Was the USA reckless or ruthless in its Afghanistan withdrawal?

Biden meant what he said when he confirmed the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, so China would be foolish to assume he doesn’t mean what he says in facing up to their challenge in the Pacific and beyond.

Arvanitakis on American politics: What’s happening on the border?

US President Joe Biden must walk a fine line on immigration policy. If it is seeing as being too harsh, there will be a revolt amongst its own ranks, but if it appears too lax, the Republicans are ready to pounce.

Arvanitakis on American politics: The debates on free speech

Freedom of speech is a foundation of modern democracy, but arguments over its boundaries and effects continue to rage, not least in the United States where concerns over Donald Trump’s false claims of electoral fraud and the influence of social media platforms continue to reverberate.

Winning the war for innovation

In its bid to stay competitive with China, Washington confronts the challenge of creating a global innovation order that is rules-based and safeguards the interests of both developed and developing countries.

Arvanitakis and McConnell on American politics: SCOTUS

A recent judgement involving an angry Pennsylvania cheerleader has brought the Supreme Court of the United States back into the headlines.

American law makers take a swing at “big tech”

Five antitrust laws proposed in the United States aim to aggressively rein in the market power of “big tech” companies and change the way they do business.

A promised land

Obama’s account of his movement from lower reaches of Democrat politics to the White House is compelling reading. It is well written, and best digested slowly, chapter by chapter, anecdote by anecdote.

Arvanitakis on American politics: The future of the Republican Party

Far from remaking itself after the debacle of Donald Trump, the Republican Party is still struggling to escape from his shadow, and many of its most important figures may not want to.

Arvanitakis on American politics: Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan – What is it all about?

Joe Biden has unveiled a $2 trillion ‘infrastructure plan’ to “Build Back Better”, but the scheme goes well beyond the usual aspects of transport and construction.

Arvanitakis on American politics: How Trump may have saved democracy

Former President Trump’s assault on evidence based policy, international organisations and democracy itself may actually serve to strengthen these institutions in the future.

Asia and the USA after Trump

Donald Trump’s disastrous Presidency damaged the USA’s relations with its Asian allies, and President Biden has many bridges to rebuilt to contain the rise of China.

Is this the end of the “American Century”?

Is the United States’ time in the sun as the world’s superpower coming to an end? While American exceptionalism reigns supreme, the Capitol Hill riots revealed a truth.