Posts by James Joyner

James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is a Professor of Security Studies. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

War Powers Catch-22

They have a right to do anything we can’t stop them from doing.

CIA Backing Kurdish Forces to Disrupt Iran

What could go wrong?

Iran War: Actionable Intelligence

Now we know why it started when it did.

Fort Benning honors the nation's fallen service members with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post's cemetery May 27. The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Main Post Cemetery went forward under bright but partly cloudy skies, with an audience of some 200 Soldiers and civilians seated outdoors. The ceremony included remarks by a speaker, and a wreath-laying in tribute to "all the nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice." The wreath-laying was followed by the firing of a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs) Fort Benning honors the nation's fallen service members with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post's cemetery May 27. The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Main Post Cemetery went forward under bright but partly cloudy skies, with an audience of some 200 Soldiers and civilians seated outdoors. The ceremony included remarks by a speaker, and a wreath-laying in tribute to "all the nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice." The wreath-laying was followed by the firing of a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)

Four American Servicemembers Killed, Three American Planes Shot Down

The nature of war does not change; only its character.

A THAAD interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, during Flight Test THAAD-23, August 30, 2019. label_outline A THAAD interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, during Flight Test THAAD-23, August 30, 2019. label_outline

The Logistics of Massive Air Defense

Shooting down cheap drones with expensive missiles is problematic in more ways than one.

More on Post-Khamenei Iran

More excerpts from excellent columns I’ve read.

Ali Khamenei's visit to the exhibition of achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Force 19 November 2023 Ali Khamenei's visit to the exhibition of achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Force 19 November 2023

The Ayatollah Is Dead. Now What?

I’m sure there’s a plan for that.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a recorded message. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a recorded message.

Ayatollah Khamenei Dead: Israeli Government

Breaking news. Big if true.

Iran War Roundup

Preliminary thoughts from several columnists.

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A Republic, If You Can Keep It

Apathy all the way down.

We’re at War With Iran

“Major combat operations” are underway.

Shadow War Between Russia and Europe?

Western intelligence services are sounding the alarm.

Americans Are Self-Deporting

More Americans are living abroad than ever. Probably.

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, on the House floor of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, on the House floor of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The State of the Union, 2026 Edition

USA! USA! USA!

President Donald Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Portions of this photo have been blurred for security purposes. President Donald Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Portions of this photo have been blurred for security purposes.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Cautious About Iran Fight

Will POTUS listen?

Did Gaza Cost Harris the Election?

The evidence is thin.

DHS Suspends TSA Pre and Global Entry

The libs are so owned.

Jeffrey Epstein connections Government Business Academia Media Arts Jeffrey Epstein connections Government Business Academia Media Arts

The Psychology of Epstein’s Circle

Enough is never enough.

The Tariff Ruling and the Balance of Power

The case has major implications beyond the taxation issue.

President Donald Trump participates in the Board of Peace Charter Announcement and Signing ceremony during the World Economic Forum, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Davos Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland. President Donald Trump participates in the Board of Peace Charter Announcement and Signing ceremony during the World Economic Forum, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Davos Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump Preparing For War With Iran

You’re going to be finding out over the next, maybe, 10 days. 10 to 15 days, pretty much, maximum.

Former South Korean President Sentenced to Life in Prison

Apparently, masterminding an insurrection is a crime in some countries.

Prince Andrew at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, 1st September 2011 Prince Andrew at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, 1st September 2011

Andrew Formerly Known As Prince Arrested

On his birthday, no less.

Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke at the UN today for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In his remarks, Reverend Jackson highlighted the importance of freedom of expression in the fight for human rights and to combat racial discrimination. U.S. Mission photo by Eric Bridiers Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke at the UN today for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In his remarks, Reverend Jackson highlighted the importance of freedom of expression in the fight for human rights and to combat racial discrimination. U.S. Mission photo by Eric Bridiers

Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026

The controversial civil rights leader is gone at 84.

