Argument

An expert's point of view on a current event.

List of Argument articles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) speaks during a meeting with Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, in Kyiv on Dec. 9.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) speaks during a meeting with Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, in Kyiv on Dec. 9.

What a Victorious Ukraine Can Offer Europe

With trans-Atlantic cooperation under scrutiny, a battle-tested land power will be ready to step into the breach.

Argument
Michael Hikari Cecire
A rehearsal of the musical "The Sound of Music" on Dec. 3, 2009 in the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.
A rehearsal of the musical "The Sound of Music" on Dec. 3, 2009 in the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.

Austria Should Be America’s European Model

Political lessons from one of the West’s most underrated countries.

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
A Russian ruble coin is pictured in front of St. Basil's cathedral in central Moscow, on April 28, 2022.
A Russian ruble coin is pictured in front of St. Basil's cathedral in central Moscow, on April 28, 2022.

Seize Russia’s Assets Before Trump Takes Office

Biden still has the authority to fund Ukraine using Russia’s money.

Argument
Maximilian Hess, Carey K. Mott
An illustration shows spy eyes looking out of rows of red supply chain shipping containers.
An illustration shows spy eyes looking out of rows of red supply chain shipping containers.

The Era of Supply Chain Spy Wars Is Here

How the United States can prepare for the new world of state-led sabotage.

Argument
Calder Walton, Kevin Quinlan
Cars and other debris are seen piled up in the street. A man walks a dog in the mud nearby.
Cars and other debris are seen piled up in the street. A man walks a dog in the mud nearby.

Europe Isn’t Helpless in the Face of Severe Floods

Spain’s leaders turned the disaster into fodder for a political blame game.

Argument
Mark Nayler
At the behest of U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (center) sings Don McLean's "American Pie" during a state dinner at the White House in Washington on April 26, 2023.
At the behest of U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (center) sings Don McLean's "American Pie" during a state dinner at the White House in Washington on April 26, 2023.

How South Korea’s Aspiring Autocrat Became a D.C. Darling

Wonks loved Yoon Seok-yeol’s foreign policy—and ignored his problems at home.

Argument
Karl Friedhoff
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a ceremony marking the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating a decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence, in Ankara, on August 30, 2018.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a ceremony marking the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating a decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence, in Ankara, on August 30, 2018.

Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ Moment

Syria's change of leadership has given Turkey’s president the regional influence he has always wanted.

Argument
Steven A. Cook, Sinan Ciddi
Mourners surround the flag-draped coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed in the recent war with Israel, during a funeral procession in the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Selm on Dec. 6.
Mourners surround the flag-draped coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed in the recent war with Israel, during a funeral procession in the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Selm on Dec. 6.

Hezbollah Is Trying to Spin Loss as Victory

Assad’s fall and Israel’s offensive give Lebanese a chance to reclaim their country.

Argument
Oz Katerji
Russia's senior military officer Sergei Rudskoi sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the Russian Defence Ministry headquarters in Moscow on April 14, 2018, following overnight joint strikes by the US, Britain and France in Syria.
Russia's senior military officer Sergei Rudskoi sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the Russian Defence Ministry headquarters in Moscow on April 14, 2018, following overnight joint strikes by the US, Britain and France in Syria.

Syria Is Again a Victim of Its Geography

The country’s civil war is over—but there’s no stability to restore.

Argument
Arash Reisinezhad
A framed picture of Bashar al-Assad is seen with its glass shattered on the ground.
A framed picture of Bashar al-Assad is seen with its glass shattered on the ground.

How the World Got Syria Wrong

The international community misjudged the strength of the Assad regime—and its fixation on an external political process is being overtaken by internal events.

Argument
Charles Lister
A child and a man wear oxygen masks in a makeshift clinical setting.
A child and a man wear oxygen masks in a makeshift clinical setting.

Assad Must Face Justice for His Government’s Atrocities

With the Syrian leader now on the run, the prospect of bringing him to justice for his crimes is no longer theoretical.

Argument
Annie Sparrow, Kenneth Roth
South Korean soldiers stand outside the National Assembly in Seoul.
South Korean soldiers stand outside the National Assembly in Seoul.

Yoon’s Coup Attempt Shows Sad State of Civil-Military Relations

The legacy of South Korea’s military dictatorship is stronger than it seems.

Argument
Lami Kim
Biden and Lourenço stand next to each other, touching arms.
Biden and Lourenço stand next to each other, touching arms.

The Problem With U.S. Diplomacy in Africa

Biden’s recent trip to Angola highlighted long-standing issues in Washington’s approach to the continent.

Argument
Howard W. French
Protesters march against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol following his declaration of martial law in Seoul.
Protesters march against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol following his declaration of martial law in Seoul.

South Koreans Know What Dictatorship Looks Like

Public memory helped fuel the rapid fight to protect democracy.

Argument
S. Nathan Park
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump meet during the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump meet during the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

Trump Should Make Putin Wince Before They Sit Down to Talk

A maximum pressure campaign would raise the likelihood of a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Argument
Mark Montgomery, John Hardie
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