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. Walt is the author of The New Geopolitics, a five-part newsletter masterclass breaking down the biggest concepts you should use to navigate today’s world.

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Articles by Stephen M. Walt
Soldiers recover an overturned battle tank in a training area near Bordon, United Kingdom, on March 14, 2022.
Soldiers recover an overturned battle tank in a training area near Bordon, United Kingdom, on March 14, 2022.

Top Signs You’re Heading for a Quagmire

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
USA's goalkeeper Charlie Lindgren reacts during the IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match between the United States and Czech Republic in Prague on May 23, 2024.
USA's goalkeeper Charlie Lindgren reacts during the IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match between the United States and Czech Republic in Prague on May 23, 2024.

Welcome to the New Defense-Dominant World This article has an audio recording

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Students graduate during a ceremony at Tsinghua University in Beijing on July 18, 2007.
Students graduate during a ceremony at Tsinghua University in Beijing on July 18, 2007.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About IR Grad School This article has an audio recording

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Trump raises both hands level with his head, one on each side, while he speaks into a microphone. He wears a dark suit and red tie.
Trump raises both hands level with his head, one on each side, while he speaks into a microphone. He wears a dark suit and red tie.

The Top 10 Ways Trump Has Made America Weaker This article has an audio recording

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
George W. Bush stands on a ship while behind a podium and giving a thumb's up with his right hand. Around him, people are clapping.
George W. Bush stands on a ship while behind a podium and giving a thumb's up with his right hand. Around him, people are clapping.

Why the United States Keeps Losing Wars

Analysis
Stephen M. Walt
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump meet during the annual NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump meet during the annual NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8.

NATO Is Still a Sick Puppy

Analysis
Stephen M. Walt
Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on April 7, 2025; and President Donald Trump Washington on Aug. 14, 2025.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on April 7, 2025; and President Donald Trump Washington on Aug. 14, 2025.

War Has Become Pointless This article has an audio recording

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Visitors walk past China's first nuclear missile on display at the Military Museum in Beijing on July 23, 2007.
Visitors walk past China's first nuclear missile on display at the Military Museum in Beijing on July 23, 2007.

The Quest for Nuclear Superiority Makes No Sense

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
A worker gives the final touches to carnival masks on February 15, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A worker gives the final touches to carnival masks on February 15, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It’s Time to Stop Hunting Monsters

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio whispers in the ear of President Donald Trump during a roundtable about Antifa in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2025.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio whispers in the ear of President Donald Trump during a roundtable about Antifa in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2025.

How to Escape Blame for Bad Advice

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Donald Trump prays during a roundtable discussion with Latino community leaders at Trump National Doral Miami resort in Miami, Florida, on October 22, 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump prays during a roundtable discussion with Latino community leaders at Trump National Doral Miami resort in Miami, Florida, on October 22, 2024.

Trump Should Just Admit He Screwed Up

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react after posing for photos ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react after posing for photos ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea.

Chinese Hegemony Might Be Happening

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he walks off stage at the end of a campaign rally at the Santander Arena on November 04, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he walks off stage at the end of a campaign rally at the Santander Arena on November 04, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The End of America’s Soft Power This article has an audio recording

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
US President Donald Trump greets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2025.
US President Donald Trump greets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2025.

The Strongman Era Has Peaked

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks to Fox News outside the White House May 1, 2019, in Washington.
National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks to Fox News outside the White House May 1, 2019, in Washington.

America’s Pro-War Elites Must Be Held Accountable

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
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