Zack Cooper
@zackcooper.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Lecturer at Princeton University
Partner at Armitage International
Former Pentagon and White House staffer
Wrangler of children
Lecturer at Princeton University
Partner at Armitage International
Former Pentagon and White House staffer
Wrangler of children
Reposted by Zack Cooper
“Without a plan for terminating a war in Taiwan, Washington would risk repeating the pattern of U.S. strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan that many Trump officials critiqued: winning the first battle but losing the war,” argues @zackcooper.bsky.social.
How War in Taiwan Ends
Even if deterrence fails, America could thwart China.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“Without a plan for terminating a war in Taiwan, Washington would risk repeating the pattern of U.S. strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan that many Trump officials critiqued: winning the first battle but losing the war,” argues @zackcooper.bsky.social.
The team at ChinaFile asked eight of us to assess the state of play in US-China relations and who has the upper hand in the ongoing negotiations. I think it's pretty clear.
Beijing is showing its capabilities and biding its time. And it's working.
www.chinafile.com/conversation...
Beijing is showing its capabilities and biding its time. And it's working.
www.chinafile.com/conversation...
September 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The team at ChinaFile asked eight of us to assess the state of play in US-China relations and who has the upper hand in the ongoing negotiations. I think it's pretty clear.
Beijing is showing its capabilities and biding its time. And it's working.
www.chinafile.com/conversation...
Beijing is showing its capabilities and biding its time. And it's working.
www.chinafile.com/conversation...
In the last year we have gone from:
BEIJING begging WASHINGTON to allow it to buy advanced semiconductors
to...
WASHINGTON begging BEIJING to allow it to sell advanced semiconductors
I give up. 🤦♂️
BEIJING begging WASHINGTON to allow it to buy advanced semiconductors
to...
WASHINGTON begging BEIJING to allow it to sell advanced semiconductors
I give up. 🤦♂️
September 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
In the last year we have gone from:
BEIJING begging WASHINGTON to allow it to buy advanced semiconductors
to...
WASHINGTON begging BEIJING to allow it to sell advanced semiconductors
I give up. 🤦♂️
BEIJING begging WASHINGTON to allow it to buy advanced semiconductors
to...
WASHINGTON begging BEIJING to allow it to sell advanced semiconductors
I give up. 🤦♂️
Reposted by Zack Cooper
ASIA INSIGHT PODCAST: Zack Cooper (@zackcooper.bsky.social), Bee Yun Jo, and Lavina Lee discuss the sustainability of U.S. extended #deterrence and #nuclear restraint in #Australia, #Japan, and #SouthKorea in light of three trends. www.nbr.org/publication/...
September 12, 2025 at 9:40 PM
ASIA INSIGHT PODCAST: Zack Cooper (@zackcooper.bsky.social), Bee Yun Jo, and Lavina Lee discuss the sustainability of U.S. extended #deterrence and #nuclear restraint in #Australia, #Japan, and #SouthKorea in light of three trends. www.nbr.org/publication/...
After 14 years, I think the time has come to acknowledge that the "Rebalance to Asia" has failed.
I've spent the last decade writing and thinking about how to make the rebalance successful, so this is a painful realization.
A thread on my new piece for RSIS...
I've spent the last decade writing and thinking about how to make the rebalance successful, so this is a painful realization.
A thread on my new piece for RSIS...
September 11, 2025 at 10:54 AM
After 14 years, I think the time has come to acknowledge that the "Rebalance to Asia" has failed.
I've spent the last decade writing and thinking about how to make the rebalance successful, so this is a painful realization.
A thread on my new piece for RSIS...
I've spent the last decade writing and thinking about how to make the rebalance successful, so this is a painful realization.
A thread on my new piece for RSIS...
Is the "Indo-Pacific" dead? 🪦
Today the Pentagon issued a statement labeling the "Asia-Pacific" the priority theater.
Coming ahead of the National Defense Strategy release and amidst heightened tensions with India, this will definitely raise some eyebrows!
Today the Pentagon issued a statement labeling the "Asia-Pacific" the priority theater.
Coming ahead of the National Defense Strategy release and amidst heightened tensions with India, this will definitely raise some eyebrows!
September 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Is the "Indo-Pacific" dead? 🪦
Today the Pentagon issued a statement labeling the "Asia-Pacific" the priority theater.
Coming ahead of the National Defense Strategy release and amidst heightened tensions with India, this will definitely raise some eyebrows!
Today the Pentagon issued a statement labeling the "Asia-Pacific" the priority theater.
Coming ahead of the National Defense Strategy release and amidst heightened tensions with India, this will definitely raise some eyebrows!
Appreciate the thoughtful book review of Tides of Fortune this weekend in @financialtimes.com. Thanks @jamescrabtree.bsky.social!
www.ft.com/content/47d6...
www.ft.com/content/47d6...
