“Now Let US Pray,” Or: Converting Melania to Mother Mary of the Masses

There’s an image makeover in progress for the First Lady in the Trump Administration.

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The Make America Great Again (MAGA) Military

Trump plans to boost annual U.S. defense spending by more than Russia’s entire defense budget.

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Counting the Troops Under Trump

How do U.S. troop numbers stack up against ally and rival nations at the start of the Trump Administration?

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Iran’s Surprisingly Strong Geopolitical Hand

While the short-term outlook still looks uncertain for Iran, the larger fundamentals hugely favor it.

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Walking a Tightrope: China Maneuvers Between Saudi Arabia and Iran

The Saudi royals hope to turn China away from Iran during a state visit.

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Trump and Germany: On Trade Imbalances and Exchange Rates

Germany should point out to Trump that it is his own irresponsible macroeconomic policies that make the dollar strong and the euro weak.

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China Vs. the Koreas: Food’n’Nukes

Unpacking the THAAD-Lotte-North Korea-China controversy.

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Erdogan: Sultan of an Illusionary Ottoman Empire

Turkey has no chance to become as powerful and influential as the Ottoman Empire was during its heyday. And it’s all Erdogan’s fault.

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Trump and the Bomb: Stop Worrying?

The risk of Trump launching the nuclear arsenal is lower than many risks associated with his presidency.

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(Non-) Nuclear Trump: The Ahmadinejad of the West?

Just who is copying whom?

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