Author Archive
Ideas
Milley Is Trump's Latest Reluctant Enabler
Maintaining the balance between serving the president and protecting the Constitution is impossible over time.
Ideas
Trump Is Attacking the Final Safeguard Against Executive Abuses
The president has defied Congress, and gummed up cases in court. Now he’s firing the inspectors general.
Ideas
Donald Trump Has No Plan
Thousands are dying each week, the economy is cratering, and the president is at a total loss.
Ideas
Why Michael Flynn Is Walking Free
The former national security adviser figured out that loyalty to Trump is now a better bet than loyalty to the rule of law.
Ideas
Trump’s Fixation on the Hostage Crisis Is Driving His Iran Policy
The president’s approach to the Islamic Republic appears stuck in 1979.
Ideas
It Was a Corrupt Quid Pro Quo
Not only did the president hold up aid to Ukraine; he made its release contingent on a statement advancing his own political interests.
Ideas
Trump’s Incriminating Conversation With the Ukrainian President
The White House said a transcript of the call would be exculpatory—but the summary it released only adds to the problems facing Trump.
Ideas
The White House’s Impossible Job
The problem is not that Trump failed to get along with John Bolton—it’s that he doesn’t want a national security adviser in the first place.
Ideas
Trump’s Unpardonable Admission About His Border Wall
The president wants to spend billions of taxpayer dollars for a project that he acknowledges is largely symbolic—even if it breaks the law.
Ideas
Trump's Thin Skin Is Hurting US National Security
The president’s aides are reluctant even to broach the dangers of white racist violence and electoral interference with him.
Featured eBooks
Ideas
Not Even Trump Has Any Idea What His Iran Policy Is
The president canceled a strike because it was “not proportionate,” and then vowed “obliteration.”
Ideas
Trump’s Efforts at Election Tampering Are Growing Bolder
Having exploited foreign assistance in 2016 and gotten away with it, the president is already trying it again in the 2020 race.
Ideas
Border Disorder: Trump Can’t Figure Out How to Keep His Biggest Promise
The president insisted that preventing illegal immigration would be simple and easy. Through a series of increasingly desperate attempts, he’s discovering that isn’t true.
Ideas
Trump Pushes Army Corps of Engineers to Hire a Favored Firm
The president should not be pressing military leaders to award a contract to a company controlled by a political ally that has failed to meet standards.
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
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.
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.
Ideas
Trump’s Border Obsession Is Courting Disaster
The president’s single-minded focus on immigration is shortchanging Homeland Security’s other crucial functions, from election security to emergency response.
Ideas