Emma Ashford

Emma Ashford is a columnist at Foreign Policy and a senior fellow with the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University, and the author of Oil, the State, and War.

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Articles by Emma Ashford
Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023.
Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023.

When Fighting Is More Rational Than Peacemaking

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Finnish military personnel install the Finnish national flag at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Finnish military personnel install the Finnish national flag at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Will Finland’s NATO Accession Make a Difference?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping meet in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping meet in Moscow.

What Does Xi’s Visit to Russia Mean for the World?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on March 9.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on March 9.

Does the United States Have More Leverage Over Israel Than It Thinks?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Supporters of Mali's military government wave flags of Russian during a pro-junta and pro-Russia rally in Bamako on May 13, 2022.
Supporters of Mali's military government wave flags of Russian during a pro-junta and pro-Russia rally in Bamako on May 13, 2022.

Why Can’t the World Agree on Ukraine?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press after arriving at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Feb. 4, 2023.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press after arriving at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Feb. 4, 2023.

Is the U.S. Reaction to China’s Spy Balloon Overdue or Overblown?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
The U.S. Abrams tanks, the German Leopard and the AHS Krab, a 155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer seen at a training ground in Poland on Sept. 21, 2022.
The U.S. Abrams tanks, the German Leopard and the AHS Krab, a 155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer seen at a training ground in Poland on Sept. 21, 2022.

Will Tanks Turn the Tide for Ukraine?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Nov. 8, 2022.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Nov. 8, 2022.

Is Turkey a Crucial or Corrosive NATO Ally?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
People holding candles form a large, glowing peace sign at night in a grand plaza.
People holding candles form a large, glowing peace sign at night in a grand plaza.

Will 2023 Be More Peaceful Than 2022?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Leaders Session at the Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Leaders Session at the Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Are Autocratic Allies Damaging U.S. and EU Credibility?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Mehrdad Minavand of Iran in action during the World Cup first round match against the United States at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, France on June 21, 1998. Iran won the match 2-1.
Mehrdad Minavand of Iran in action during the World Cup first round match against the United States at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, France on June 21, 1998. Iran won the match 2-1.

A U.S.-Iranian Standoff at the World Cup—and Beyond

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate J.D. Vance greet supporters during the rally on Nov. 7 in Vandalia, Ohio. 
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate J.D. Vance greet supporters during the rally on Nov. 7 in Vandalia, Ohio. 

Will U.S. Midterm Results Affect Washington’s Foreign Policy?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 29.
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 29.

Is Biden’s National Security Strategy a Match for a Chaotic World?

It's Debatable
Matthew Kroenig, Emma Ashford
A picture taken on March 18, 2008 shows Russian Topol missiles during a rehearsal for the nation's annual May 9 Victory Day parade, in Yushkovo, Russia.
A picture taken on March 18, 2008 shows Russian Topol missiles during a rehearsal for the nation's annual May 9 Victory Day parade, in Yushkovo, Russia.

Can Vague U.S. Threats Deter Russia From Using Nukes?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia
Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia

How Should the West Respond to Putin’s Military Mobilization?

It's Debatable
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
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