OTB 2003 Revisited

A blast from the past.

Afghan Airlift Tradeoffs

Humanitarian instincts rightly trumped security concerns.

US Retaliates Against ISIL-K

An unsatisfying first(?) response.

Afghan War: Twenty Years For Nothing

Our last-ditch airstrikes only postpone the inevitable.

McConnell’s Statement on Afghanistan

Yes, it’s complicated, but it is also time to stop relying on cliches.

Evacuating the Afghans

President Biden has a second chance to do the right thing.

Natanz Sidelined by Another Israeli Attack

Iran’s top nuclear facility is offline again.

Biden Taking Fewer Refugees Than Trump!!!

Stenography is not journalism.

President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Ending the Forever Wars

It’s easy if you try.

Biden Punishing Russia but Not Saudi Arabia

The fecklessness of U.S. human rights policy in full display.

Lloyd Austin Confirmed as SECDEF

History has been made in more than one way.

Boxer’s Electoral Rebellion

A look back at the last time there was a challenge to a slate of electors.

The Arab Spring at 10

Tunisia is freer but poorer than it was before Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate act.

Biden to Name Blinken for State and Sullivan for NSC

The 46th President’s foreign policy team is taking shape.

The Most Important Election in American History

The stakes of losing will be catastrophic. Either way.

Considering US Attitudes toward Latin America

Pondering lack of US interest in our friends to the south.

Intel Briefers Stopped Telling Trump about Russia

The President didn’t want to hear about bad behavior from Moscow, so he wasn’t told.

Turkey at War with Syria and Europe

President Erdogan is playing a dangerous game.

A Blast from the Past: CDC Funding

Looking back to a story from 2018.

Tuberville and Sharia Law

Speaking of xenophobia.

Pompeo on Iran and Ukraine

The chief diplomat of the United States isn’t very diplomatic (nor informative).

11 US Troops Injured in Attack Where No US Troops Were Injured

Claims by the President and Defense Department about the Iranian response to the Soleimani raid were untrue.

More on NATOME

More on presidential nonsense with a brief diversion into blogging philosophy.

The Childlike Foreign Policy Stylings of Donald J. Trump

A bold new plan for security in the Middle East.

Mike Pompeo Decides Against Running For Senate

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has decided against running for Senator Kansas, decision that could force the GOP to defend an otherwise safe seat.

Iran Announces End Of Restrictions Imposed By Nuclear Deal

In response to the American assassination of a top General, Iran has announced the end of yet more restrictions imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal.

In Attacking Iran, Trump Is Losing Iraq (Again)

The assassination of a top Iranian official on a visit to Baghdad is having the expected negative impact on our relationship with Iraq and the fight against ISIS.

Actions have Consequences

Despite Pompeo’s assurances, we are already seeing consequences for the Suleimani killing.

U.S. Drone Strike Hits Head Of Iranian Revolutionary Guard

An American drone strike has taken out the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a move likely to significantly increase tensions across the Middle East.

Iraqi Protesters Storm U.S. Embassy

Amid protests over American airstrikes, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has become a target.

Netanyahu Survives Likud Leadership Challenge

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu easily survived a challenge for leadership of the Likud Party.

It’s Putin’s World, We’re Just Living In It

Notwithstanding Russia’s weak position vis a vis the west, It’s Putin who seems to be winning.

Netanyahu Faces Challenge For Likud Party Leadership

Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a challenge for the leadership of the party he’s headed for more than a decade.

Israel Headed To Third Election In A Year

Having failed to form governments after two successive elections, Israel is headed for a third election inside of a year.

Saudi Air Force Trainee Kills Three At Florida Naval Base

Questions linger after a shooting leaves three people and the shooter dead in an incident at one of the nation’s largest Naval facilities.

Trump Puts Jared Kushner In Charge Of His Border Wall

President Trump has put his son-in-law in charge of building the border wall.

Benjamin Netanyahu Indicted On Multiple Charges

After a year of controversy and investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicated on charges of fraud and bribery.

Gantz Unable To Form New Government, Israeli Politics Becomes More Chaotic

Blue & White Party Leader Benny Gantz was unable to form a new government, throwing Israel into another political crisis.

Trump Ignores International Law, Hands Israel Another Gift

Reversing decades of policy, the Trump Administration reversed decades of policy on settlements in disputed territory.

Russia And Turkey Divide Up Northern Syria As U.S. Retreats

As American forces retreat, Russia and Turkey are dividing up northern Syria like,well,a turkey.

ISIS A Big Winner After Trump’s Retreat

ISIS is quickly taking advantage of the abrupt American withdrawal from northern Syria.

Elizabeth Warren And The Commander In Chief Test

So far at least, Elizabeth Warren is not doing a good job of articulating her foreign policy positions. That needs to change if she’s going to be a serious candidate.

Trump’s Unhinged Behavior On Full Display At Meeting With Pelosi

As the vultures continue to circle above the White House, the President continues to lash out.

Turkey, Syria, And Russia Win, U.S. Loses As Syrian Crisis Widens

Turkish forces advance, American forces retreat, the Kurds seek new allies, and Syria and Russia come out the winners.

The Problem with Trump: A Preface

Thinking about support for Trump and considering how recent events may influence that support.

Trump Pulls U.S. Forces From Northern Syria, Leaving Kurds Vulnerable

The United States is withdrawing its small force from Northern Syria, clearing the way for a Turkish invasion that will likely
aim to wipeout the Kurdish forces in the region.

One Year Later, Mohammed bin Salman Still Getting Off Scot-Free In Khashoggi Murder

It’s been one year since Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, never to be seen in public again. We are no closer to justice in his case than we were a year ago.

Hugh Hewitt Hackery

An empty column with a seed of one good point buried in a bunch of nothing.

Netanyahu Joins Chief Rival In Call For Unity Government

With election results showing his Likud Party falling short of a majority, Benjamin Netanyahu is joining his chief rival in vallsfor a unity government. Getting there would be complicated, though,