The Ukrainian Situation: I Yam What I Yam

There are lots of different ways of looking at the situation in Ukraine—historical, game theoretical, and interpersonal perspectives.

Glittering Eye Turns 10

Congratulations to Dave Schuler on a decade of blogging.

Frederick Mayer, Real ‘Inglorious Basterd,’ Denied Medal of Honor Again

A Jewish-American OSS hero has been denied the nation’s highest military honor.

Why Do Dictators Like Kim Jong Un Bother To Hold Fake Elections?

Why do dictators feel the need to pretend that they have the consent of the people over whom they rule?

Western ‘Security Guarantees’ to Ukraine Don’t Say What Commentators Think

The Budapest Memorandums pertain solely to nuclear attacks.

Preliminary Thoughts on the Ukraine Situation

Russian invasion or legitimate secessionist movement? And does it matter?

Will Fewer Soldiers and Marines Come with Fewer Wars?

My latest for The National Interest, “Hagel’s Defense Cuts: The Least Bad Choice,” is out.

H.R. McMaster Gets Third Star, Charge of Army Future

A rather impressive recovery from a career that was mostly dead in 2007.

When Will It Not Be News That Someone Is Gay?

Ellen Page is gay. So is Michael Sam. Shouldn’t we be aiming for the day when the response to news like this is “So what?”

NBC’s Rogue Sochi Starbucks

They really love their Starbucks at NBC–and not just on “Morning Joe.”

Same-Sex Marriage Victories Spread South To Kentucky

The string of victories for same-sex marriage continues as a Federal Judge rules that the Commonwealth of Kentucky must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.

Federal Government and Snow Days

Snow days are no longer automatic vacation days for federal workers.

Obama Ambassador Follies

President Obama is rewarding unqualified hacks who raised huge sums for his campaign with ambassadorships.

Americans Have Mostly Negative View Of Putin And Russia

The Cold War may be over, but the negative opinions in the U.S. regarding Russia and its leadership seem to have continued.

Derek Jeter To Retire At End Of 2014 Season

The beginning of the end of an era.

N.F.L. Draft Prospect Michael Sam Comes Out As Gay

Michael Sam is gay.It didn’t matter to his University of Missouri teammates. Will it matter to the NFL?

RadioShack To Close 500 Stores, America Surprised To Learn RadioShack Still Exists

Can you still buy batteries there, though?

CVS To Stop Selling Tobacco Products

CVS makes a business decision that is earning it kudos for the most part.

On The Air

Amanda Knox And Extradition: More Likely Than You Might Think

Yes. Amanda Knox could be extradited.

Army Recruiting Fraud Scandal

Hundreds of soldiers allegedly scammed a system that awarded bonuses for referring recruits.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead at 46

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is reportedly dead of a drug overdose at the age of 46.

Amazon as Non-Profit

Does it matter if companies make a profit?

Twice as Good with Half as Much

Ta-Nehisi Coates explores his complicated reaction to the first African-American president.

Initial Fourth Quarter GDP Report Sends Mixed Signals

Some good news, but also plenty of reason to worry about the future.

Snow and the South

Gizmodo’s Brian Barrett explains “Why the South Fell Apart in the Snow.”

Ezra Klein and Matt Yglesias to Launch New Venture Doing News That Isn’t New

Ezra Klein has put out a teaser of the project that he left WaPo to pursue.

Who Should Pay Child Porn Victims? And How Much?

A man who viewed two photographs of a child abuse victim has been ordered to pay $3.4 million in damages.

Why Owning Beats Renting, Digital Music Edition

One of the perils of the Internet age is that companies constantly go belly up, leaving their customers in a lurch

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Wife Charged in Federal Corruption Case

Less than a month out of office, the Old Dominion’s former chief executive is facing 14 counts.

Jon Huntsman New Atlantic Council Chairman

Former Utah governor and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman succeeds Chuck Hagel.

December Jobs Report Comes In Way Off Estimates, 300,000+ Leave Labor Force

A surprisingly disappointing jobs report for December.

Sequestration and the 6th Amendment Right to Counsel

Chief Justice Roberts is sounding the alarm over deep cuts to the public defender program.

F-35 Costs $182 Million to $299 Million Per Plane

Nobody gets the airplane they wanted but at least they’re paying more for the one they’re getting.

Secessionist America

So Far, The Military Coup Looks Like It Will Be A Disaster For Egypt In The End

Nearly six months later, it’s hard to find any good in the July military coup in Egypt.

Federal Judge Rules That Most Of Sherlock Holmes Is Now Public Domain

Thanks to a Federal District Court Judge, most of Sherlock Holmes is now in the public domain.

Federal Government: Electric Cars Will Account For Only 1 Out Of 100 Cars In 2040

The era of the electric car isn’t likely to arrive for a long time, if ever.