The PCFR Dispatch

Excerpt from Chapter 4 – “Reversed Expectations: Shifting U.S. Perceptions of China” – of Raising the Drawbridge: U.S. Investment Screening Amid the Rise of China (Palgrave Macmillan, 2026) by Dr. Lily McElwee.

This article examines the growing uncertainty surrounding Liberia’s ongoing political and security challenges, focusing on how competing narratives, institutional fragility, and external pressures shape perceptions of stability. It highlights the tension between progress since the civil war and the unresolved issues that continue to complicate Liberia’s path forward.

The U.S. has significantly reduced its international affairs budget-- which now includes its foreign aid commitments. Nearly 90% of USAID contracts were terminated, and thousands of personnel recalled before the promised foreign policy review had even concluded. The question is no longer whether aid needed reform. It’s whether we replaced it with anything at all.

This article examines Costa Rica’s emergence as a regional model for democratic stability, environmental stewardship, and human development. It highlights how the country’s long-standing commitment to institutions, education, and sustainability has positioned it as a rising beacon in a volatile global landscape.

This article explores the Tata Group’s long-standing role in advancing democratic values through business practices rooted in ethics, social responsibility, and nation-building. It highlights how the conglomerate’s influence extends beyond industry, shaping civic life and contributing to India’s broader democratic and economic development.

This article offers a candid discussion on Ethiopia’s evolving political and security landscape, unpacking the complexities behind ongoing reforms, internal tensions, and regional dynamics. It highlights the challenges of state-building in a diverse and rapidly changing environment, while considering what stability and progress may realistically look like moving forward.

This brief examines South Africa’s role within BRICS, highlighting how its participation reflects both opportunity and constraint. It considers the country’s efforts to balance domestic economic pressures with its position in a shifting global order shaped by rising multipolar institutions and evolving geopolitical alignments.

This brief examines the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications for global economies, security, and governance. It explores how the AI revolution is reshaping industries, accelerating technological competition among major powers, and raising urgent questions about regulation, ethics, and workforce disruption.

This expert perspective provides a concise historical overview of key developments in Pakistan and the broader region that have shaped today’s global landscape. It traces major political and economic shifts over time, offering context for understanding how past decisions continue to influence contemporary international relations and policy challenges involving Pakistan.

This article examines how U.S. national power should be understood and adapted in a rapidly changing global environment. It explores the balance between military, economic, diplomatic, and technological tools, and considers how shifting geopolitical realities are reshaping what effective American power projection looks like in practice.

This brief explores the deep and evolving relationship between the United States, Mexico, and Arizona, highlighting how trade, migration, security, and cross-border cooperation shape the region. It examines Arizona’s unique position as a gateway state and the practical realities of interdependence that define this trilateral dynamic.

This article examines the strong and evolving partnership between Canada and the United States, highlighting how shared geography, integrated economies, and aligned security interests underpin one of the world’s most stable bilateral relationships. It also considers areas of cooperation and occasional friction as both countries navigate changing global economic and geopolitical pressures.