Today, Jess, Les, Morgan, and Matthew discuss why Greenland has suddenly become a focal point of U.S. foreign policy. President Trump has reignited debate by publicly suggesting the United States should own Greenland, escalating rhetoric well beyond existing basing rights under the 1951 agreement with Denmark. While administration officials have walked back any suggestion of force, Greenlandic leaders have rejected the idea outright—even as the island’s strategic importance grows amid heightened Arctic competition involving Russia and China.

What national security concerns is the administration trying to address with its approach to Greenland? Is the focus on Greenland driven by concerns over Russian and Chinese military activity, access to critical minerals, missile overflight risks, or all of the above? And while the U.S. case for Greenland’s strategic importance is clear, does the administration’s approach risk alienating Denmark and other NATO allies — and if so, at what cost to Arctic cooperation?

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

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Today, Morgan, Les, Jamil, and Algene discuss the United States’ announcement that it would provide security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a potential peace settlement with Russia. The move follows discussions in Paris between U.S. and European partners, outlining a proposed security architecture for Ukraine and “legally binding” commitments meant to support a postwar order. U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have both indicated President Trump’s backing, and Ukrainian officials say roughly 90 percent of a peace framework is agreed—though major territorial questions remain unresolved.

What do security guarantees actually mean in practice, and do they bring Ukraine any closer to a durable peace? Are these commitments meaningful deterrents, or largely symbolic without clear enforcement mechanisms? And with Russia showing no willingness to accept a ceasefire—or the presence of Western peacekeepers—what happens if Moscow simply ignores the framework altogether?

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussion:

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@algenesajery

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Episode 541: Operation Maximum Resolve - Regime Tailoring?

Today, Les, Morgan, Jess, and Matthew discuss the U.S. operation in Venezuela over the weekend that extracted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and brought them to New York to face drug trafficking charges. While the Trump administration says no U.S. troops are currently on the ground and denies plans to run Venezuela’s day-to-day affairs, the operation follows months of apparent intelligence and military preparation and coincides with a significant U.S. naval presence offshore. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as interim president, setting the stage for a highly uncertain next phase inside the country.

Is this regime change—or a more limited leadership removal designed to avoid the mistakes of past U.S. interventions? Does extracting a single leader offer a cheaper, more effective alternative to invasion and occupation, or does it raise serious questions about sovereignty and international law? And can the United States translate a stunning military and intelligence success into lasting deterrence, democratic opportunity, and a rollback of Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere?

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@nottvjessjones

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