Geopolitics
Peril and possibility: Collapsing old order, emerging disorder, or new order?
The Brookings Foreign Policy program is the leading center of high-quality, policy-relevant scholarship advancing actionable solutions to the major challenges to international peace and security. Brookings Foreign Policy scholars engage in in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis aimed at informing policymakers and the public debate and developing concrete ideas for addressing the world’s toughest problems.
Latest research and commentary
Energy Industry
The Iran conflict’s energy shocks are not yet fully realized
Iran
The Third Islamic Republic
International Affairs
What does China want from a Trump-Xi summit?
Our experts shape the public discourse
New York Times April 3, 2026
Suzanne Maloney appeared on “The Ezra Klein Show” to explain why Iran believes it has the upper hand in the war.
Wall Street Journal March 31, 2026
Energy markets are inherently global, and there is no possibility of insulating the U.S. from the economic damage that is already occurring and will become exponentially worse if the..."
msnbc.com March 17, 2026
Suzanne Maloney spoke on MS NOW about Iran’s strikes on the Strait of Hormuz and Joe Kent’s resignation from the National Counterterrorism Center.
PBS Newshour March 13, 2026
Suzanne Maloney joined “Compass Points” on PBS News to discuss the U.S. war in Iran and the future of the Iranian regime under the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
msnbc.com March 8, 2026
Suzanne Maloney joined “The Weekend: Primetime” on MSNow to discuss the Trump administration’s mixed messaging regarding the U.S. war with Iran.
CNN February 17, 2026
This is potentially a seismic shift in Chinese politics under Xi, and how he governs – this really demonstrates nobody in that system is safe, truly… [The purge has] reached a crescendo..."
Jonathan A. Czin
Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies, Fellow - Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center @jonczin
Worshipful Company of World Traders February 6, 2026
Fiona Hill delivered the 2026 Tacitus Lecture on “Peril and Possibility: Collapsing old order, emerging disorder or new order?” in London. Read the transcript.
Fiona Hill
Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe
BBC February 5, 2026
Constantino Xavier breaks down what the upcoming national election means for the future of Bangladesh on the BBC’s “The Inquiry.”
Constantino Xavier
Nonresident Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies @constantinox
Moment Magazine February 5, 2026
Suzanne Maloney joined Moment Magazine for a conversation on Israel, Gaza, Iran, and the changing landscape of the Middle East.
NPR February 3, 2026
Suzanne Maloney was featured on NPR’s “Morning Edition” to discuss U.S. negotiations with Iran and military buildup in the region.
Experts
Michael E. O’Hanlon
Director of Research
- Foreign Policy,
Director
- Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Co-Director
- Africa Security Initiative,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy
Mireya Solís
Director
- Center for Asia Policy Studies,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies,
Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies
Susan A. Thornton
Senior Fellow
- Paul Tsai China Center, Yale Law School,
Nonresident Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center
