Commentary

America’s war in Afghanistan may have ended, but its consequences still remain. Ambassador Ryan Crocker unpacks what the US withdrawal told allies and adversaries about American power.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is not just a response to Iran but the divergence between states over theories of power.

Answers to the questions on what comes next, from the Iran war to the midterm elections.

"I think President Trump had overestimated how much he could achieve militarily. And I think Iran might now be overestimating what it can achieve diplomatically based on the cycle that we're in," Council Vice President of Research for Security and Defense Ariane Tabatabai tells NPR.

Trump can disrupt wars and force pauses but has yet to close one. The gap is creating space for middle powers—and an opening for China.

Rachel Bronson explains how the deal's uranium enrichment terms and apparent bypass of IAEA oversight break from past US nuclear agreements—and what precedent that sets.

But both Americans and Europeans are hopeful that relations will improve in the future.

America’s treatment of its allies is creating a gap that others will fill.

From Sing Sing prison to Mar-a-Lago, The Economist's John Prideaux traveled across the country to find out what America looks like at 250.

Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri speaks with Christiane Amanpour about what options are on the table as the US-Iran ceasefire crumbles.