Outside the Beltway

The line “don’t know much about history” comes to mind.

The right decision, or the triumph of mob rule?

Open mouth, insert foot.

An ongoing set of considerations on the relationship between liberty and government.

The “Founders” founded a government and the “Framers” were framing the basic structure thereof. This should be obvious.

How did the west become part of the US?

The economy may be recovering but voters don’t want to hear that, Democratic strategists warn.

New York has joined nine other states and the District of Columbia to vote to for an Electoral College bypass.

Middle East peace talks are apparently in such bad shape that the U.S. is thinking of releasing Jonathan Pollard as an incentive to Israel.

The future may hold a lot of vehement arguing over insignificant bits of territory.

Benjamin Wallace-Wells wonders with some irritation “Why Henry Kissinger Never Goes Away.”

More on the pending referendum and some thoughts on elections in authoritarian contexts.

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

The West owes Ukraine nothing.

The bizarre conservative love affair with Vladimir Putin continues.

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

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

Please, for accuracy’s sake, figure inflation into discussions of the history of the minimum wage.

One could argue the constitutional requirements of the SOTU are fulfilled on an onging basis.

Republican leaders continue to say stupid things. They may still retake the Senate in November.

Polarization is not the cause of our problems.

Former SecDef Robert Gates is among those who believes that the Iraq War unduly diverted attention from fighting the War On Terror.

In a new interview, Edward Snowden explains his motives for absconding from the country with NSA secrets.

Newly disclosed details about the US role in Colombia.

Vladimir Putin seems to be getting a lot of love from cultural conservatives in the United States.

Felons! Foreigners! When will the madness end?

David Brooks thinks that the problem with American Government is that the Presidency isn’t strong enough.

Democracy was nice while it lasted.

In 1789, George Washington took office after being elected by only a small portion of the population of the U.S. Does that mean he wasn’t “democratically elected?”

The most important leader to come out of Africa in the 20th Century, and perhaps in all of history, has died.

A third term for any of these guys? Don’t count on it.

When worlds collide.

A top House Republican suggested today that only Governor’s should be President. His argument has both practical and historical merit.

Ken Cuccinelli still hasn’t called to congratulate Terry McAuliffe. Why does this odd custom continue?

Looking at Chris Christie as he interacts with voters in New Jersey offers a glimpse of just how he could succeed in a 2016 GOP nomination fight.

The economy of the Euro Zone remains in quiet dire straits, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Germany.

It’s no wonder there’s no compromise in Congress.

NSA Director General Keith Alexander really doesn’t like the idea of a free press.

The latest revelations about National Security Agency surveillance outside the United States have caused quite an uproar overseas.

My review of Andrew Bacevich’s latest book, Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country.