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Richard Fontaine

@rhfontaine.bsky.social

CEO of the Center for a New American Security (@cnas.bsky.social). Former State Dept, NSC, SFRC, SASC, and advisor to Sen. John McCain. Tweets reflect personal views.

486 Followers  |  49 Following  |  28 Posts  |  Joined: 17.11.2024  |  1.6873

Latest posts by rhfontaine.bsky.social on Bluesky

Remembering Richard L. Armitage - Armitage International Richard L. Armitage, former deputy secretary of state under President George W. Bush, died unexpectedly on Sunday April 13 at the age of 79. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

The world has lost a giant. Rich Armitage was a statesman, an incredible mentor, and a personal hero of mine. He will be so deeply missed. armitageinternational.com/news/remembe...

14.04.2025 21:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom ...

It's a full house at PWH for a book talk on "Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power" with @cnas.bsky.social's @rhfontaine.bsky.social and Penn's Amy Gadsden! Watch live via Zoom: pwh-upenn-edu.zoom.us/j/9577003912...

09.04.2025 16:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power At this event, Richard Fontaine will discuss his new book, Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power.

Join us and @cnas.bsky.social CEO @rhfontaine.bsky.social for a discussion on the U.S. pivot to Asia, how to create effective policy for the region, and its possible effects on American security. *The first 25 attendees will receive a free copy of Fontaine's book* www.eventbrite.com/e/the-us-piv...

02.04.2025 14:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power - Perry World House Across the political spectrum, there is wide agreement that Asia should stand at the center of US foreign policy. But this worldview, first represented in the Obama administrationโ€™s 2011 โ€œPivot to Asi...

Super excited to be welcoming @rhfontaine.bsky.social, CEO of @cnas.bsky.social & PWH Visiting Fellow, to @perryworldhouse.bsky.social on April 9 to talk about The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power! Join online or in person: perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/events/the-u...

02.04.2025 11:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Ep 187: Richard Fontaine on the โ€œReverse Kissingerโ€ Podcast Episode ยท School of War ยท 01/04/2025 ยท 47m

Henry Kissinger in the 1970s used China to balance the Soviet Union. Could the US now flip Russia against China in a "reverse Kissinger?" I joined the School of War podcast to discuss the prospects: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...

01.04.2025 21:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How Elon Muskโ€™s DOGE Cuts Leave a Vacuum That China Can Fill The Department of Government Efficiency is shuttering organizations that Beijing worried about most, or actively sought to subvert.

The charge for the United States is to deter war with China without capitulation and to compete effectively across all the areas of soft power. If the cost-cutting goes too too far, it will amount to unilateral disarmament in the worldโ€™s most important contest. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/u...

22.03.2025 16:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Missed Milestones: Evaluating The Last Four Years in the EAP Region and Unseized Opportunities Under President Trump - Committee on Foreign Affairs Hearing notice Committee Repository

Testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the last four years of U.S. policy in Asia and on opportunities at hand now. Check it out: foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/miss...

26.02.2025 17:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Superpower Has Left the Building: Munich 2025 - War on the Rocks National securityโ€™s Burning Man took place this weekend, as foreign policy types from around the world gathered once again in Bavaria. The Munich Security

Four themes struck me as emblematic of this yearโ€™s Munich Security Conference zeitgeist. My dispatch from Bavaria: warontherocks.com/2025/02/the-...

17.02.2025 16:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Richard Fontaine: The Russo-Chinese Alliance & U.S. Foreign Policy Podcast Episode ยท Diplomatic Immunity ยท 01/16/2025 ยท 32m

Talking about the China-Russia relationship and what it means for U.S. foreign policy ๐Ÿ‘‡ ow.ly/UiHs50UIHqL

29.01.2025 15:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The First 100 Days The First 100 Days is a series of recommendations from CNAS experts. The recommendations span the most pressing issues that will test the administration.

Here are 15 national security actions the administration should take in its first 100 days ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ‘‡ www.cnas.org/publications...

29.01.2025 14:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Trump's foreign policy endgame - Washington Examiner President Donald Trump appears to be strong-arming unwilling leaders into negotiating, according to aides and foreign policy experts.

Foreign policy is something like an iceberg. The visible portion is gleaming and jagged and draws much of the attention. Yet it also has a far bigger and underexamined foundation, one that tends to remain mostly unchanged. www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-h...

25.01.2025 16:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The First 100 Days The First 100 Days is a series of recommendations from CNAS experts. The recommendations span the most pressing issues that will test the administration.

15 national security actions the new administration should take in its first 100 days: www.cnas.org/publications...

24.01.2025 02:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Set the Tone, Establish Policy, Hire Personnelโ€”And Prepare for Crisis President Donald Trump enters office at a critical moment and faces multiple crisesโ€”it would do well to follow a few key maxims.

From @rhfontaine.bsky.social: "Set the Tone, Establish Policy, Hire Personnelโ€”And Prepare for Crisis" www.cnas.org/publications...

