Ideas

The World According to Trump

At the end of a contentious visit to the United Nations, the American president delivered a globe-spanning seminar on his worldview.

Ideas

What Trump's UN Speech Says About What Comes Next

His General Assembly speech laid out his worldview—and offered some clues about what could lie ahead.

Policy

A Solitary and Defiant Message to the UN In Trump’s Second Speech

“We reject the ideology of globalism. And we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump told world leaders.

Ideas

The US-China Trade War is Steering the World into the Unknown

A new Cold War is a possibility — but not the most likely one.

Ideas

If Trump’s Message to the Palestinians is 'You Lost, Get Over It,' He Will Fail

Instead of acknowledging the political and national aspirations of the Palestinians, negotiators are focusing on material and economic concerns.

Policy

Trump's Order to Reveal Docs Could Undermine Secret Court System

‘No one should be happy about the weaponization of declassification.’

Threats

Trump’s Latest Warning to Iran Didn’t Come out of Nowhere

The White House condemned the Islamic Republic for rocket attacks on U.S. facilities in Baghdad and Basra. Such attacks have been common—but it’s not always clear who exactly is driving them.

Ideas

How to Dampen Escalation Risks As Cyber-Attack Rules Loosen

Create standing rules of engagement and maintain the dual-hatted NSA/CyberCommand.

Ideas

The Woodward Book Comes for James Mattis

A veteran Washington journalist describes the defense secretary as avoiding confrontation and showing respect. But the rest of the book may have blown up that strategy.

Ideas

Donald Trump Sorrowfully Cancels Another North Korea Meeting

For the first time since his summit with Kim Jong Un, the president acknowledged that nuclear talks aren’t going well.

Policy

Trump’s Untested Authority to Revoke Security Clearances

Can the president restrict a person’s access to classified material for any reason he wants? It may take a lawsuit from former CIA Director John Brennan to find out.

Threats

Trump’s Afghanistan War Plan Is Working Despite Recent Attacks, Outgoing Commander Says

Facing renewed criticism, Gen. John Nicholson said the president’s year-old South Asia strategy was bringing Afghanistan closer to peace.

Ideas

This Is the Political Moment to Stop Supporting the Saudi War in Yemen

The deadly attack on a school bus with a U.S. laser-guided bomb should, at last, end Washington's backing.

Policy

Even Trump’s Own Adviser Is Warning About ‘Politicizing’ the Threat From Russia

But the danger he sees is already here.

Policy

The US Will Spend Billions in Syria—Just Not on Rebuilding It

The Trump administration has ended a civilian aid program in the country, but the cost of the counter-ISIS fight far outweighs those savings.

Policy

Trump's Unprecedented Retaliation Draws Unprecedented Rebukes

A dozen former spy chiefs slammed the president after he yanked Brennan's clearance. What comes next?

Business

Pentagon Spending $34M to Make Presidential Jets More Posh

The Air Force is upgrading the interiors of two smaller VIP aircraft to resemble the presidential cabin of Trump’s main Air Force One jets.

Ideas

We Regret to Inform You That Russia Is (Probably) At It Again

For Putin and company, election season in America is open season for meddling.

Ideas

Trump's Turkey Pushback is a Welcome Start

Unlike its predecessors, the Trump administration finally seems to be doing something about a long list of U.S. grievances.

Threats

Talking to the Taliban While Still Fighting the Taliban

Nearly a year since the Trump administration rolled out its South Asia strategy, carnage in Afghanistan continues even as negotiations for peace inch ahead.