance – Responsible Statecraft
New survey of European public opinion signals trouble for transatlantic alliance Amid the ongoing global crisis caused by COVID-19, a new report from the European Council on Foreign Relations has troubling implications for the much-vaunted transatlantic alliance. The report, released June 29, shows that the present crisis has brought European trust in the United States to an all-time low.
How to Reverse the US’s Shockingly Low Global Peace Index Ranking
In recent weeks, peaceful demonstrators across America have been confronted by National Guard troops in the nation’s capital and by militarized police in cities, armed with tear gas and rubber bullets. Meanwhile, heavily armed militias have taken it upon themselves to counter-protest, calling to mind the rifle-toting protestors that stormed the Michigan Capitol in May to demand an end to the state’s stay-at-home order.
Creating the enemies they need: US militarism’s strange bedfellows – Responsible Statecraft
Listen to America’s imperial proconsuls long enough and they often let slip something approaching truth — perhaps exceptionalist confession is more accurate. Take Admiral Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), with responsibility for all of Latin America.
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