Outside the Beltway

We are not being governed by smart people.

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

A slow-moving disaster.

Just harness Senator Mullin’s views on regime change in Iran.

The NYT reports about likely war crimes by US forces.

The quest for the elusive Peace Prize continues.

An actual move to acquire Greenland by force or coercion would be a massive line for the Trump administration to cross.

So says Denmark’s prime minister.

An oft-misunderstood legal principle.

Clowns on display.

And what application does it have to Venezuela in 2026?

In case you missed it.

“People are being designated” dontcha know.

We’ve seen this movie before.

A bold proclamation.

Where’s Congress?

Sure, Donald. Whatever you say.

(More than) 12 Tomahawks a-bombing.

Debates about whether Trump is strong or weak often ignore the fundamental fact that he has power.

The biggest reform in generations is being proposed.

Tough guys actions don’t solve massive problems.

Who needs evidence and due process when “bad guys” are involved.

With a heavy dose of Christian nationalism.

Come for the shots fired at the cabinet, stay for the weird digression.

Thinking about the intellectual foundations of contemporary immigration policy.

A clear violation of the laws of war. But do they apply?

A childhood friend claims he had PTSD from his actions.

A suspect, an Afghan national, is in custody.

Bret Stephens wants to oust Maduro in Venezuela.

Surging resources to immigration enforcement comes with tradeoffs.

Support is low, but opposition is tepid.

The former Defense Secretary and Vice President is gone at 84.

It’s not an unprecedented stance.

The Pentagon’s couch cushions are huuuuge.

A million dollars a day.

What could possibly go wrong?

I guess if we fail to vaporize you, you get treated like a criminial.

The SOUTHCOM commander has resigned and the Senate is debating, but it won’t matter.

Congress, Schmongress.

She was not amused by the administration’s workaround.

The obvious has been made expllicit.

A long and unusual speech has implications for civil-military relations.

A reaffirmation rather than a revelation.

Blowing up boats because they might have drugs on them is not justifiable, legally or morally.

A few more details have emerged.

Every general and admiral in a command billet has been called for a last-minute gathering about some unspecified topic.

A little bit more than the law would allow.

Memories are fading, as they are wont to do.