Ideas

As the Rich Get Richer, the Ambassadors Get Worse

Gordon Sondland embodies an age-old problem—one that the flood of donor money into American politics is only exacerbating.

Ideas

Foreign Policy Isn't Just Up To Trump

The president’s defenders argue that U.S. foreign policy is whatever he says it is. Trouble is, that’s not what the Constitution says.

Ideas

America Hasn’t Always Supported Ukraine Like This

For a policy that’s purportedly a pillar of the decades-old international order, military aid to Ukraine is pretty new.

Policy

Trump Officials Meet With Libyan Politician Aligned With Opposition ‘Strongman’ In Potential Policy Shift

US support for the UN-recognized Libyan government is in question after a series of quiet meetings with an enterprising presidential hopeful.

Ideas

'Some of You on this Committee Appear to Believe' That Russia Didn't Meddle in 2016

In testimony, a former senior director for European and Russian affairs on Trump's National Security Council tells lawmakers to stop spreading Moscow's lies.

Ideas

What’s Driving Apolitical Diplomats to Get Political

Some former State Department officials are so concerned by Trump’s treatment of America's allies and diplomatic corps that they have begun to advise 2020 Democrats.

Ideas

Pompeo Can’t Escape

The secretary of state has been trying to distance himself from the impeachment hearings, but today’s explosive testimony put him at center stage.

Ideas

Ukraine Is Taking a Beating in the Impeachment Hearings

Each new revelation about U.S. attempts to manipulate Kyiv weakens Zelensky ahead of his December meeting with Putin.

Policy

Volker: I Didn’t Realize White House Was Asking for Biden Dirt

In Tuesday testimony, the special envoy to Ukraine said he was not part of the Giuliani-Perry-Sondland backchannel.

Ideas

Democrats Should Debate Arms Policy, Not Just Impeachment

With Congress and the president at odds over Saudi exports and other questions, it’s time to press the candidates about their views.

Ideas

Misguided Immigration Policies Are Endangering America's AI Edge

Green card limits haven’t budged in decades, while new policies make it harder, costlier, and more uncertain for the world’s talent to come to the United States.

Ideas

Trump Wants His Fighters Unbound by the Laws of War. That's Not Going to Help Us

One reason more than 80 countries allied to fight ISIS is that they flagrantly ignored these laws. Now we do too.

Ideas

Trump's War-Crime Pardons Undermine the Military

Once again, our president has used the military as a political tool to its detriment as an institution.

Ideas

What Is an Oligarch?

And why it matters for Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Ideas

What America’s Allies Really Think About Trump’s Syria Decision

During a few wild weeks in October, U.S. allies watched as their own worst nightmare befell America’s Kurdish partners in Syria. Here’s what that means for America’s standing in the world.

Policy

Esper, Milley Push South Korea to Pay More for US Troop Protection

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo declined to confirm reports that Trump is asking for a 400-percent hike.

Ideas

Erdogan Blasts US at White House. Was That Good for NATO?

Critics howled at Trump’s invitation to the Turkish autocrat. Others clench their teeth and say it’s paramount to keep Ankara in the anti-Russian alliance.

Ideas

Trump's Bullying of Ukraine Set Off Alarms Throughout the US Government

The first day of impeachment hearings revealed repeated threats to resign and repeated referrals to lawyers of possible violations of U.S. law by U.S. officials.

Policy

Erdoğan Defies Trump. So Why Do They Get Along?

The two have undeniable personal chemistry, but their countries are drifting apart.

Ideas

Trump's Real Offense Was Outsourcing American Diplomacy

Allowing Rudy Giuliani to handle U.S. diplomacy was a constitutional violation—one whose gravity Republicans might see if they weren’t so busy making excuses for the president.