China, Russia and the remaking of the Eurasian supercontinent
Three books offer a guide to shifting power in the region and what it means for the US and Europe
www.ft.com
May 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Appreciate the thoughtful book review of Tides of Fortune this weekend in @financialtimes.com. Thanks @jamescrabtree.bsky.social!
www.ft.com/content/47d6...
www.ft.com/content/47d6...
Today was a tough day.
Most mornings the last decade my day started with a phone call from Rich Armitage. But not this morning.
Rich was a friend, a mentor, and a business partner. He was my biggest supporter (and sometimes my toughest critic).
He was a giant. What a life.
Most mornings the last decade my day started with a phone call from Rich Armitage. But not this morning.
Rich was a friend, a mentor, and a business partner. He was my biggest supporter (and sometimes my toughest critic).
He was a giant. What a life.
April 14, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Today was a tough day.
Most mornings the last decade my day started with a phone call from Rich Armitage. But not this morning.
Rich was a friend, a mentor, and a business partner. He was my biggest supporter (and sometimes my toughest critic).
He was a giant. What a life.
Most mornings the last decade my day started with a phone call from Rich Armitage. But not this morning.
Rich was a friend, a mentor, and a business partner. He was my biggest supporter (and sometimes my toughest critic).
He was a giant. What a life.
Looking forward to joining this RAND event tomorrow on the US-Japan alliance - great lineup!
If you’re in Los Angeles (or want to stream), join us here:
www.japanhousela.com/events/rand-...
If you’re in Los Angeles (or want to stream), join us here:
www.japanhousela.com/events/rand-...
The U.S.-Japan Alliance Under New Management
This event brings experts together from the U.S. and Japan to explore the perspectives of both sides to contribute to public understanding of the key issues.
www.japanhousela.com
March 9, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Looking forward to joining this RAND event tomorrow on the US-Japan alliance - great lineup!
If you’re in Los Angeles (or want to stream), join us here:
www.japanhousela.com/events/rand-...
If you’re in Los Angeles (or want to stream), join us here:
www.japanhousela.com/events/rand-...
Delighted to join so many fantastic scholars as part of the Wilson China Fellowship for the coming year.
Thanks to the Wilson Center and Carnegie Corporation for bringing together this great group!
www.wilsoncenter.org/article/wils...
Thanks to the Wilson Center and Carnegie Corporation for bringing together this great group!
www.wilsoncenter.org/article/wils...
Wilson Center Announces 2025-26 Wilson China Fellowship Class
www.wilsoncenter.org
March 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Delighted to join so many fantastic scholars as part of the Wilson China Fellowship for the coming year.
Thanks to the Wilson Center and Carnegie Corporation for bringing together this great group!
www.wilsoncenter.org/article/wils...
Thanks to the Wilson Center and Carnegie Corporation for bringing together this great group!
www.wilsoncenter.org/article/wils...
Reposted by Zack Cooper
Really useful discussion of the core tensions to Trump's foreign policy strategy.
Prioritization or Retrenchment?
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
Trump’s Strategic Choice: Prioritization or Retrenchment
The decision to prioritize China or retreat to the Americas is the central tension for Trump's foreign policy team.
theamericanenterprise.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Really useful discussion of the core tensions to Trump's foreign policy strategy.
Prioritization or Retrenchment?
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
Trump’s Strategic Choice: Prioritization or Retrenchment
The decision to prioritize China or retreat to the Americas is the central tension for Trump's foreign policy team.
theamericanenterprise.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Prioritization or Retrenchment?
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
I think this is the central question for the US strategic community today.
Here’s my new piece trying to add some historical perspective to this the strategic debate. Read it here:
theamericanenterprise.com/the-trump-ad...
Today's the day: Tides of Fortune is officially released!
I'm so excited to get to share this book with the world after over a decade of work on this project.
We've got a video explainer coming soon, and a bunch of launch events, but for now, a few words of thanks...
I'm so excited to get to share this book with the world after over a decade of work on this project.
We've got a video explainer coming soon, and a bunch of launch events, but for now, a few words of thanks...
February 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Today's the day: Tides of Fortune is officially released!
I'm so excited to get to share this book with the world after over a decade of work on this project.
We've got a video explainer coming soon, and a bunch of launch events, but for now, a few words of thanks...
I'm so excited to get to share this book with the world after over a decade of work on this project.
We've got a video explainer coming soon, and a bunch of launch events, but for now, a few words of thanks...
Today in
@ForeignAffairs
I preview part of my book, which argues that China's turn toward power projection was both inevitable and badly timed (for Beijing).
Here's the short version... [1/5]
www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas...
@ForeignAffairs
I preview part of my book, which argues that China's turn toward power projection was both inevitable and badly timed (for Beijing).
Here's the short version... [1/5]
www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas...
China’s Self-Defeating Strategy
Power projection once made empires—now it can undo them.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Today in
@ForeignAffairs
I preview part of my book, which argues that China's turn toward power projection was both inevitable and badly timed (for Beijing).
Here's the short version... [1/5]
www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas...
@ForeignAffairs
I preview part of my book, which argues that China's turn toward power projection was both inevitable and badly timed (for Beijing).
