Ideas

The Military Won’t Save Us – and You Shouldn’t Want Them To

It’s deeply irresponsible, not to mention organizationally nonsensical, to suggest that Gen. Milley should evict an election-losing Trump from the White House.

Ideas

Let the Pride Flag Fly

Secretary Esper ’s clever rule that bans the Confederate flag needs a fix. Here’s how he can bring real equality to the Defense Department.

Ideas

“. . . All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic”: An Open Letter to Gen. Milley

If the commander in chief attempts to ignore the election’s results, you will face a choice.

Threats

Top DOD Spox: No Conclusions Yet On Cause Of Beirut Explosion

Trump has claimed without evidence that the explosion might have been an “attack.”

Ideas

Why Would Biden Pick Susan Rice?

His ticket doesn’t need another foreign-policy expert — nor another easy Obama-era target.

Policy

Trump: US To Withdraw 4K Troops From Afghanistan By Election

“It’s already planned,” the president said in an interview with Axios.

Policy

Trump Sidesteps Congress To Install Controversial Pentagon Nominee

A legal loophole may allow Tata to take the top job without Senate confirmation at all.

Policy

GOP Senators Stall Tata Nomination for Top Pentagon Post

After Islamophobic remarks, Trump’s controversial pick to be Defense Department’s policy chief is in troubled waters.

Ideas

Will Trump ‘Wag the Dog’ to Win Reelection?

Americans are worried, but history shows the popular belief is wrong.

Ideas

We Need a Better China Policy in the Middle East

With allies and direct lines to Beijing, Washington must do more to keep China’s presence in the region from becoming a threat.

Policy

National Guard Commander To Testify ‘Excessive Force’ Used on White House Protesters

Officer on the scene saw spent tear gas canisters, contradicting key details of Attorney General Barr’s account of the controversial night.

Ideas

Trump Should Teach Erdogan a Lesson in Law, Not Corruption

The president offered to help Turkey’s strongman beat U.S. courts, John Bolton has revealed. It only helps Iran.

Policy

Trump Eases Restrictions On Armed Drone Sales Abroad

US says changes needed to compete with China, but critics say it may only alienate allies.

Ideas

Trump’s All-Stick, No-Carrot Approach Has Brought Two US Adversaries Together

The blooming China-Iran bilateral relationship serve as a warning to U.S. policymakers.

Policy

Trump Sending ‘Surge’ of Federal Forces Into Chicago; More Cities to Come

Attorney General Barr said Operation Legend would be different than last week’s crackdown on protesters in Oregon.

Threats

No Orders To Reduce Troops in South Korea Yet, Esper Says

With traditional U.S. deployments still under review, the defense secretary announced he hopes to visit China by year’s end.

Ideas

Tomorrow's Presidential Daily Briefing, By a Former PDB Writer

What must the president's morning threat assessments look like these days?

Ideas

Force Won’t Much Slow Iranian Nuclear Progress, But Something Else Can

The historical record shows that diplomacy can do what force alone has not.