Policy
Can James Mattis Protect Trump From Hubris?
The president-elect and the risks of overconfidence.
Ideas
SPECIAL REPORT: The Military Loves the Obama Doctrine. Can It Survive Trump?
Commanders say they’re already fighting ISIS the right way: “by, with, and through” local forces.
Policy
Why Is Obama Expanding Surveillance Powers Right Before He Leaves Office?
It could be to prevent Trump from extending them even more.
Policy
Trump Has Considerable Authority to Revamp the Intelligence Community
But the the 2004 law that created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence creates some hurdles as well.
Ideas
Still Fighting, US Troops from Syria to Afghanistan Await Trump Orders
Special operators move ahead with plans for the press to Raqqa, but uncertainty clouds US war plans.
Policy
How Putin is Using Populist Movements Against the West
It’s time to decide what goals should guide American foreign policy in the 21st century, and what allies are needed to advance them.
Policy
Intelligence Chief Sets High Expectations For Next Week’s Hacking Report
James Clapper promises more details of Russian influence operations aimed at U.S. election.
Ideas
As Trump's Foreign Policy Emerges, Watch His Temperament in Washington
By what Trump has shown, even where there's policy continuity the world will see Washington as more erratic and less reliable.
Science & Tech
Is This the Accidental Mastermind in the DNC Hack?
The White House’s new list of sanctioned Russians includes a young Moscow-based hacker, much to her professed surprise.
Policy
Tracking Trump’s National-Security Conflicts of Interest
A global business empire raises the question: is the president’s foreign policy serving America’s interests or his own?
Ideas
Trump’s Bid to Remove NATO Official Could Easily Backfire on the US
A strong alliance needs strong staff, like Rose Gottemoeller.
Ideas
Trump, Taiwan, and The Fantasy of a Phone Call
China will fight back. Taiwan’s backers should never forget that.
Policy
The Senate Will Investigate Russian Interference in the US Election
With Mitch McConnell’s backing, a bipartisan inquiry could bring the first confrontation between Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
Policy
Trump Republicans See Putin's Russia As a New Front Line Against Islam
Conservatives are divided on whether Putin’s Russia is a totalitarian enemy or a defender of the Christian West.
Policy
Five Questions to Help You Understand That Russians Hacked the US Election
As the culpability of Putin’s government becomes more clear, a host of related issues remain unresolved.
Policy
Trump May Be on Collision Course with Congress over Russian Hacking
Lawmakers call Russian meddling in the election a threat to democracy; Trump says it never happened.
Policy
What You Don’t Know About Gen. John Kelly
The four-star boy from Boston brings to DHS the grief of losing friends to America’s drug epidemic and a son to the war on terrorism.
Policy
Rand Paul Is Already Planning to Disrupt Trump’s Foreign Policy
Some see the president-elect’s inexperience as an open door for the Kentucky senator and other members of Congress to reassert themselves against more intervention abroad.
Policy
Littoral Combat Ship, at a Crossroads
With the ship’s purchase plans in doubt, detractors exchange fire with Navy supporters at contentious Senate hearing.
Ideas