https://www.cfr.org/ Zenko covers the U.S. national security debate and offers insight on developments in international security and conflict prevention. en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:50:18 -0400 https://www.cfr.org/blog/signing Today is my last day at the Council on Foreign Relations after eight and one-half fun and fulfill Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Post U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/signing Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:00:00 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/bitcoin-bombs Olivia McCoy is an intern in the Center for Preventive Action at the Council on Foreign Relat Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technology https://www.cfr.org/blog/bitcoin-bombs Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:11:44 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-cutting-foreign-aid-benefits-terrorists Max Friedman is an intern in the  Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Foreign Aid Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post United States Agency for International Development (USAID) https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-cutting-foreign-aid-benefits-terrorists Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:18:36 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/geopolitical-information-blockades-new-norm Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Digital Policy Post International Relations Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/geopolitical-information-blockades-new-norm Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:34:38 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/you-might-have-missed-academic-journals-vi This is the sixth blog post in this series. Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Foreign Aid Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post International Relations U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/you-might-have-missed-academic-journals-vi Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:35:04 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-are-civilian-deaths-iraq-and-syria-us-airstrikes-60-under-trump Today, I have an Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Syria Iraq Defense and Security Post Drones https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-are-civilian-deaths-iraq-and-syria-us-airstrikes-60-under-trump Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:30:51 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/did-killing-mullah-mansour-work This blog post was coauthored with my research associate, Micah Zenko Afghanistan Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Afghanistan War Post Drones Taliban https://www.cfr.org/blog/did-killing-mullah-mansour-work Thu, 25 May 2017 11:47:10 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/irans-election-litmus-test-next-supreme-leader Heli Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Iran Center for Preventive Action Post Politics and Government https://www.cfr.org/blog/irans-election-litmus-test-next-supreme-leader Thu, 18 May 2017 16:04:05 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/sex-trafficking-and-refugee-crisis-exploiting-vulnerable Caroline O’Leary is an intern in the  Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Sexual Violence Center for Preventive Action Human Trafficking Post Humanitarian Crises https://www.cfr.org/blog/sex-trafficking-and-refugee-crisis-exploiting-vulnerable Mon, 15 May 2017 22:06:15 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-first-100-days-third-conversation-elizabeth-saunders Following our conversations in the heat of the 2016 presidential campaign Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-first-100-days-third-conversation-elizabeth-saunders Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:24:05 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/forced-grid-cyberattack-united-states Eshani Bhatt is an intern in the Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Defense and Security Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/forced-grid-cyberattack-united-states Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:49:18 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-pentagon-announces-killing-terrorists-versus-civilians This blog post was coauthored with my research associate, Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Syria Military Operations Iraq Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-pentagon-announces-killing-terrorists-versus-civilians Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:23:31 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/end-euphrates-shield-not-us-turkey-tensions Caroline O’Leary is an intern in the Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Syria Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/end-euphrates-shield-not-us-turkey-tensions Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:17:23 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/obamas-worst-foreign-policy-decision-two-years-later You probably missed it, but Saturday was the second anniversary of President Barack Obama’s worst Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Yemen Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/obamas-worst-foreign-policy-decision-two-years-later Mon, 27 Mar 2017 10:49:23 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/not-so-peaceful-transition-power-trumps-drone-strikes-outpace-obama [Note: This post was updated to reflect additional strikes in Yemen on March 2, Mar Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Heads of State and Government Military Operations Yemen Pakistan Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/not-so-peaceful-transition-power-trumps-drone-strikes-outpace-obama Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:59:01 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/will-nagorno-karabakhs-frozen-conflict-heat Eshani Bhatt is an intern in the Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Conflict Prevention Political Transitions Territorial Disputes Azerbaijan Armenia Post Nagorno-Karabakh https://www.cfr.org/blog/will-nagorno-karabakhs-frozen-conflict-heat Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:11:28 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/being-honest-about-us-military-strategy-afghanistan Today, the commander of U.S. Micah Zenko Afghanistan Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Defense and Security Afghanistan War Post Taliban https://www.cfr.org/blog/being-honest-about-us-military-strategy-afghanistan Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:28:00 