Lessons not learned and opportunities missed: A roadmap to political and societal dysfunction.
Iran Plays Chess, the US Backgammon
The moves on the Iraqi gameboard show that when it comes to warfare, military strategy and conflict management, Iran plays chess while the US plays backgammon.
2010s: A Decade of Defiance and Dissent

What lessons should protest movements learn from the last decade as we move into the 2020s?
The Killing of Qassem Soleimani: The US Misreads the Tea Leaves
The killing of Mr. Soleimani is bound to boost the hardliners in Tehran who are now expected to win next month’s Iranian parliamentary election.
Now Russia Accuses China of Technology Theft

China’s copycatting hunger knows no ideological boundaries: Reflections on the fragility of presumed anti-U.S. alliances.
Prague Vs. China, Inc.
Czech capital’s mayor stands up to China and positions himself both on principle and in Czech politics.
Pakistan: Islamists Join the Global Protest Fray
Pakistan, long viewed as an incubator of religious militancy, is gearing up for a battle over the future of the country’s notorious Madrassas.
Turkey and the Kurds: What Goes Around Comes Around
Erdogan neglected alternative options that could have strengthened Turkey’s position — without sparking the ire of much of the international community.
Putin (Clumsily) Seeks to Exploit Gulf Tensions
Putin still has much to learn to make the most of the opportunities that arise from the United States’ strategic shifts and tactical fumbles.