Policy
Trump Attacks McRaven Because Everything's Political
In an interview on Fox News, the president dismissed William McRaven as a Hillary Clinton ‘fan’ and asked why it took so long to get the al-Qaeda leader.
Ideas
Mike Pence and The Return of Faith-Based Foreign Policy
In Asia, Trump's vice president delivered a Christian message all on his own.
Ideas
On China, the Trump Administration Needs to Weave Its Threads into a Narrative
The White House does not know how to tell its story, much less sell it.
Policy
Trump’s Visit Highlights Threads of Increasing Global Disorder
France’s Macron, who had wooed the new U.S. president, now decries “the selfishness of countries that regard only their own interests.
Ideas
Nukes, the New Congress, and the Lost Art of Political Compromise
In the past, arms controllers and deterrence boosters compromised on deals that ultimately reduced nuclear dangers. No more.
Ideas
Trump's Wrong. Not All War Veterans are 'Sick'
It's important we debunk false narratives about veterans who struggle with mental health injuries.
Ideas
Lower House Poised to Take Upper Hand on National Security
Where are Congress’ new foreign-policy leaders? Look to the House's recently elected veterans and natsec pros.
Ideas
China Is Beating the US in the Rare-Earths Game
It’s time for the administration to use its powers to preserve America’s access to vital defense materials.
Ideas
Can Trump and Putin Save Nuclear Arms Control In Paris?
Their Nov. 11 meeting might just be their last chance.
Ideas
China Is No Reason to Abandon the INF
Putting U.S. ground-launched intermediate-range missiles in the Pacific would be tactically ineffective and strategically destabilizing.
Ideas
In the Gulf, Repression and Discontent Are Rising as US Influence Wanes
After the Arab Spring, rulers are cracking down harder in the absence of US officials to curb their worst impulses.
Ideas
What Happens When the US Starts to ‘Defend Forward’ in Cyberspace?
The author of DoD’s 2015 cyber strategy takes a look at the 2018 version.
Ideas
US Diplomatic Vacancies Are Straining Alliances
Almost half the top jobs in the State Department are empty. In 18 countries, the White House has yet to designate a U.S. ambassador. That includes Australia, a close ally to America that is beginning to look to China instead.
Ideas
John Bolton Keeps Citing This 2002 Pact as an Arms-Control Model. It’s Really Not.
The Treaty of Moscow was ill-defined, unverifiable — and not something that Russia would sign today.
Ideas
A New Kind of Populism is Threatening Southeast Asia
The region’s fast-growing but fragile democracies have been susceptible to strongmen and autocratic-leaning populists in recent years, propelled by concerns over inequality, crime, and dysfunctional governments.
Ideas
The Lesson of Saruman
Tolkien has a warning to erstwhile #NeverTrumpers who are now choosing to ally with power rather than hold to their values.
Ideas
Why Haven’t Terrorists Hit the US with a Devastating Cyber Attack?
National-security experts have been warning about it for 15 years. There are a few theories.
Ideas
CyberCom Is Targeting Russia’s Election Meddlers — and Changing How Governments Use Cyber
Although anonymity is generally prized for successful cyber operations, it might not be ideal in all cases, especially if the United States wants to deter an Russia spreading disinformation.
Ideas