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
New York Times columnist David Brooks speaking at the Book Expo America in New York.
New York Times columnist David Brooks speaking at the Book Expo America in New York.

When Zombie Neoconservatives Attack

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Stephen M. Walt
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives two thumbs up to the crowd during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives two thumbs up to the crowd during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Nobody’s Asking for Trump to Be a Genius

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Stephen M. Walt
Supporters wave U.S. flags as they attend the Rally for America event at Marshall University stadium May 24, 2003 in Huntington, West Virginia.
Supporters wave U.S. flags as they attend the Rally for America event at Marshall University stadium May 24, 2003 in Huntington, West Virginia.

You Can’t Defeat Nationalism, So Stop Trying

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Stephen M. Walt
A man on a rooftop looks at approaching flames on May 3, 2013, near Camarillo, California.
A man on a rooftop looks at approaching flames on May 3, 2013, near Camarillo, California.

Be Afraid of the World, Be Very Afraid

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Stephen M. Walt
National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks at the United Against Nuclear Iran Summit in New York on Sept. 25, 2018.
National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks at the United Against Nuclear Iran Summit in New York on Sept. 25, 2018.

If Nobody Knows Your Iran Policy, Does It Even Exist?

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Stephen M. Walt
Sarah Elizabeth Robles of the United States competes during a weightlifting competition at the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sarah Elizabeth Robles of the United States competes during a weightlifting competition at the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

America Isn’t as Powerful as It Thinks It Is

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Stephen M. Walt
A fortune-telling fairground attraction bearing the likeness of Donald Trump stands at Washington Square Park in New York on Oct. 14, 2016. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)
A fortune-telling fairground attraction bearing the likeness of Donald Trump stands at Washington Square Park in New York on Oct. 14, 2016. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

The United States Will Be Shocked by Its Future

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Stephen M. Walt
A security guard walks past a welcoming banner at Pristina International Airport prior to the arrival of the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in Kosovo on May 21, 2009. (Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images)
A security guard walks past a welcoming banner at Pristina International Airport prior to the arrival of the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in Kosovo on May 21, 2009. (Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images)

America Is Wide Open for Foreign Influence

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Stephen M. Walt
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Hall of the People on March 17, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Feng Li/Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Hall of the People on March 17, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

5 Very Important Things About the World Nobody Knows

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Stephen M. Walt
President Donald Trump leaves the East Room of the White House after a summit as senior adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump, and senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner look on May 18, 2018 in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump leaves the East Room of the White House after a summit as senior adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump, and senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner look on May 18, 2018 in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

America’s Corruption Is a National Security Threat

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Stephen M. Walt
Vice President Mike Pence listens while Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer argue with President Donald Trump at the White House on Dec. 11, 2018 in Washington. (Brendan Smalowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Vice President Mike Pence listens while Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer argue with President Donald Trump at the White House on Dec. 11, 2018 in Washington. (Brendan Smalowski/AFP/Getty Images)

America’s Polarization Is a Foreign Policy Problem, Too

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Stephen M. Walt
President Donald J. Trump returns to the White House on Feb. 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Chris Kleponis/Getty Images)
President Donald J. Trump returns to the White House on Feb. 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Chris Kleponis/Getty Images)

The Tragedy of Trump’s Foreign Policy

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Stephen M. Walt
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, speaks in Washington on Feb. 7. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, speaks in Washington on Feb. 7. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

How (and How Not) to Talk About the Israel Lobby

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Stephen M. Walt
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tours the German submarine, U33, on Aug. 31, 2006 in Warnemuende, Germany. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tours the German submarine, U33, on Aug. 31, 2006 in Warnemuende, Germany. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Why Some Countries Are Pathologically Shy

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Stephen M. Walt
A skydiver with the American flag in tow in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sept. 23, 2018. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A skydiver with the American flag in tow in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sept. 23, 2018. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)

America Has a Commitment Problem

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Stephen M. Walt
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