Ideas

What Happens When Intelligence Agencies Lose Faith in the President?

If bureaucrats restrict the information they share with political leaders, the damage could prove deep and lasting.

Policy

White House Vows to Audit the Pentagon, Which Would Be a First

The goal is audacious enough, but promises of a record spending increase makes it even more complicated.

Ideas

The Dangers of Presidential Indiscretions

President Trump had the legal right to declassify information—but by sharing sensitive intelligence with the Russians, he may have jeopardized national security.

Ideas

Foreign Leaders Have Realized Trump Is a Pushover

The president’s reported disclosure of classified information to Russia is only the latest example of the self-proclaimed great negotiator conceding to officials from overseas everything they want.

Ideas

Trump's Disclosures Are Another Win for Russia

Putin has long used the pretext of counterterrorism cooperation to get what he wants from the West. It just paid off again.

Ideas

The Terrible Cost of Trump's Disclosures

The consequences of the president’s reported divulgence of top-secret codeword information to the Russians are only beginning.

Policy

Gulf Leaders Still Love Trump

The UAE’s crown prince visits Washington today, pleased with the U.S. president’s embrace of Egypt’s al-Sisi and upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia.

Ideas

Trump’s Afghanistan Reset Needs a Soft-Power Mission, Too

Reconciliation and peace-building can only occur if there is an open dialogue and people are working towards a shared, communal interest.

Ideas

The Fatal Flaw in Trump's ISIS Plan

Can he keep both the Turks and the Kurds on his side?

Ideas

Congress, the President, and the Dwindling Oversight of War

Lawmakers’ tacit approval of modern military actions encourages more boundary-stretching.

Policy

Trump Releases Long-Delayed Cyber Order

The order was delayed so security and modernization programs can work in tandem, an official said.

Policy

Spy Chief Searching for Cuts Across Entire US Intelligence Community

Trump's new intelligence chief, Dan Coats, says he’s already moving on GOP lawmakers’ request to streamline all 17 agencies, including his own ODNI.

Science & Tech

Trump Wants ‘Goddamned Steam,’ Not Digital Catapults on Aircraft Carriers

The president's criticism of the USS Ford's EMALS 'blindsided' Navy officials.

Ideas

So Trump Is Arming Kurds...Then What?

Trump’s latest decision orders more US military intervention than Obama wanted. The more Americans and allies fight this war, the more they deserve a plan for the peace.

Ideas

Four Reasons Why Talking to North Korea Would Be Smart Strategy

Trump is right to try and negotiate — if his administration does it the right way.

Policy

Why Putin Wants a Face-to-Face Meeting with Trump

Even after a third phone call in as many months between the two leaders, the ‘bromance’ has yet to materialize.

Ideas

Yemen Could Be the Key to Solving the Iran Problem

A proposal to transfer control of a Red Sea port could have wide-ranging effects on regional tension.

Ideas

Who Is In Charge of US National Security?

The administration’s flip-flopping on North Korea is only the latest incident to raise this question.

Ideas

How Trump Could Get China's Help on North Korea

Beijing is not going to pressure Pyongyang just because he tells them to.