Ideas
Democrats Retreat on Nuclear Policy
The 2020 authorization bill fails to check Trump’s worst impulses.
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.
Science & Tech
Amazon Says Pentagon Got Almost Everything Wrong in JEDI Evaluation
Company officials say Trump's beef with CEO Jeff Bezos led to “substantial and pervasive errors.”
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.
Policy
The Space Force Appears Cleared For Launch
Lawmakers hint that bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act will create a new military branch.
Ideas
A New Nuclear Deal? Start with New START
Russia is ready to extend this critical treaty, but Trump isn’t taking “yes” for an answer.
Ideas
GOP Lawmakers Used to Oppose Trump's Embrace of Russia. No More.
High-ranking Republicans are now defending the president with debunked claims that national security experts say play right into Putin's hands.
Ideas
Trump Just Ghosted NATO, But Here’s What He Said That Matters
The president was on a roll until he surrendered a final chance to lay out his concerns and priorities.
Ideas
NATO’s Newest Threat Is Coming From Inside the House
Worry less about the gaps between NATO leaders, and more about the gap between those leaders and the national security community.
Policy
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Ankara?
The question is not: “Can we live with a rogue Turkey?” but: “Do we have a choice?” said one U.S. official.
Ideas
America's Rivalry With China Is Nothing Like the Cold War
In today’s circumstances, Cold War–era policies are not only unnecessary, but likely to catalyze a destructive spiral of heightening tensions that would make the world a more dangerous place.
Ideas
The Surest Way to Lose to China Is to Disparage Expertise
In this new era of great power competition, we are not investing enough in area specialists.
Ideas
Declaring Mexican Drug Cartels ‘Terrorists’ Is a Bad Old Idea
Trump and Obama policymakers rejected it because it brings no new tools to bear — and quite a few drawbacks.
Ideas
The War-Crimes President
When violence is directed at those Trump’s supporters hate and fear, they see such excesses not as crimes but as virtues.
Threats
How North Korea Soured on Donald Trump
Kim Jong Un only wanted to engage with the president. Now he’s turning on him.
Ideas
How Trump Turned the Military Against Itself
The president’s repeated interference in a Navy SEAL’s case shows that he cares about only one kind of military discipline: obedience to Trump.
Ideas