Vital Interests
This is the archive page for Vital Interests, which is no longer actively sending. Once each week, Thomas Joscelyn, who is sought out by the nation’s top foreign policy and national security policymakers, sent a deeply researched but highly readable analysis of American power on the world stage.
By signing up with your email, you agree to The Dispatch’s privacy policy
Bin Laden Is Long Gone, but He Sparked a Jihadist Revolution
An Islamic caliphate was his ultimate political goal and remains al-Qaeda’s chief objective to this day.
Why the Russia-China Alignment Is So Worrisome
A new report also looks at demographics and points to concerning trends in jihadist hotbeds.
The Russia Bounty Story Was Always Murky
The intelligence community is inundated with ‘low to moderate confidence’ information frequently. Why did this get so much attention?
The Flawed Reasoning Behind Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal
The president isn’t all wrong about leaving Afghanistan, but he misunderstands the history of the war and the terrorist threat emanating from the region.
The Biden Administration Shouldn’t Make Any More Concessions to the Taliban
The group wants an emirate, not a power-sharing arrangement with the Afghan government.
A Diplomat’s Trip to Taiwan Draws the Ire of the CCP
The Chinese foreign ministry has expressed outrage over an ambassador’s visit to discuss the pandemic.
Why We Should Be Worried About Russia and China Working So Closely
After the Alaska meeting between the U.S. and China, Russian officials quickly moved to boost China.
What’s Behind China’s Dangerous Incursion into the East China Sea
Japan has long controlled the Senkaku Islands, but the CCP is trying aggressively to stake a claim.
The Biden Administration’s Afghan ‘Peace Plan’ Is an Act of Desperation
It puts pressure on the Afghan government while whitewashing the Taliban, for starters.
The Problem With the Declassified Report on Khashoggi’s Death
It presents little new evidence and is unlikely to appease critics of Mohammed bin Salman.
Lloyd Austin’s Reality Check
The new defense secretary might prefer to focus on China, but the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq can’t be wished away.
Biden Faces a Decision on Our Presence in Iraq
Overcharged political rhetoric about 'endless wars' masks the reality of the situation.
Xi Jinping’s Rise Is No Historical Accident
How 'The Longer Telegram' misunderstands the Chinese Communist Party's quest for power.
Biden Must Reckon With the Failed Doha Deal
Leaving U.S. troops in Afghanistan past May 1 threatens their safety. Withdrawing all of them would further weaken the Afghan government.
As Xi Professes a Commitment to ‘Multilateralism,’ the U.S. Counters With a Dose of Reality
A recently declassified memo suggests we bolster democracies throughout China’s neighborhood as a counterweight to the CCP’s domineering model.
What to Make of Pompeo’s Parting Moves Regarding China
The State Department lifted restrictions on some interactions with Taiwan. How will the Biden administration proceed?