Author Archive
Ideas
Donald Trump’s Reckless Iran Tweet
Why would the president threaten war over such relatively inconsequential words?
Ideas
Congress May Declare the Forever War
A proposed law with bipartisan support would dramatically weaken the ability of legislators to extricate the United States from perpetual armed conflict.
Ideas
Rick Perry Should Not Be Allowed to Pick Nuclear Weapons
The Trump administration and its allies in Congress want the Energy Secretary to determine whether to develop a new class of low-yield nuclear weapons.
Ideas
Counterpoint: Trump’s Syria Strike Was Unconstitutional and Unwise
The military intervention solved nothing, while bypassing Congress, betraying the president’s non-interventionist supporters, and highlighting his hypocrisy.
Ideas
Trump’s Plea to Russian Hackers Foreshadows a Dangerous Stance on NSA Surveillance
His call out to Russian hackers validates the worst suspicions of security-state critics.
Threats
'We Are Not Frozen in a Nightmare,' Says Defiant John Kerry
The secretary of state insisted America is more engaged in global conflicts with deeper impact than ever before, in a sweeping speech at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Threats
What We Know About the Brussels Attacks
Dozens were killed in bombings at an airport and subway station, prompting outrage and disbelief across an already-shocked Europe.
Science & Tech
Let’s Talk About the Federal Drones Flying Over US Soil
An alphabet soup’s worth of government agencies are exercising their ability to look down on ordinary citizens.
Ideas
The Hawkeye State Sours on Hawkish Republicans
Four years ago, Iowans rewarded the neocon-inflected campaigns of Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney. This year, four of the top five finishers are critics of unnecessary interventions.
Policy
The Principled Realism of Rand Paul
On ISIS, the Kentucky senator steers a distinctive course between his party’s neoconservatives and its bellicose populists.
Policy
How Hillary's Hawkishness Could Cost Her the Presidency
Clinton's support for the Iraq War backfired in 2008. Her support for the intervention in Libya could do the same in 2016.
Featured eBooks
Policy
How America's National Security Hawks Empowered Iran
Invading Iraq didn't strengthen America's hand with Tehran. In fact, it did just the opposite. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
Now the GOP Must Choose: Mass Surveillance or Privacy?
Before May, the new Congress must choose between endorsing or ending NSA spying on the phone calls of virtually every American. By Conor Friedersdorf
Ideas
3 Ways Obama Expanded War Powers Well Beyond George W. Bush
Here are three precedents set by the Obama administration that make it even easier to use lethal force abroad without congressional approval. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
How Snowden Complicates the Prevention of Future Leaks
Whether one believes Snowden's leaks to be salutary or deeply regrettable, it's useful to understand what prompted him to act as he did. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
Here Are the 7 Pages That Gave President Obama Cover to Kill Americans
A newly released memo giving Obama legal cover from extrajudicial killings is alarmingly terse. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
Why Is the CIA Torture Report Still Secret?
The intelligence agency's behavior is enough for even people who dislike leaks to see the need for a whistleblower. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
Does John Brennan Know Too Much to Be Fired?
If the Senate doesn't act now to rein in the CIA, what will it take? By Conor Friedersdorf
Science & Tech
Former NSA Director Could Be Cashing In Big Time
The former head of the NSA is walking a fine line as he appears poised to substantially monetize his public service in the private sector. By Conor Friedersdorf
Threats