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Would YOU negotiate with Putin?

Would YOU negotiate with Putin?

Ex-CIA and QI grand strategist George Beebe offers this primer on de-escalation talks with Russia

Analysis | Video Section
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The Ukraine War has dragged on for nearly three years with no current end in sight. The United States' pledge to Ukraine's defense has grown increasingly costly and unpopular, and talks on both sides of escalation — and even the potential use of nuclear weapons, on the part of Russia — threaten to expand and inflate the conflict. Ukraine has defended itself admirably, but the time is now to set out a plan for negotiations and de-escalation.

In the above video, former CIA Russia Analysis Chief and Quincy Institute's Director of Grand Strategy George Beebe discusses the future outlook of the Ukraine War and the context and potential avenues for diplomacy with Russia.


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Analysis | Video Section
Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed iraq
Top photo credit: , First Lady of Iraq (Office of the First Lady)

Exclusive: Iraq's First Lady says 'this is not our war'

Middle East

As the conflict in the Middle East engulfs more countries, recent media reports alleging that the CIA is planning to arm Kurdish ground troops to spark an uprising in Iran have been met with vehement denials by Iraqi Kurdish officials.

However, while the Trump administration has denied that report, it is engaged in outreach to the various Kurdish groups to enlist their participation in an uprising against the Iranian regime. Meanwhile, after unconfirmed reports that some Kurdish groups were already engaging in cross-border attacks on Wednesday, the Iranians launched airstrikes at what they say are “anti-Iran separatist forces” in the mountains of Western Iran.

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Macron Merz
Top image credit: EUS-Nachrichten / Shutterstock.com

France and Germany launch Europe's nuclear Plan B

Europe

Since early last year, France has been exploring with Germany and other partners the question of expanding or extending France’s nuclear deterrent to protect NATO partners in Europe.

This idea, in more modest versions advanced by France since the 1990s, always met resistance from traditionally Atlanticist Germany, concerned never to appear to doubt U.S. defense commitments to Europe. France itself has until now also been ambivalent about seeming to internationalize its force de frappe, conceived as the ultimate guarantor of France’s national territorial defense.

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On Iran, Spain's Sanchez rises above the bowed heads of Europe
Top photo credit: Madrid, Spain - October 12, 2025: National Day Parade held in Madrid. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends the parade with other politicians. (Marta Fernandez Jimenez/Shutterstock)

On Iran, Spain's Sanchez rises above the bowed heads of Europe

Europe

While most European leaders have responded to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran with condemnations of the Iranian regime and tepid calls for "de-escalation" designed not to offend Washington, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has unequivocally condemned the war on Iran as a breach of international law.

Contrast that with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who chose to insist at the war’s outset that "this is not the time to lecture our partners and allies" about potential violations of international law.

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