Policy
Stunts, Stagecraft and National Security in Trump’s State of the Union
Sounding like a campaign kick-off, the president leaned into one of his as-yet unfulfilled promises from the 2016 election: ending America’s “endless wars.”
Ideas
Trump's Ban on Nigerian Immigrants Will Hurt His Defense Strategy
Expanding immigration bans while seeking closer economic ties with Africa to counter Russian and Chinese influence indicates policy incoherence.
Threats
The Iraq War Has Cost the US Nearly $2 Trillion
The figure includes $838 billion in “emergency” and “overseas contingency operation” funding and $59 billion spent by the State Department and USAID on Iraq and Syria.
Ideas
Under Trump, US Is Less Ready for Infectious Disease Outbreaks Like Coronavirus
The administration has cut CDC funding and disbanded the White House's own global health security team.
Ideas
Iraq Is the One War Zone Trump Doesn’t Want to Leave
The president’s resistance to withdrawing from the country boils down to three of his main enemies: ISIS, Iran, and Obama.
Ideas
Trump’s Iran Strategy Isn’t Working as Well as He Thinks
The killing of Qassem Soleimani upended expectations in useful ways, but the U.S. isn’t in a position to capitalize on the turmoil.
Ideas
ISIS Is No Reason to Stay in Iraq
Don’t take the wrong conclusion from recent news about the group’s “resurgence.”
Ideas
Stop the ‘Blood Coal’ That Funds Russia’s Occupation of Ukraine
Moscow is selling Ukrainian coal to subsidize its military operations. Western sanctions must end that.
Ideas
Britain and America Have a China Problem
London’s and Washington’s differing assessments of Beijing’s rise point to deeper issues between the two countries.
Threats
Now It's 64. Wounded Troop Tally from Iran Missile Strike Rises Again
Trump “understands the nature” of brain injuries, says Defense Secretary Esper after the president downplayed Americans’ wounds as not “serious.”
Ideas
To End America’s War in Afghanistan, US Troops Can’t Leave Yet
Walking away out of frustration — especially during peace talks — is as empty a strategy as doubling down out of optimism.
Policy
DOD Is Punishing Whistleblowers More Often and with Impunity, IG Says
Lawmakers and advocates say Trump's attacks on the whistleblower that kicked off his impeachment will do long-lasting harm.
Ideas
We Can End Our Endless Wars
America should end its military involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and bring our troops home.
Ideas
The Case for Repealing, and Not Replacing, the Iraq War Authorization
It should be a top priority for Congress to correct its historic blunder of passing the buck when it comes to war and peace.
Ideas
America Has Come Full Circle in the Middle East
“We are opening a Pandora’s Box,” Dwight Eisenhower warned when he ordered the first U.S. combat mission in the region. Little did he know how right he would be.
Ideas
To Prove Trump’s Bad Faith, Don’t Argue Policy. Show He Subverted the Process.
On Ukraine, the president dodged processes designed to ensure that U.S. foreign policy serves the public interest.
Threats
As Toll Mounts, Trump Downplays Injuries Suffered in Iranian Attack
The president's dismissive statements about the brain trauma suffered by U.S. troops at Al Assad may reflect a considered attempt to de-escalate – or not.
Ideas
Who Gets to Tell the Story of the Afghanistan War?
The Washington Post’s ‘Afghanistan Papers’ is the latest contribution to a growing argument over whether the conflict — or any of the ‘forever wars’ — was worth the cost.
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.
Ideas