Ideas
Don’t Peg Troop Withdrawals to the Political Calendar
Reductions in the U.S. presence should be tied to conditions on the ground in Afghanistan.
Ideas
The INF Treaty Lapses Tomorrow. Trump & Putin Should Save It
Stability will ebb and danger rise if the U.S. and Russia allow the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty to lapse on Aug. 2.
Policy
One Theme Unites 2020 Dems: Rein in President’s War Powers
Many voted to repeal the old AUMFs; Buttigieg proposes a 3-year sunset.
Ideas
How Long Can Trump Keep Ignoring Kim’s Missile Tests?
It’s becoming harder for the president to overlook the fact that the man with whom he claims to have fantastic chemistry is literally going ballistic.
Ideas
The Missing Debate about Afghanistan
The president’s talk about “wiping” the country “off the face of the earth” highlights the need for a serious talk about U.S. goals and strategy.
Ideas
The Bill for ‘America First’ Is Coming Due
Two of America’s closest treaty allies have announced military efforts explicitly designed to exclude the United States.
Policy
Dan Coats Spoke Truth to Trump. Now He’s Out.
The director of national intelligence won plaudits for laying out the intelligence community’s assessments on issues ranging from Iran to Russia.
Ideas
About that Counter-Iran Coalition...
The Trump administration called for help, but Washington's friends have shrugged and calculated it is safer to stay away from "maximum pressure." There is a better way.
Ideas
If New START Dies, These Questions Will Need Answers
There’s little public indication that the Trump administration is thinking about several things that will happen if the last strategic arms agreement is allowed to expire.
Policy
Graham: I Told Turkey They Can Avoid Sanctions If They Don’t Activate Russian Radar
Sen. Lindsay Graham says President Trump asked him to make the call.
Business
Has Lockheed Replaced Boeing as Trump’s Favorite Defense Firm?
The U.S. president and Lockheed’s CEO have been cheering each other on, while Boeing's chief has kept a lower profile.
Threats
Esper Confirmed As Defense Secretary, Despite Opposition from Some 2020 Dems
Tuesday's 90-8 vote ends the longest period in history that the Defense Department has gone without a confirmed leader.
Ideas
Iran Is Acting Like the International Villain of Trump’s Prophecy
Any number of relatively mundane scenarios now have the potential to escalate U.S.-Iran tensions—from a fire at a militia base to the seizure of an oil tanker to the signal-jamming of a drone.
Ideas
Trump Says US Troops Shouldn’t Be ‘Policemen’ in Afghanistan. So Why Are They There?
In a puzzling Oval Office press conference, the commander-in-chief throws his purported strategy into doubt.
Threats
‘Looking to Break Status Quo,’ Iran Seizes UK Tanker
Pentagon intel chief says Tehran wants to escape U.S. pressure, but not by going to war.
Policy
After Trump Weighs In on JEDI, GOP Lawmakers Say Keep Out of It
Four members of the House Armed Services Committee asked Trump to let the Pentagon award its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract without delay.
Ideas
Trump Is Running Out of Time to Denuclearize North Korea
So what does he have time to accomplish?
Ideas
Where Can the US and Turkey Go From Here?
The battle to save the relationship will not be an easy one, but we have not lost it just yet.
Policy
NATO Secretary General: Alliance, Turkey Still Friends Despite S-400
“I’m not underestimating the difficulty related to the S-400, but I’m saying that Turkey as a NATO member is much more than S-400,” Jens Stoltenberg said.
Business