Blogs

Politics, Power, and Preventive Action

Zenko covers the U.S. national security debate and offers insight on developments in international security and conflict prevention.

Latest Post

Signing Off

Today is my last day at the Council on Foreign Relations after eight and one-half fun and fulfilling years. An archive of everything I authored or co-authored remains here. Subsequently, this is the final post of this blog after more than 400 posts.

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Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Bitcoin for Bombs
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are gaining traction as a source of funding for terrorist groups, such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Counterterrorism policies should respond accordingly.
Foreign Aid
Why Cutting Foreign Aid Benefits Terrorists
President Trump's proposal to cut USAID funding will not help the United States fight terrorism. 
Middle East and North Africa
Geopolitical Information Blockades: A New Norm?
The information blockade on Qatar is an example of states increasingly using internet access policies as a tool against foreign adversaries—and being more brazen about it than they have in the past. 
  • Politics and Government
    Hedgehogs, Foxes, and Superstar Intellectuals: A Conversation with Daniel Drezner
    Podcast
    I was joined this week by Daniel Drezner, professor of international politics at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and regular contributor to the Washington Post. Professor Drezner is also the author of an excellent recent book, The Ideas Industry: How Pessimists, Partisans, and Plutocrats are Transforming the Marketplace of Ideas. We spoke about the difference between thought leaders and public intellectuals, and how the rise of the latter has affected the marketplace of ideas. Professor Drezner shares his thoughts on bridging the divide between the academy and policy worlds, and discusses how he approached writing about an industry while being an active participant in it. We also talk about the way analysis by private firms is contributing to the ideas industry, and Professor Drezner offers some advice for young people entering the field. Listen to our conversation, and be sure to follow Professor Drezner on Twitter @dandrezner.
  • Trade
    What Americans Really Think About Trade: A Conversation with Alexandra Guisinger
    Podcast
    Senior Fellow Micah Zenko speaks with Temple University Assistant Professor of Political Science Alexandra Guisinger about her new book, American Opinion on Trade: Preferences Without Politics, and how gender and race affect support for trade protection.