Here's the short version... [1/5]
www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas...
One more week until Tides of Fortune is released!
Feels good to finally hold a copy in my hand. So now it is real, but whether it is spectacular will be up to others to judge :)
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
Feels good to finally hold a copy in my hand. So now it is real, but whether it is spectacular will be up to others to judge :)
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
February 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
One more week until Tides of Fortune is released!
Feels good to finally hold a copy in my hand. So now it is real, but whether it is spectacular will be up to others to judge :)
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
Feels good to finally hold a copy in my hand. So now it is real, but whether it is spectacular will be up to others to judge :)
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
What does a second Trump administration mean for Taiwan? My take here for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social:
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
Trump’s Predictable Unpredictability on Taiwan
Under Trump 2.0, Taiwan’s fate is uncertain.
thedispatch.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM
What does a second Trump administration mean for Taiwan? My take here for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social:
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
I frequently get asked how Donald Trump's personal interactions might shape US relationships in Asia over the next four years.
Here's my take for RSIS:
- Trump prizes "strong" (and conservative) leaders
- Alignment with the US is not a precondition
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
Here's my take for RSIS:
- Trump prizes "strong" (and conservative) leaders
- Alignment with the US is not a precondition
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
January 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I frequently get asked how Donald Trump's personal interactions might shape US relationships in Asia over the next four years.
Here's my take for RSIS:
- Trump prizes "strong" (and conservative) leaders
- Alignment with the US is not a precondition
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
Here's my take for RSIS:
- Trump prizes "strong" (and conservative) leaders
- Alignment with the US is not a precondition
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
Will the Trump team seek unipolarity or embrace multipolarity?
Primacists emphasize peace through strength, but prioritizers say US power has declined and we can’t be everywhere. Who will prevail in Trump 2.0?
I examine this in a short piece for RSIS:
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
Primacists emphasize peace through strength, but prioritizers say US power has declined and we can’t be everywhere. Who will prevail in Trump 2.0?
I examine this in a short piece for RSIS:
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
IP25001 | Can America Embrace Multipolarity?
SYNOPSIS Today’s world order can be described as “fragmented multipolarity” — which resembles unipolarity, bipolarity and multipolarity simultaneously — and the United States under incoming president ...
www.rsis.edu.sg
January 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Will the Trump team seek unipolarity or embrace multipolarity?
Primacists emphasize peace through strength, but prioritizers say US power has declined and we can’t be everywhere. Who will prevail in Trump 2.0?
I examine this in a short piece for RSIS:
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
Primacists emphasize peace through strength, but prioritizers say US power has declined and we can’t be everywhere. Who will prevail in Trump 2.0?
I examine this in a short piece for RSIS:
www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
My thoughts on Joe Biden and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad U.S. Steel decision…
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
www.aei.org
January 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM
My thoughts on Joe Biden and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad U.S. Steel decision…
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
Want to know what the Congress has planned for Asia in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act?
Noah Burke and I read all the Asia provisions so you don't have to. Here are 5 things to watch (plus a full list of all Asia-related sections).
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
Noah Burke and I read all the Asia provisions so you don't have to. Here are 5 things to watch (plus a full list of all Asia-related sections).
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
www.aei.org
December 16, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Want to know what the Congress has planned for Asia in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act?
Noah Burke and I read all the Asia provisions so you don't have to. Here are 5 things to watch (plus a full list of all Asia-related sections).
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
Noah Burke and I read all the Asia provisions so you don't have to. Here are 5 things to watch (plus a full list of all Asia-related sections).
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
Reposted by Zack Cooper
On AUSTRALIA IN THE WORLD, @zackcooper.bsky.social & I talk through Trump 2.0. What do we know about Trumpworld’s foreign policy at this point? What are the implications for Australia’s management of the alliance?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4To2...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4To2...
November 26, 2024 at 11:47 PM
On AUSTRALIA IN THE WORLD, @zackcooper.bsky.social & I talk through Trump 2.0. What do we know about Trumpworld’s foreign policy at this point? What are the implications for Australia’s management of the alliance?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4To2...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4To2...
Net Assessment just crossed the 1 million listens threshold.
I can only claim partial credit, but great job by my co-hosts Chris Preble and Melanie Marlowe.
Here's our latest:
warontherocks.com/2024/01/glob...
I can only claim partial credit, but great job by my co-hosts Chris Preble and Melanie Marlowe.
Here's our latest:
warontherocks.com/2024/01/glob...
Global Disorder and Houthi Strikes - War on the Rocks
Melanie, Chris, and Zack debate whether the international order is fraying and if so, what to do about it. They focus in particular on the recent Houthi
warontherocks.com
November 17, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Net Assessment just crossed the 1 million listens threshold.
I can only claim partial credit, but great job by my co-hosts Chris Preble and Melanie Marlowe.
Here's our latest:
warontherocks.com/2024/01/glob...
I can only claim partial credit, but great job by my co-hosts Chris Preble and Melanie Marlowe.
Here's our latest:
warontherocks.com/2024/01/glob...