October 19, 2021
The mirage of clean ‘over-the-horizon’ air strikes
We know targets will be less accurate without on-the-ground intel, resulting in more civilian casualties and greater backlash.
October 19, 2021
The conviction of Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller
The Marine violated regulations and stood trial as a result. But his broadside against the generals in Afghanistan was spot on.
October 18, 2021
Poll: Iranians disillusioned with Biden, back turn toward East
There’s also no evidence of widespread opposition to the regime, contradicting claims from Washington hawks that sanctions would cause Iranians to rise up against it.
October 18, 2021
Starving the Taliban — or the Afghan people?
We want women to go to school and persecutions of the innocent to stop. But we don’t want regular people to freeze and starve, either.
October 18, 2021
Remembering Powell’s revealing exchange with Madeleine Albright
The ‘reluctant warrior’ said he thought he would ‘have an aneurysm’ after her full-throated plea for military action in Bosnia.
October 18, 2021
US sanctions policies desperately need accountability
Congress can change that by including a House-passed amendment into the final version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
October 18, 2021
How Arab autocrats benefit from newfound friendship with Israel
Well ahead of ‘normalization,’ Middle East elites were tapping into Tel Aviv’s influence in Washington, much to both’s advantage.
October 17, 2021
Biden administration to release long-awaited sanctions review (UPDATED)
Hopefully it will be more than tinkering around the edges — fundamental changes in how they are used, if at all, are in order.
October 17, 2021
Azerbaijani, Iranian top diplomats try to turn down heat
The two foreign ministers also discussed how to resolve transportation issues in new post-war order in southern Armenia.
October 16, 2021
How to save the world (from a climate Armageddon)
Only when China and the United States elevate the threat of climate change above their geopolitical rivalry will it be possible to avert disaster.
October 15, 2021
Note to Blinken: Israel’s ‘military option’ shouldn’t be on our table
This week the secretary of state seemed to encourage Yair Lapid’s talk about using force. Is diplomacy dead?
October 15, 2021
Men ‘cleared’ for release from GITMO is a cruel, twisted joke
It likely means years of languishing until some other client state takes them on board under Washington’s strict conditions.
October 14, 2021
What Kim Jong Un’s big bad weapons blitz really means
Listen closely — he’s not talking about going to war but about something quite different. Is Biden listening?
October 14, 2021
Gulf security: It’s not all bad news
American withdrawal, coupled with the need to diversify Gulf state economies away from oil, is driving efforts to dial down regional tensions.
October 13, 2021
Dem lawmaker wants to expand trend of ceding war powers to the president
Rep. Elaine Luria’s proposal pre-authorizing Biden to defend Taiwan if China invades has its roots in American exceptionalism.
October 13, 2021
Toward a unified theory of Blob-dom
“The Blob” isn’t a coherent concept, according to some blobsters. Well they would say that, wouldn’t they?
October 13, 2021
Is the old nuke deal with Iran already dead?
Unfortunately too much time has passed and there may be no compelling reason for either side to return to talks.
October 13, 2021
Despite official celebrations, Arab street still resents the Abraham Accords
Secretary of State Blinken is hailing the deals, but they’re just window dressing on a stalled peace process.
October 12, 2021
Luria’s plea to give Biden full authority to attack China is folly
The Democratic congresswoman supports legislation allowing the president to bypass Congress to defend Taiwan.