Programs Director @defpriorities | Interests: international relations, space, science fiction, remote work, and how to live the best life.
Washington DC metro
Joined October 2020
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Great new DEFP explainer from my colleague @BH_Friedman! He walks through how the proliferation of accuracy has both made regional bases more vulnerable AND less necessary for the U.S., demonstrated by the Iran War. defensepriorities.org/explai…
Great new piece out from my colleague @jekavanagh ! She's one of the most logical, organized, methodical writers I know and writes very readable papers as a result.
In a new explainer, @jekavanagh argues that shifting the U.S. posture in Asia from the vulnerable first island chain to the more defensible second island chain would reduce the risk of a war with China while still protecting U.S. interests.
Read now: defensepriorities.org/explai…
Michelle Newby retweeted
NEW EXPLAINER by Asia Program Director @lylegoldstein: "Assessing the China-Russia quasi-alliance"
Goldstein argues that while the Chinese and Russian relationship still falls short of a full alliance presently, overly confrontational U.S. policies could still push the two powers closer together.
Michelle Newby retweeted
This is Mars on Sol 3225.
A nuclear-powered rover, built by people on Earth and flung roughly 140 million miles across the void, captured this.
A 360 panorama, stitched together from 132 images shot by Curiosity's Mast Camera on September 1, 2021.
Great article from my colleagues @RKelanic and @jekavanagh !!
“The United States has not defeated Iran, and thus cannot dictate a victor’s terms or expect Iran’s total capitulation,” argue @jekavanagh and @RKelanic. Achieving a deal will likely require “uncomfortable U.S. concessions.”
foreignaffairs.com/iran/trum…
Michelle Newby retweeted
A big lesson from the Strait of Hormuz closure is that the United States can break its dependence on the Middle East if it breaks its dependence on oil: @RKelanic
Michelle Newby retweeted
Two months into the war in Iran, talks to end it are at an impasse.
What should the U.S. do now?
Watch my conversation with @defpriorities' @BH_Friedman, where he answers that question and examines big-picture lessons from the war. 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=2iRhAT1p…
Great panel breaking down the implications of the Iran War from my colleagues (past and present) @jekavanagh, @capreble, @JohnByrnes13, and @brandan_buck Check it out! youtube.com/watch?v=My07c9tU…
Michelle Newby retweeted
NEW from @RKelanic in @nytopinion on why oil price spikes hurt the United States more than other major powers and how Washington can solve the problem
Read here: nytimes.com/2026/03/09/opini…
Michelle Newby retweeted
Middle East Director @RKelanic speaks with Contributing Fellow @AEGallagher10 about U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva yesterday and breaks down why it's so important that Washington is focused only on nuclear issues in negotiations.
Watch now:
Michelle Newby retweeted
One thing to notice about Tom Cotton's call for a new arms race in the @WSJ is the absence of any argument.
There's lots of policy--we should do X, Y, and Z--but *no* explanation of why his proposals would serve U.S. interests.
Let's take a look... (1/n)
Another great episode from my favorite podcast (@securitydpod) featuring my friend @DanDePetris !! A solid overview of current events between the U.S. and Latin America.
New Episode!
What is the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine? Is it even distinct from primacy?
@DanDePetris returned to the show to discuss these questions, U.S. Cuba and Venezuela policy, and more.
Check it out!
open.spotify.com/episode/1Nx…
If you want more from @DanDePetris, be sure to check out his new paper "Move on from Washington's outdated Cuba policy" defensepriorities.org/explai…
Check out this informative new paper from my colleague @jekavanagh! It's an amazing resource for info on various historical security models and detailed info on what a defensively-orientated Ukrainian military would need.
NEW EXPLAINER: "An armed nonalignment model for Ukraine's postwar security" by Director of Military Analysis @jekavanagh
The paper offers a security model for Ukraine that addresses both Kyiv's fears about future Russian aggression and Moscow's security concerns. defensepriorities.org/explai…
Michelle Newby retweeted
We've been giving you some space, but now we're back to giving you space ✨
@NASAWebb captured newborn stars forming in clouds of dust and gas in nearby star-forming region Pismis 24.
science.nasa.gov/missions/we…
ALT A blue and black sky filled with stars covers about two thirds of the image. The stars are different sizes and shades of white, yellow, and orange. Across the bottom third is a mountain-like vista with spire-like peaks and deep valleys. These “mountains” appear in shades of orange, yellow, and brown. The spires go up and meet a wispy, white cloud that stretches horizontally across the scene. At the top, right corner of the image, a swath of orange and brown structure cuts diagonally across the sky. Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI.
This was a great panel - you should definitely check it out! They'll get you up-to-speed on current events and then walk you through why regime change - covert or overt - is a terrible policy option.
How crazy is it to try to do regime change in Venezuela through air strikes and covert action? Very. @defp's panel (@chrisjmccallion, @DanDePetris, Alex Downes and Lindsey O'Rourke) explain the ways.
Interested in how Taiwan might fare if China decided to invade? Or how the U.S. and other regional states could respond? Check out @lylegoldstein's new series "Target Taiwan"
NEW EXPLAINER SERIES: "Target Taiwan"
Asia Program Director @lylegoldstein explores in great detail the scenario of an all-out Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Explore the series here: defensepriorities.org/series…
Need something fun and informative to read as your wrap up your work week? Check out @chrisjmccallion's new piece explaining the basics of deterrence, with an emphasis on how this applies to U.S. foreign policy today and why "restraint" is the best grand strategy.
@chrisjmccallion's new explainer, the latest in our series on Grand Strategy, details why the United States should exit unnecessary commitments to extended deterrence, which strain U.S. credibility.
defensepriorities.org/explai…
Check out this new expert survey, analyzed by my colleague @jekavanagh! There's a lot of disagreement about what the U.S. would - and should - do if Taiwan is ever attacked by China. Take a look!
NEW EXPLAINER: Director of Military Analysis @jekavanagh analyzes the results from an expert survey on Taiwan.
The survey shows there is substantial disagreement among experts as to how the United States should and would respond to a Taiwan conflict. defensepriorities.org/explai…
@scottstrga - IIRC, you researched people who fit the criteria in order to compile the expert list, right? Thought you'd want to know the results are posted!