Who’s to Blame for the War Dead?

The answer seems simple but it isn’t.

Trump’s Generals

My contribution to a continuing debate.

$15 Minimum Wage for Soldiers?

Our junior enlisted members make far less than that.

Marine Corps Major Arrested for Capitol Riot

A serving officer was arrested for his part in events of 6 January

Ransomware Attack Causes Fuel Shortage

The Southeast has been hit especially hard.

Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army) Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army)

Thomas: Overturn Feres Doctrine

The Supreme Court justice least concerned with precedent wants to overturn a longstanding one.

Sullivan on Biden (and a Discussion of Fiscal Policy)

On fiscal policy and historical comparisons.

Ralph Puckett Gets Medal of Honor 70 Years Too Late

The 94-year-old legend is finally getting his due.

The Filibuster Isn’t The Problem

It’s undemocratic and we should get rid of it. But doing so isn’t a panacea.

Defining ‘Extremism’ in the Military

It’s harder than a looks, especially given the limited size of the problem.

McConnell’s Statement on Afghanistan

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

Nick Burns to Be China Ambassador

An exceptional choice that breaks the recent tradition of politicos in the post.

Evacuating the Afghans

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

Natanz Bombing More Effective Than Thought

Thousands of centrifuges have been destroyed.

Leaving Afghanistan After Only 20 Years

Four administrations and two decades later, it’s about to be over.

Natanz Sidelined by Another Israeli Attack

Iran’s top nuclear facility is offline again.

POW/MIA Flag Back Atop White House

Stoking a bizarre fantasy that will not die.

[Top Secret Clip Art] [Top Secret Clip Art]

UN Ambassador’s Chief of Staff Loses Clearance

A bizarre case of bureaucratic ineptitude.

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Defense Department and ‘Extremists’

New screening procedures follow a Department-wide stand-down.

Capitol Police Officer Killed in Attack

A loon wolf terrorist who followed Louis Farrakhan was responsible.

G. Gordon Liddy, 1930-2021

The Watergate conspirator, author, and talk show host was 90.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Liberals Upset Biden Foreign Policy is Biden’s

Those expecting Bernie Sanders’ agenda are sorely disappointed.

On Coups, Insurrections, and Security Theater

Reflections on the events of 6 January two months later.

[Merick Garland] [Merick Garland]

Merrick Garland Ready to Take on Domestic Extremists

The man most famous for getting screwed out of a Supreme Court seat has a more interesting backstory.

Reporting and Commentary Should Remain Separate

There’s more than enough opinion journalism.

Eighteen Years of Blogging

Some reflections

Did House Impeachment Managers Make Their Case?

Most agree that it was good theater. But it’s not clear what they’ve proven.

George Shultz, 1920-2021

The longtime public servant has died, aged 100.

The Pendulum Is Broken, Not Swinging

Historical precedents fall apart when we’re in a truly unprecedented time.

The Leaderless GOP

The Republican Party is not really a thing.

Lloyd Austin Confirmed as SECDEF

History has been made in more than one way.

National Guard Sleeping in a Garage!

What we have here is failure to communicate.

Biden’s Christianity, Lincoln, and the Truth of Who We Are

Biden’s America is a place and idea in which the trappings of empire or glory are ephemera in comparison with perennial human relationships—families; friendships; communities; schools; neighbors; partners.

Freedom, Security, and Insurrection

The aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots runs into the First Amendment,

Did Q Shaman Intend to ‘Capture and Assassinate’ Government Officials?

Some of the Capitol rioters were much more dangerous than others.

Capitol Riot Could Have Been Much Worse

The live coverage of Wednesday’s assault on American democracy underplayed its seriousness.

The Terrorist In The Mirror

There’s a word for people who use outrageous violence to terrorize.

Lame Duckin’

As expected, the Congress has overridden his veto of the NDAA.

West Point Cheaters Mostly Athletes

The Academy is prioritizing football glory over honor.

[Voter Fraud Graphic] [Voter Fraud Graphic]

Two Crazy Aspects of Trump’s Fraud Allegations

Granted, there are more than two. But from a political science/political history POV, these two stick out in my mind.

Nashville Christmas Bombing

An exploding RV did substantial property damage but caused only minor injuries to bystanders.

Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army) Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army)

West Point Cheating Scandal Worst in Decades

73 cadets violated the honor code while taking an exam remotely.

Guardians of the High Frontier

Space Force took a year to decide what to call their uniformed members.

The SolarWinds Attack

Our enemies are getting more brazen and sophisticated in their cyber warfare.

No to Austin

My latest for Defense One.

Chuck Yeager Dead at 97

An American hero is gone.

Gen. Lloyd Austin Biden’s SecDef Pick

Not another general.

Biden’s Defense Secretary

My latest for Defense One.

Biden Considering Lloyd Austin for SECDEF?

Yet another retired general in the post would be a bad idea.

Rethinking Flournoy as SECDEF

Women in national security circles love this woman.