Robert Duvall. Stars turn out for the movie Get Low at TIFF 2009 Robert Duvall. Stars turn out for the movie Get Low at TIFF 2009

Robert Duvall, 1931-2026

A great American actor is gone at 95.

Electoral Autocracy or Needed Correction?

The critics are divided.

The Odd State of the Transatlantic Alliance

Roles have been reversed.

AI and Jobs, Redux

An ongoing discussion.

Fiddling Around

You’re in the right place.

Gallup Ends Presidential Approval Polling

I question the timing.

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DC Grand Jury Refuses to Indict Over ‘Illegal Orders’ Video

An absurd matter has come to its rightful conclusion.

The Irresponsible Government Model

The Epstein fallout highlights differences in the US and UK systems.

Redistricting Insanity

Destroying democracy in order to save it.

Nihilistic Violent Extremism?

Some criminologists have identified a new trend.

Pentagon Cutting Ties With Harvard

Other schools are likely to follow.

The Washington Post building in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post building in Washington, D.C.

The Slow Death of the Washington Post

A great newspaper is suffering another round of cutbacks.

President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Trump Wants to Nationalize Elections

What could possibly go wrong?

Fine Line Between Public Right to Know and Doxxing

Ethics and masked law enforcement.

Managing Expectations

Governments are not equipped for once-every-few-decades events.

Demond Wilson, 1946-2026

The Sanford and Son actor is gone at 79.

President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting, Thursday, January 29, 2026, in the Cabinet Room. President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting, Thursday, January 29, 2026, in the Cabinet Room.

Chaos Works Both Ways

Flooding the zone saps his opponent’s attention, but also his White House’s.

President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Trump Reverses Course in Minnesota

TACO Tuesday?

Refreshing the Tree of Liberty

Standing up to armed tyrants is considerably harder than sloganeering.

The 2026 National Defense Strategy

The long-awaited document is less disruptive than it appears on the surface.

Less Than Meets the Eye?

Trump’s style may obscure a lack of substance.

Trump Reaches Greenland Deal

It’s huuuuge!

Friendship between the United States and Canada was developed and strengthened by the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, on August 9, 1842, in the old State Department building which stood on this site (wherever that is). This treaty established the north- eastern boundary between the two countries. This tablet paced by the Kiwanis Club of Washington in Cooperation with the committee on marking points of historic interest April 30, 1929. Friendship between the United States and Canada was developed and strengthened by the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, on August 9, 1842, in the old State Department building which stood on this site (wherever that is). This treaty established the north- eastern boundary between the two countries. This tablet paced by the Kiwanis Club of Washington in Cooperation with the committee on marking points of historic interest April 30, 1929.

When You’ve Lost Canada . . .

Our closest ally and trading partner is balancing against us.

North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing fly over Greenland Oct. 7, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. Greenland, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark has long played an important role in the defense of North America, which strengthens NORAD's ability to protect the continent from today's threats and emerging challenges from all approaches. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2d Lt Cameron Lewis) North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing fly over Greenland Oct. 7, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. Greenland, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark has long played an important role in the defense of North America, which strengthens NORAD's ability to protect the continent from today's threats and emerging challenges from all approaches. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2d Lt Cameron Lewis)

Greenland Follies

A slow-moving disaster.

Federal agents ram a man's vehicle and demand identification at Park Avenue and 35th Street in Minneapolis on January 12, 2026. The Latino man says he was let go once they realized he was a US citizen. While doing so, a crowd as well as more officers continued to arrive before releasing tear gas and pepper spraying members of the media and their cameras. Federal agents ram a man's vehicle and demand identification at Park Avenue and 35th Street in Minneapolis on January 12, 2026. The Latino man says he was let go once they realized he was a US citizen. While doing so, a crowd as well as more officers continued to arrive before releasing tear gas and pepper spraying members of the media and their cameras.

Mess in Minnesota

Going from bad to worse.

Virginia Swears in First Woman Governor

Abigail Spanberger made history this afternoon.

Scott Adams, 1957-2026

The legendary cartoonist turned MAGA influencer is gone at 68.