International Affairs

Syria faces more daunting challenges than Libya did in 2011, highlighted by deep social divisions, a devastated infrastructure, and a complex geopolitical landscape. The situation calls for cautious optimism as Syrians navigate a new political reality following the fall of the Assad regime, per commentary from Chatham House.

U.S. allies contribute more to global security than often perceived. Current NATO spending targets do not fully capture each country's capabilities and contributions, which differ widely, per commentary from RAND Corporation.

China is poised to strengthen its political and economic presence in the Middle East over the next four years. This engagement will be motivated primarily by a need to secure energy resources and enhance diplomatic relations, per commentary from Brookings.

Invading Mexico will not effectively resolve the cartel problem and may worsen existing issues, such as migration and international relations. Military incursions could undermine bilateral cooperation and fail to yield strategic success, posing significant risks to U.S. interests, per commentary from Cato Institute.

Trump's foreign policy aims to reassert America's strength on the global stage while demanding accountability from allies and adversaries alike. By prioritizing an America-first agenda, Trump seeks to reshape international relations in favor of U.S. interests, per commentary from Heritage Foundation.  

• Ryan C. Berg and Christopher Hernandez-Roy at Center for Strategic and International Studies analyze that Venezuela's recent elections showcased a blatant electoral theft by President Maduro, who manipulated election conditions, barred opposition candidates, and used repression to secure a disputed victory over Edmundo González.

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• The article asserts that the Maduro regime’s fraudulent actions, including blocking international observations and harassing opposition supporters, risk severe international isolation and a possible constitutional crisis if vote tabulations are not transparently released, undermining any claims to democratic legitimacy.