Ideas
The Slow Death of the Iran Nuclear Deal
Tehran says it will stop complying with elements of the accord unless the countries that remain live up to their commitments. But those five states are unlikely to stand up to U.S. pressure.
Threats
Senior Military and Trump Officials in Washington Escalate Iran Warnings
General says sending aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers is not a pretext for war.
Ideas
How Not to Announce a Ship Deployment
A simple press conference could have avoided 36 hours of confusion and fears of war with Iran.
Threats
The Many Ways Iran Could Target the United States
The White House is citing unspecified threats from Iran. The specifics are murky, but the potential for escalation is real.
Ideas
Trump’s Iran Policy Is Counterproductive
It makes no sense to punish allies in Europe while shoring up hardliners in Tehran.
Ideas
Once Again, Trump Fails to Press Putin on Electoral Interference
No one in government other than Trump denies the Russian attack. That makes his May 3 phone call even more surreal.
Ideas
A US-Russia-China Arms Treaty? Extend New START First
Trump’s proposed pact is likely a pipe dream — or a smoke screen for scuttling yet another arms-control agreement.
Ideas
How an Elaborate Plan to Topple Venezuela’s President Went Wrong
The United States thought all the pieces were in place for Maduro to leave. Then everything came crashing down.
Policy
House Lawmakers To Ask Justice Department to Investigate Erik Prince
‘Very strong evidence’ that Blackwater founder committed perjury, says Intel chairman Schiff.
Ideas
Five Things I Learned From the Mueller Report
A careful reading of the dense document delivers some urgent insights — including a surprising revelation on the counterintelligence front.
Ideas
Trump's Withdrawal from Arms Trade Treaty Could Reduce US Exports
The Arms Trade Treaty has helped keep U.S. companies competitive in the global market by requiring other countries to adopt standards similar to America's.
Ideas
Counterterrorism in the Era of Great-Power Competition
A former Trump administration counterterrorism leader explains what’s changed since Obama, and what ought to come next.
Ideas
Trump's Approach to National Security: Whatever Benefits Me
This president stands apart from his government, but from Russia to DHS, his selective silence on security matters has policy effects.
Ideas
A Warlord Rises in Libya, and Trump Is Praising Him
It's Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan general who is leading his forces against the government the U.S. still officially backs.
Ideas
The French Ambassador Is Retiring. Here’s What He Really Thinks About Washington.
Gérard Araud says that Trump is right about trade. Kushner is “extremely smart” but has “no guts.” And John Bolton’s not so bad, actually.
Threats
Despite Threatening It, Trump Is Keeping the Military Out of Venezuela
The administration is sticking to an approach that it has favored against adversaries from Iran to North Korea: gradual economic strangulation.
Policy
Mueller’s Damning Portrait of Trump
The special counsel’s report shows a president who lies, acts rashly, and is routinely ignored by his own staff.
Policy
Long After 9/11, Congresswoman Rejects America's 'Good Muslim' Test
Rep. Ilhan Omar would rather "raise hell" than bend over backwards to seem unthreatening.
Policy
The Trump-Putin Relationship, As Dictated by the Kremlin
Why does the White House cede control of the narrative to the Russians?
Policy