Outside the Beltway

My latest for The National Interest, “Why Terrorists Are Worse Than Guns,” has posted.

There seems to be an effort underway to reassess the legacy of our 43rd President.

For better or worse, the attack in Boston is likely to have an impact on the immigration reform debate.

The Boston Marathon bomber must be tried in a court of law.

A bipartisan commission of elder statesmen confirms what we’ve known for years.

A new report confirms that the United States did engage in torture in the wake of the September 11th attacks.

We treat violence by lone individuals differently than organized violence. Race, religion, and national origin have nothing to do with that.

Peter Bergen says government crackdowns since the Oklahoma City and 9/11 attacks have made getting bomb making materials harder.

We shouldn’t overreact. But we shouldn’t fool ourselves either: We’re not safe.

The Army has ruled, correctly, that the victims of Major Nidal Hassan are not entitled to the Purple Heart.

Second thoughts about the Iraq War

Habemus Papam

My latest for The National Interest, “Was Afghanistan Worth It?” takes issue with the Marine commandant’s assessment of that question.

The Obama White House is not ruling out targeted strikes against Americans inside American territory.

Walter Russell Mead presents his sitrep of the War on Terror.

American troops may now earn the fourth highest combat medal from the comfort of their desk chair.

Is America’s focus on defense weakening the country?

The idea of completely pulling out of Afghanistan after 2014 is very compelling.

It’s time to start thinking outside the box when it comes to disaster relief.

The GOP’s image problems continue

After an independent investigation blasted State Department leadership for lax security in Benghazi, three officials have resigned.

While no official announcements have been made, President Obama’s second term national security team appears to be taking shape.

People continue to spread conspiracy theories explaining the “real reason” that David Petraeus’s extra-marital affair became public.

The scandal now surrounding David Petraeus should lead people to reassess his past record.

The David Petraeus/Paula Broadwell story gets curiouser.

Without question, Barack Obama won the foreign policy debate in the 2012 campaign.

Mayor Bloomberg has decided to hold the New York Marathon Sunday even though millions are still without power and the city infrastructure is unable to cope with normal activity.

Once again, a natural disaster has caused a common economic fallacy re resurface.

Under the right circumstances, it would be possible to postpone a Presidential election.

First in a series of posts looking at the substance of the final presidential debate, ostensibly about foreign policy.

The Pentagon considers those killed by Nidal Hassan at Fort Hood three years ago victims of workplace violence, not terrorism.

A Bangladeshi man was arrested yesterday in New York for an apparent plot to bomb Federal Buildings. The entire plot was an FBI sting operation.

What’s the truth about last night’s debate exchange about Libya?

Falling on the sword?

A round of finger pointing in the aftermath of the Benghazi attack.