Responsible Statecraft

Online magazine of the @Quincyinst promoting diplomacy and military restraint. Send tips, pitches, and ideas to PitchRS@

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

If you're not reading RS what are you waiting for?
We're forging a new, independent way of thinking about foreign policy and national security.

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

The acute strategic vulnerability of Kaliningrad is one key reason why growing fears that Russia may “test NATO” by seizing the Estonian town of Narva, on the Russian border, are so absurd, writes @lieven_anatol

https://t.co/5U3hYY84ZD

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

It feels as though the walls are closing in on Hegseth, who has alienated a large number of former and current military officials. Distrust is rampant within the Pentagon, and Hegseth reportedly doubts the “loyalty” of many in leadership positions.

https://t.co/7mrqG8MaMF

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

For farmers already operating on thin margins, Trump's policies have made things far worse. The USDA’s September 2026 forecast placed total farm-sector debt at approximately $605.1 billion, an almost 5% increase over 2025 in nominal terms.

https://t.co/zoZdcXtwzw

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

It is difficult to clearly establish Trump’s intent regarding the MOU. But public evidence suggests he saw it as little more than a stalling mechanism to erode Iran’s position without a full-scale military assault, writes @RyeCostello

https://t.co/JQkJAsV6yi

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

U.S. regional dominance is no longer possible or necessary, but withdrawing to the Second Island Chain risks destabilizing the region and undermining Washington’s hand in any future conflicts in East Asia, write @jyjamespark and @Carr12Brandon

https://t.co/iFDe0qWlxb

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

Why won't Russia be so foolish as to attack NATO?

The answer revolves in part around the vulnerable Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, writes @lieven_anatol

https://t.co/5U3hYY8CPb

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

“One of the first things we’re going to do in the majority, we’re going to run Pete Hegseth out of town,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a campaign stop earlier this month.

More from @nolandenaro:

https://t.co/7mrqG8MaMF

[James Park @jyjamespark]

In @RStatecraft, @Carr12Brandon and I offer a counterpoint to @jekavanagh’s recent call for the US to adopt a Second Island Chain strategy for East Asia. We argue against this strategy for geopolitical and military reasons. The US should maintain its alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. (Thread): https://t.co/VvUqFwR8YW

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

NEW @lieven_anatol : Imagine Pearl Harbor in Hawaii surrounded by Chinese territory , that's Russian Kaliningrad and the tinder box that exists right now on the Baltic Sea. https://t.co/5U3hYY84ZD

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

It was less than a month before Trump declared the memorandum with Iran “over,” calling the Iranians "scum" and "sick people." Was it ever a serious attempt at ending the war, or something else?https://t.co/JQkJAsVEnQ

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

The USDA’s September 2026 forecast placed total farm-sector debt at approximately $605.1 billion, an almost 5% increase over 2025 in nominal terms.
https://t.co/zoZdcXsYJY

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

.@RyeCostello : "While it is possible that Trump and his team whipped Sen. Cassidy and his colleagues into line, it is more likely that they let them in on the secret: the (MOU) wasn’t intended to last long."
https://t.co/JQkJAsV6yi

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

NEW @jyjamespark & Brandon Carrr @QuincyInst : The US should rethink its posture/strategy in the Pacific but not pull back from the First Island Chain. Here's why.
https://t.co/iFDe0qWlxb

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

NEW @lieven_anatol : "Putin and the Russian government have stated recently that if NATO blockades Kaliningrad, Russia will respond with nuclear weapons if necessary; every member of the Russian establishment with whom I have spoken has said the same."
https://t.co/5U3hYY8CPb

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

NEW @nolandenaro: From signalgate to double-tap Caribbean boat killings to the war in Iran, Hegseth faces a potential coal-raking after the midterms. https://t.co/7mrqG8MaMF

[Nolan Denaro @nolandenaro]

If Dems Win Big In Midterms, Hegseth’s Head Could Roll

Liberal lawmakers are anxious to go after the defense secretary over Iran, Venezuela and more

New by me in @RStatecraft, linked below ⬇️

[Jack Hunter @jackhunter74]

In defiance of his own party, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth over his launching of the war in Iran without congressional authorization. Massie’s resolution is expected to face a vote shortly after the midterms.

The attacks on supposed drug boats have led to a flurry of legal debates…Anger over the strikes has at times crossed partisan lines. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been among the most vocal critics of the strikes, calling them“extrajudicial killings.” @nolandenaro @RStatecraft https://t.co/cl0QCVrpTo

[Alex JER-dun @alexjordanATL]

We went deep with Annelle on the latest Always At War: how she got into foreign policy, whether Washington actually gives a shit about human rights, & much more

Watch on QI's YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts!!

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

WATCH: Annelle Sheline tells #AlwaysatWar @QuincyInst pod this week why another US war against the Houthis would only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
https://t.co/9mZl13Ol1G

[Responsible Statecraft @RStatecraft]

.@battleforeurope : A "Russian drone" drone panic swept Europe in the fall of 2025. A Dutch probe of some 60 incidents found “much panic and hardly any evidence of Russian involvement,” with many sightings turning out to be hobby drones, planes, satellites or even stars. https://t.co/4hyU4MqQTH