Stephen M. Walt

Stephen M. Walt is a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Robert and Renée Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University.

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Articles by Stephen M. Walt
Biden leaves after discussing situation in Afghanistan.
Biden leaves after discussing situation in Afghanistan.

The Top Five Debriefing Questions About Afghanistan

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Joe Biden hugs an attendee.
Joe Biden hugs an attendee.

The Geopolitics of Empathy

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump gather outside of Trump Tower.
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump gather outside of Trump Tower.

Those Who Don’t Investigate the Past Are Doomed to Repeat It

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Members of the U.S. military carry the Israeli and U.S. flags.
Members of the U.S. military carry the Israeli and U.S. flags.

It’s Time to End the ‘Special Relationship’ With Israel

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
A soldier holds a European Union flag
A soldier holds a European Union flag

Exactly How Helpless Is Europe?

Essay
Stephen M. Walt
The U.S. and Chinese flags stand behind a microphone.
The U.S. and Chinese flags stand behind a microphone.

The World Might Want China’s Rules

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
Joe Biden speaks at a business leader breakfast.
Joe Biden speaks at a business leader breakfast.

What Comes After the Forever Wars

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Joe Biden walks through Arlington National Cemetery.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks through Arlington National Cemetery.

Biden’s War at Home Over Afghanistan Is Just Beginning

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about foreign policy at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 4.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about foreign policy at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 4.

China Wants a ‘Rules-Based International Order,’ Too

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
A deactivated missile is in a U.S. silo.
A deactivated missile is in a U.S. silo.

It’s Time to Fold America’s Nuclear Umbrella

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One.

How Biden Benefits From Limiting His Own War Powers

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
A temporary fence surrounds the U.S. Capitol
A temporary fence surrounds the U.S. Capitol

America’s Forever Wars Have Come Back Home

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, the commander of the Kabul Military Training Center, introduces then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Afghan recruits during a break in training on military operations in urban terrain during a two-day surprise visit to Kabul on Jan. 11, 2011.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, the commander of the Kabul Military Training Center, introduces then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Afghan recruits during a break in training on military operations in urban terrain during a two-day surprise visit to Kabul on Jan. 11, 2011.

How Not to Leave Afghanistan

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
In this picture taken on March 2, 2017, a cell for inmates waiting to see the prison medic is seen at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.
In this picture taken on March 2, 2017, a cell for inmates waiting to see the prison medic is seen at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.

Why ‘Hostage Diplomacy’ Works

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
An anti-coup protester holds up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Myanmar embassy on Feb. 4 in Bangkok.
An anti-coup protester holds up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Myanmar embassy on Feb. 4 in Bangkok.

What America Should—and Shouldn’t—Do About Myanmar’s Coup

Voice
Stephen M. Walt
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