There is no “Team America” AI—yet. Data center construction and semiconductor sales make good headlines and generate solid profits for the tech companies that function as the market movers on Wall Street. The Trump Administration has an AI Action Plan for leveraging diplomatic and financial resources in partnership with American companies to promote the full| Center for the National Interest
The Commission on America’s National Interests was established by a bipartisan group of Americans who are convinced that, in the absence of American global leadership, citizens will find their fortunes, their values, and indeed their lives threatened as surely as they have ever been. The Commission is concerned that after five decades of extraordinary exertion,| Center for the National Interest
America’s National Interests: A Report From The Commission on America’s National Interests, 1996| cftni.org
Iran After the 12-Day War (w/ Farid Mirbagheri)| cftni.org
CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). August 2025 Highlights Power of Siberia 2 pipeline agreement signed at Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a memorandum of understanding for the| Center for the National Interest
In this report, we take a fresh look at the problem of what Gaza will look like after the war. A lot of people have written about the topic, mostly with unrealistic expectations or false assumptions, and the subject has become a moving target with the parties themselves changing the goalposts. This paper aims to| Center for the National Interest
In this report, we question the assumptions of the America First foreign policy agenda by looking at the case study of Türkiye. This is a country that is at a crossroads, with incredible changes taking place, both in terms of the domestic political scene and the regional environment. Türkiye is now a pivotal player in| Center for the National Interest
Iran is militarily weakened and politically divided. It is unlikely to restore the pre–12 Day War status quo with Israel, particularly as its regional proxies struggle to recover. Many Iranians have lost confidence in their government and would welcome fundamental change. Yet even under a new regime, challenges for the West would remain. Any government in Tehran would likely pursue a nuclear energy program, and the Iranian public would remain wary of re-establishing ties with the United Sta...| cftni.org
The Center for the National Interest is pleased to share a new report, “How America Can Achieve Nuclear Energy Dominance: Recommendations to Implement President Trump’s Policy Agenda,” released in partnership with Energy Innovation Reform Project. This forward-looking document outlines how the United States can revitalize its nuclear energy sector to meet rising domestic demand, compete| Center for the National Interest
New Report: How America Can Achieve Nuclear Energy Dominance| cftni.org
CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). July 2025 Highlights Russian Foreign Minister visits Pyongyang as North Korea readies more troops Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a three-day visit to North Korea beginning on July 12, before traveling| Center for the National Interest
Afghanistan and Central Asia Since the Taliban Takeover| cftni.org
CRANK Call | June 2025| cftni.org
Trump’s Middle East Pivot? (w/ Greg Priddy)| cftni.org
The Drone War Over Ukraine (w/ Samuel Bendett)| cftni.org
Chinese journalism is expanding its footprint across the Middle East in ways that sharply diverge from Western outlets like CNN. Rather than sending foreign correspondents, China’s CGTN deploys local reporters to tell regional stories, building trust and sidestepping the backlash often directed at U.S. and European media. As CGTN positions itself as a friendlier, non-interventionist alternative to the West, the implications for regional politics, public opinion, and global soft power are pr...| cftni.org
Korea’s Energy Crossroads (w/ Chinho Park)| cftni.org
Russia’s Changing Profile and Influence in Central Asia| cftni.org
Perspectives on Central Asian Hydrocarbons, Pipelines, and Transit Corridors| cftni.org
Greg Priddy| cftni.org
Paul J. Saunders| cftni.org
Central Asian Perspectives on the Russo-Ukraine War| cftni.org
CRANK Call | February 2025| cftni.org
CRANK Call | December 2024| cftni.org
Andrew C. Kuchins| cftni.org
CRANK Call | January 2025| cftni.org
Central Asia Connectivity Project| cftni.org
Nuclear Power in Central Asia: The New “New Thing”?| cftni.org
Report Launch | Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia| cftni.org
Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia| cftni.org