Policy

A Split-Screen Moment For Trump As Impeachment Trial Begins

The president is speaking at an economic forum as the Senate begins to debate whether to remove him from office.

Policy

Meet the House Republicans Who Want to Rein In Trump On War

After the Soleimani strike, a working group of moderate Republicans and Democrats trying to “clarify” Congress’s war responsibilities hope they can build momentum.

Ideas

The Global Race for Big National-Security Ideas Is On

The United States faces genuinely new challenges—but tries to understand them using outmoded theories from a bygone era.

Policy

House Passes War Powers Resolution to Limit War With Iran

The measure is legally toothless, but could still have some political impact.

Threats

US, Iran Back Away From Conflict—For Now

The crisis appears to be cooling, at least for now, as U.S. lawmakers — and presumably the president — return their focus to the looming impeachment trial in the Senate.

Ideas

The Soleimani Strike Defied the US Constitution

If Congress fails to respond effectively, the president will be left with the unmitigated power to take the country to war on his own—anywhere, anytime, for any reason.

Policy

Best of 2019: Politics

A look back at some of the top political stories of the year.

Business

Boeing Has Relieved CEO Muilenburg. Now What?

The next CEO will have to right the 737 program, keep the tanker on track, and figure out why a recent rocket launch went awry.

Ideas

Russia Is Waging Asymmetric Warfare Against the US — And We’re Letting Them Win

We must do more to harden against these attacks on our economy, institutions, and the public.

Ideas

Under Trump, the US Has Become a Leading Source of Global Instability

The country is now a known unknown, increasing the risk of crises from the Middle East to East Asia to Central America, a new survey suggests.

Ideas

The FBI Needs to Be Reformed

The inspector general’s report identified real weaknesses, particularly with the policies and procedures that govern investigations of political campaigns.

Science & Tech

House Defense Bill Would Mandate Carbon Capture Program for the Military

A technology that many hope will prevent the worst effects of climate change could also produce fuel or other defense products.

Ideas

Democrats Retreat on Nuclear Policy

The 2020 authorization bill fails to check Trump’s worst impulses.

Policy

Defense Bill Would Create 'ROTC for Pentagon's Civilian Employees'

The college-based Defense Civilian Training Corps would aim to fill “critical skills gaps” in the department’s workforce.

Ideas

We Really Need to Fix the Federal Budget Process

With the 2020 defense policy bill close to done, here are some ideas for next year.

Ideas

If Ukraine Is Impeachable, What’s Afghanistan?

A misguided war that drags on inconclusively for more than 18 years is, I submit, a great crime.

Ideas

The ‘Russia Hoax’ Is a Hoax

A report by the FBI inspector general debunks the claims that the investigation into political interference by the Kremlin was a left-wing conspiracy to depose the president.

Threats

Who’s Really to Blame for the ‘Ukraine Did It’ Conspiracy Theory?

Judging on the basis of public evidence, the narrative about Ukraine was propagated first and foremost by Americans, not Russian disinformation puppeteers.

Ideas

The Pentagon Is Ignoring Small Innovators

That’s why I’m proposing a law to give promising small firms an advocate inside the Defense Department.

Policy

The Space Force Appears Cleared For Launch

Lawmakers hint that bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act will create a new military branch.