21.01.2025 21:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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An interesting article on the continuity of American politics.A recommended read to get a fuller picture

Author argues that despite all the vivid differences between the past and now current presidential administrations, there's more continuity in foreign policy than one could originally expect

21.01.2025 14:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 55    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Trump-Biden-Trump Foreign Policy Eight years shaped by surprising continuityโ€”and four more to come.

For all the differences between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, there will likely be far more foreign policy continuity between the two administrations than meets the eye. On Inauguration Day in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/trump-biden-...

20.01.2025 15:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Set the Tone, Establish Policy, Hire Personnelโ€”And Prepare for Crisis President Donald Trump enters office at a critical moment and faces multiple crisesโ€”it would do well to follow a few key maxims.

Set the Tone, Establish Policy, Hire Personnelโ€”And Prepare for Crisis. Foreign policy for the first 100 days:

www.cnas.org/publications...

20.01.2025 15:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The First 100 Days The First 100 Days is a series of recommendations from CNAS experts. The recommendations span the most pressing issues that will test the administration.

On Inauguration Day, @cnas.bsky.social is publishing the First 100 Days Agenda. Here, CNAS experts lay out their recommendations for the Trump administration's top priorities and early actions: www.cnas.org/publications...

20.01.2025 15:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Trump-Biden-Trump Foreign Policy Eight years shaped by surprising continuityโ€”and four more to come.

For all the differences between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, there will likely be far more foreign policy continuity between the two administrations than meets the eye. On Inauguration Day in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/trump-biden-...

20.01.2025 15:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Dig into the full volume here: www.cnas.org/publications...

Featuring insightful contributions from @rhfontaine.bsky.social, @klkuzminski.bsky.social, @beccawasser.bsky.social, @vivekchil.bsky.social, and @jacobstokes.bsky.social, along with many other colleagues.

20.01.2025 14:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The First 100 Days The First 100 Days is a series of recommendations from CNAS experts. The recommendations span the most pressing issues that will test the administration.

Dig into the full volume here: www.cnas.org/publications...

Featuring stellar contributions from @rhfontaine.bsky.social, @klkuzminski.bsky.social, @beccawasser.bsky.social, @vivekchil.bsky.social, and @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social, along with other incisive colleagues without bsky accounts.

20.01.2025 14:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Trump-Biden-Trump Foreign Policy Eight years shaped by surprising continuityโ€”and four more to come.

For all the differences between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, there will likely be far more foreign policy continuity between the two administrations than meets the eye, argues Richard Fontaine.

20.01.2025 15:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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US urged to bolster Global South ties to counter China-Russia partnership Washington must build up relations with โ€˜global swing statesโ€™ and offer a more โ€˜affirmative and assertiveโ€™ trade policy, say authors.

Writeup of our report on China-Russia cooperation: amp.scmp.com/news/china/a...

09.01.2025 22:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The hometown in happier times. Love NOLA.

01.01.2025 20:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

One of Jimmy Carterโ€™s accomplishments was to elevate the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. That welcome move represented a dramatic change. And the priority endured, with ups and downs, in every administration since. RIP

30.12.2024 20:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

One of Jimmy Carterโ€™s accomplishments was to elevate the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. That welcome move represented a dramatic change. And the priority endured, with ups and downs, in every administration since. RIP

30.12.2024 20:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Blackwill, Robert D.; Fontaine, Richard. Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power. New York: Oxford University Press, 2024. 480 pp. $29.99 (cloth), ISBN 9780197677940. Reviewed by John M. Jennings (US Air Force Academy) Published on H-Diplo (December, 2024) Commissioned by Seth Offenbach (Bronx Community College, The City University of New York)

New book review:
Jennings on Blackwill, Robert D.; Fontaine, Richard: _Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power_. Oxford University Press, 2024. Published by H-Diplo.
Read here: networks.h-net.org/node/20054238

21.12.2024 18:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Thank You from CNAS In 2024, CNAS tackled the nationโ€™s most pressing national security challenges, leading the conversation with bipartisan analysis and innovative solutions.

In 2024, @cnas.bsky.social tackled the nationโ€™s most pressing national security challenges. Our mission will be even more important in 2025, amid a turbulent world and political change in Washington.

Our end of year message: www.cnas.org/publications...

28.12.2024 18:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Thank You from CNAS In 2024, CNAS tackled the nationโ€™s most pressing national security challenges, leading the conversation with bipartisan analysis and innovative solutions.

In 2024, @cnas.bsky.social tackled the nationโ€™s most pressing national security challenges. Our mission will be even more important in 2025, amid a turbulent world and political change in Washington.

Our end of year message: www.cnas.org/publications...

28.12.2024 18:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Nice to see Lost Decade make the list.

21.12.2024 04:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Quote from Richard Fontaine explaining that โ€œbroadly (in the Middle East), things go to hell,โ€ regardless of specific interventions.

Quote from Richard Fontaine explaining that โ€œbroadly (in the Middle East), things go to hell,โ€ regardless of specific interventions.

This line from Richard Fontaine in the NYT back in 2015 has stuck with me ever sinceโ€ฆ

08.12.2024 20:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@rhfontaine is following 20 prominent accounts