Ideas
Team of Sycophants
Tillerson’s dismissal leaves the White House more than ever the conniving and dishonest court of an erratic, ill-informed, and willful monarch.
Ideas
Why Did Trump Fire Tillerson Now?
The specific timing of the move—following the secretary of state’s split from the president to condemn a Russian attack in the U.K.—raises questions about its motive.
Ideas
The US Navy Should Start Weaning its Reactors off Bomb-Grade Uranium
Most of the world's reactors use low-enriched uranium. There are at least three good reasons the U.S. fleet should as well.
Ideas
Putin Says Russia’s New Weapons Can’t Be Beat. With AI and Robotics, They Can.
Instead of single interceptors rising to meet an enemy missile, think about swarms of sub-launched UAVs armed with explosives, sensors, and brains.
Ideas
How Postponing a Wargame Helped Create a Diplomatic Opening
Delaying Foal Eagle 2018 made an underappreciated contribution toward the first meeting of U.S. and North Korean heads of state.
Ideas
The Administration Must Explain Its Use-of-Force Theories. Today.
That's not just a good idea; it's the law. A report to Congress is due on Monday.
Ideas
A Trump-Kim Summit: 'Why the Hell Not?'
Direct talks between America’s and North Korea’s heads of state have never been tried, and nothing else has worked.
Ideas
Foreign Governments Are Funneling Money into Trump's Hotels. We Still Don't Know How Much.
The Trump Organization’s response to the problem of foreign governments trying to curry favor with the president is an empty gesture.
Ideas
Trump Risks Trading Away the US-South Korean Alliance
Kim Jong Un is offering a deal at a price that could be way too high—and that the president could easily accept.
Ideas
What's There to Talk About With North Korea?
Kim Jong Un wants to talk to Trump and pause nuclear and missile tests—but the line between diplomacy and brinkmanship isn't that simple.
Ideas
Let the Korean Breakthrough Run Its Course
The new round of talks can only succeed if the Trump administration resists its own worst impulses.
Ideas
African Union Bugged by China: Cyber Espionage as Evidence of Strategic Shifts
A number of African leaders have turned to Chinese investment as a viable alternative to Western development aid. The recent allegations of Chinese cyberespionage of the African Union's headquarters might prompt them to reconsider.
Ideas
Stand Up for the Constitution: Stop Unauthorized Involvement in Yemen's Civil War
The War Powers Act requires a Senate vote. Lawmakers should not duck their responsibility.
Ideas
Why ‘Different Spanks for Different Ranks’ Are Often Justified
It can be frustrating when generals and admirals appear to skate on misconduct charges, but lawmakers should be wary of trying to “fix it.”
Ideas
Don’t Let Trump Turn Iran into North Korea
Unless Congress, Europe, and other parties step up to protect the West’s nuclear deal with Iran, it will collapse, unshackling Tehran’s nuclear efforts.
Ideas
Expect North Korea to Add Nuclear Coercion to Its Provocation Playbook
Kim's nuclear arsenal is built to "deter and coerce." We're probably going to find out soon what forms the latter will take.
Ideas
Russia's Favorite Syrian Warlord
Brigadier General Suheil al-Hassan has won over Putin and played a central role in the assault on eastern Ghouta.
Ideas
Talk About Extremists, But Don't Politicize the Debate
Singer's call to focus on right-wing extremists is dangerous to a profession that needs to remain above partisan politics.
Ideas
Whatever Happened to Trump's Counterterrorism Strategy?
His approach borrows from his predecessors’, while exacerbating their worst, most counterproductive tendencies.
Ideas