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/ending-south-sudan-civil-war-conversation-kate-almquist-knopf Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action International Organizations United States Political Transitions Post Diplomacy and International Institutions Sub-Saharan Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/ending-south-sudan-civil-war-conversation-kate-almquist-knopf Tue, 31 Jan 2017 14:14:06 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/fifteen-questions-trump-should-answer-about-his-safe-zones Yesterday, the White House Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Syria Military Operations Defense and Security Yemen Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/fifteen-questions-trump-should-answer-about-his-safe-zones Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:06:34 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/obamas-final-drone-strike-data As Donald Trump assumes office today, he inherits a targeted killing program that has been the co Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Heads of State and Government Military Operations Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/obamas-final-drone-strike-data Fri, 20 Jan 2017 13:14:57 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/superforecasters-software-and-spies-conversation-jason-matheny This week I sat down with Dr. Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Intelligence Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/superforecasters-software-and-spies-conversation-jason-matheny Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:25:50 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-many-bombs-did-united-states-drop-2016 This blog post was coauthored with my research associate, Micah Zenko Afghanistan Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Defense and Security Libya Yemen Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-many-bombs-did-united-states-drop-2016 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:06:22 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-eu-trade-tenterhooks-faltering-membership-talks-threaten-economic-ties Sabina Frize Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Turkey Conflict Prevention Trade Post European Union Europe and Eurasia https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-eu-trade-tenterhooks-faltering-membership-talks-threaten-economic-ties Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:53:19 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-trumps-foreign-policy-appointments-matter-second-conversation-elizabeth-saunders I was lucky enough to again be joined by the brilliant Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Defense and Security Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-trumps-foreign-policy-appointments-matter-second-conversation-elizabeth-saunders Fri, 16 Dec 2016 14:27:15 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/politics-proliferation-conversation-matthew-fuhrmann I spoke with  Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Defense Technology Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Defense and Security Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/politics-proliferation-conversation-matthew-fuhrmann Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:36:42 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/what-conflicts-should-trump-administration-watch-2017 Hel Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko 2017 Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Conflict Prevention Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/what-conflicts-should-trump-administration-watch-2017 Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:01:36 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/red-states-and-green-cities-predictions-trump-era-climate-action Jennifer Wi Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action State and Local Governments (U.S.) Climate Change Post Paris Climate Agreement https://www.cfr.org/blog/red-states-and-green-cities-predictions-trump-era-climate-action Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:36:59 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/drone-memos-conversation-jameel-jaffer This week, I spoke with Jameel Jaffer, inaugural director of the Knight First Amendment Institute Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Heads of State and Government Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/drone-memos-conversation-jameel-jaffer Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:30:22 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/ending-war-south-sudan-new-approach Sarah Collman Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action International Organizations Political Transitions Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/ending-war-south-sudan-new-approach Wed, 30 Nov 2016 08:54:21 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/thinking-about-long-term-cybersecurity-conversation-steven-weber-and-betsy-cooper I had a fascinating conversation with Professor  Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Cybersecurity Center for Preventive Action Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/thinking-about-long-term-cybersecurity-conversation-steven-weber-and-betsy-cooper Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:52:48 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/kabilas-repression-consequence-un-inaction Susanna Kalaris an intern in the Center for Preventive Action at the Council on Foreign Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Democratic Republic of Congo Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action International Organizations Conflict Prevention Peacekeeping Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/kabilas-repression-consequence-un-inaction Fri, 18 Nov 2016 15:32:13 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-airstrikes-iraq-and-syria-versus-drone-strikes-pakistan-yemen-and-somalia Yesterday, U.S. Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Syria Iraq Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-airstrikes-iraq-and-syria-versus-drone-strikes-pakistan-yemen-and-somalia Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:03:40 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-everything-became-war-conversation-rosa-brooks I was lucky enough to speak with Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Wars and Conflict Post Military History https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-everything-became-war-conversation-rosa-brooks Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:15:49 EST Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/five-ways-trumps-foreign-policy-would-be-disaster I have a new Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Conflict Prevention Defense and Security Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/five-ways-trumps-foreign-policy-would-be-disaster Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:46:01 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/understanding-atrocities-conversation-dara-kay-cohen I spoke with Dara Kay Cohen, assistant professor of public policy at Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Conflict Prevention Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/understanding-atrocities-conversation-dara-kay-cohen Mon, 31 Oct 2016 12:07:02 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/military-endorsements-and-civ-mil-relations-conversation-peter-feaver Last week, I spoke with Peter Feaver, professor of political science and public policy at Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Political History and Theory Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/military-endorsements-and-civ-mil-relations-conversation-peter-feaver Tue, 25 Oct 2016 09:20:02 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-and-makings-constitutional-crisis During yesterday’s third and (mercifully) final presidential Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Conflict Prevention Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-and-makings-constitutional-crisis Thu, 20 Oct 2016 09:53:08 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/it-still-1968-conversation-michael-cohen Today, I spoke with Michael A. Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Elections and Voting Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/it-still-1968-conversation-michael-cohen Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:50:56 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/what-threats-or-conflicts-will-emerge-or-escalate-2017 In last night’s presidential debate, it took little time for Republican presidential candidate Do Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Elections and Voting Conflict Prevention Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/what-threats-or-conflicts-will-emerge-or-escalate-2017 Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:42:48 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/literal-cold-war-eu-russian-struggle-over-energy-security Niall Hende Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Russia Center for Preventive Action Conflict Prevention Post Diplomacy and International Institutions European Union Europe and Eurasia https://www.cfr.org/blog/literal-cold-war-eu-russian-struggle-over-energy-security Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:53:38 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/predictions-candidates-promises-secure-america This blog post was coauthored with my research associate, Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Elections and Voting Defense and Security Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/predictions-candidates-promises-secure-america Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:56:54 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/colombia-peace-agreement-does-not-mean-end-us-involvement Aaron Picozzi Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action United States Political Transitions Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/colombia-peace-agreement-does-not-mean-end-us-involvement Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:10:26 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-not-red-team During the 2015 summer travel season, airline passengers were stunned by a finding that was never Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Defense and Security Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-not-red-team Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:52:33 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/hackers-pen-tests-and-security-research-conversation-chris-rohlf I spoke with Chris Rohlf, former head of Yahoo’s red team in New York and a thoughtful and respec Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Cybersecurity Center for Preventive Action Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/hackers-pen-tests-and-security-research-conversation-chris-rohlf Tue, 06 Sep 2016 11:15:44 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/cfr-model-diplomacy-students-policymakers When asked to recommend readings for international relations and foreign policy syllabi, I regula Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/cfr-model-diplomacy-students-policymakers Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:21:26 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/pentagon-plans-autonomous-systems Today, the Defense Science Board (DSB) released a long-awaited study, simply titled Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/pentagon-plans-autonomous-systems Tue, 23 Aug 2016 10:26:20 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/civil-military-relations-conversation-kori-schake Today I spoke with Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Military Operations Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/civil-military-relations-conversation-kori-schake Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:28:20 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/reviewing-pentagons-isis-body-counts Four months after President Obama Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Syria Military Operations Iraq Defense and Security Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/reviewing-pentagons-isis-body-counts Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:24:55 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-donald-trump-wrong-about-nato Dan Alles is an intern in the Center for Preventive Action at the Council on Foreign Rel Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Center for Preventive Action Conflict Prevention Post Donald Trump NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-donald-trump-wrong-about-nato Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:29:40 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Guest Blogger for Micah Zenko https://www.cfr.org/blog/revisiting-president-reagans-iran-arms-hostages-initiative The Wall Street Journal published an important Micah Zenko Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Iran Center for Preventive Action United States Defense and Security Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/revisiting-president-reagans-iran-arms-hostages-initiative Wed, 03 Aug 2016 16:26:08 EDT Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Micah Zenko