Policy
Hiring for the Foreign Service Is Getting an Overhaul
The nearly 100-year-old test will play less of a role in picking candidates.
Ideas
As Clouds Gather in Eastern Europe, Nuclear Diplomacy is More Important Than Ever
More must be done to keep tensions over Ukraine from deepening nuclear instability.
Threats
US’ Written Response To Russia ‘Isn’t About Concession,’ Blinken says
NATO and U.S. officials proposed ideas to cooperate with Moscow, an attempt to avert conflict over Ukraine.
Threats
Blinken Delivers Closing Argument In Rebuke of Russia
America’s top diplomat refuted Russia’s claims that it is acting in self-defense on the Ukrainian border.
Threats
Private Group Keeps Afghanistan Evacuations Flying Despite Ground Halt
Group leader: “There are Americans saying, ‘Help me, help me, help me.’ And the State Department is saying, ‘Fill out your form in triplicate.’”
Policy
Austin Rejects ‘Red Lines’ for Taiwan, Ukraine
As crises loom, defense secretary reveals a bit of his diplomacy-first thinking.
Ideas
Diplomacy Is the Key to Reducing US Forces in the Mideast
The Pacific pivot need not reduce Middle East security—if the U.S. can get its partners on board.
Threats
China Ambassador Nominee ‘Concerned’ By Beijing’s Nuke Buildup
In his confirmation hearing, Nicholas Burns also talked about more American help for Taiwan and NATO’s views on China.
Policy
30 State Department Nominees, Including NATO Ambassador, Advance To Full Senate
Just two Biden ambassadors have been confirmed so far.
Ideas
Mind the ‘Middle Powers’ Gap
While pivoting from terrorism to great powers, the U.S. should pay far more attention those countries caught in the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism.
Ideas
Biden’s Best Chance to Get Back on Course with Europe
The president should send his best team to NATO and EU talks, find common ground on China, and repair the damage done by the AUKUS submarine deal.
Policy
Austin, Milley Say White House Was Advised to Keep US Troops in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan evacuation that resulted was “a logistical success but a strategic failure,” Milley said.
Ideas
Are Directed-Energy Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?
As an aerospace engineer and former Vice Chair of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, I can attest to the effectiveness of such weapons.
Policy
A Rahm Emanuel is Exactly What Japan Wants, Asia Scholars Say
What matters in American politics is not what matters to Tokyo.
Policy
Congress’ Afghanistan Oversight Marred By Politics
Lawmakers overwhelmingly postured instead of asking America’s top diplomat real questions.
Threats
State Dept. Working ‘at the Highest Levels’ to Clear Mazar-i-Sharif Charter Aircraft
One problem: all the U.S. screeners have left Afghanistan.
Threats
The Kabul Airlift in 5 Charts
The largest emergency airlift ever handled by the U.S. military started slowly and built to a torrent.
Threats
No US Military Dogs Were Left Behind in Afghanistan, DOD Says
Pentagon officials say the caged dogs in viral photos aren’t military working dogs, all of which were evacuated.
Policy
The Future of U.S.-Taliban Relations
Blinken says cooperation is possible, but only if Taliban acts appropriately.
Policy
US Helicopters Rescued 169 Americans Outside Airport; More Ops Could Follow
Biden “will mobilize every resource necessary” to save more, but U.S. has yet to test Taliban checkpoints. Meanwhile, fuel-strained air operations resume.
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