Ideas
Trump Was Right to Walk Away — If He's Telling the Truth
North Korea disputes his account, but either way they must reset and try again, soon.
Ideas
After Raising the Stakes for North Korea Summit, Trump Walks Away
It seemed history was about to be made. Then the second meeting between the U.S. and North Korean leaders concluded abruptly.
Ideas
I Ran the Air War Over Gaddafi. Here's Why The US Should Stop Backing the Yemen War
One hopes Jared Kushner said it in Saudi Arabia, but Congress should curtail the Pentagon’s participation in this war.
Ideas
The Slender Path Back to the Iran Nuke Deal — and Away from War
U.S. policymakers outside the administration must speak up about the need to rejoin the JCPOA, and so pave the way for Trump's successor to do so.
Threats
This ISIS Citizenship Case Could Set a Terrifying Precedent
An Alabama college student who joined ISIS in Syria wants to come home and take responsibility for her actions. The U.S. government says she was never a citizen—and can’t enter the country.
Threats
What to Watch as Trump-Kim II Gets Underway
Let's review how we got here — and why some observers say the stakes are even higher this time around.
Ideas
Why Withdrawing from Syria and Afghanistan Won’t Save Much Money
The president’s desired troop drawdowns aren’t even penny-wise, and they’re probably pound-foolish.
Ideas
The Trump-Kim Summit Is Diplomacy. Democrats Should Support It.
Trump has wisely shifted tactics. Democrats should not let politics undermine reasonable diplomacy.
Policy
The Impossible Job of Speaking Truth to Trump
How do you offer intelligence to a president who’s not interested—and keep your job?
Threats
Pentagon Wins a Reprieve with Trump Approval of ‘Residual’ Forces in Syria
General Dunford is “confident” U.S. allies will now agree to stay, but for how long remains undetermined.
Ideas
Rethink 2%: NATO ‘Defense Spending’ Should Favor Cyber
Today, a dollar or euro spent on network security goes farther than one spent on conventional arms.
Policy
Trump Officially Directs Pentagon to Create Space Force, Within Air Force
If Congress approves, Space Force would exist like the Marine Corps within the Navy Department.
Ideas
The Moment the Transatlantic Charade Ended
At the Munich Security Conference, Europe and the Trump administration stopped pretending to respect each other.
Policy
The Senate’s Russia Probe Is Facing a Reckoning
Meanwhile, the Democratic-led House committee is gearing up for a reinvigorated inquiry.
Policy
The Trump Administration Can’t Get a United Front Against Iran
But the Warsaw conference did bring together Gulf Arabs and Israel against their common enemy.
Ideas
Trump’s Emergency Declaration is Going to Run into Four Hurdles
They fall into the broad buckets of legal, legislative, political, and constitutional issues.
Policy
Trump Declares National Emergency, Calling Gov’t Border Drug Stats ‘Lies’
In a dark, rambling speech, the president repeated long-debunked arguments — and provided ammunition for likely court challenges.
Ideas
Why Withdrawing from the INF Treaty Might Be Unconstitutional
No one really knows who gets to cancel treaties, but courts may defer to a Congress that prefers not to.
Ideas
South Korea Becomes a Testing Ground for Trump’s Grievances With Allies
The motto for the U.S.–South Korea alliance isn’t “We go together, if I get enough money as reimbursement,” one analyst observed.
Threats