Outside the Beltway

Seymour Hersh is out with a conspiracy theory about the death of Osama bin Laden that just doesn’t make sense.

Rand Paul bucks Republican orthodoxy on Iraq, Libya, and negotiations with Iran.

U.S forces in Afghanistan have been involved in missions that go far beyond the counterterror mission the Obama Administration said they would be limited to.

Pot, meet kettle.

Marco Rubio is often described as one of the GOP’s leaders on foreign policy, but a close look reveals a decided lack of substance.

The former CIA Director received no jail time and a nuisance-level fine in exchange for a guilty plea to espionage charges.

For months, Ted Cruz said the nomination of Loretta Lynch must be blocked. Then, he failed to show up when the Senate voted on her nomination.

An attack on al Qaeda outposts in January resulted in the death of two hostages, but also resulted in the death of two high value al Qaeda targets.

An unsurprising outcome as we approach the second anniversary of the bombing at the Boston Marathon.

Rand Paul has changed position on several foreign policy issues, but he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it.

President George W. Bush had a running battle with the CIA throughout his eight years in office. Now, they’ve given him an award.

Bowe Bergdahl will face charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, and the White House’s narrative about this release lies in tatters.

America’s longest war continues.

A headline I did not expect to see, courtesy the Army Times: “Dakota Meyer engaged to Bristol Palin.”

The president is the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces. He’s not commander-in-chief of the United States.

The most widely honored General from the Iraq and Afghanistan War has plead guilty to sharing classified information with his mistress.

For those of us old enough to remember, February 22nd, 1980 marked one of the great moments in sports history.

The Atlantic has a fascinating cover story by Graeme Wood titled “What ISIS Really Wants.”

ISIS apparently now has a foothold in Libya, and is making inroads in Yemen.

President Obama will ask Congress to authorize a war he started six months ago.

Pressure is building on the Administration to send military aid to Ukraine, but it would be a very bad idea.

Reports indicate that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is likely to be charged with desertion for leaving his post in 2009, but he’s unlikely to serve time in prison.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence is supposed to be a champion of limited government. So why is he starting up a state run news agency?

Some are criticizing the President for not going to Paris for yesterday’s rally.

David Petraeus provided highly classified secrets to his mistress. Will he be charged?

The Army’s investigation of the disappearance five years ago of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been referred to a top General, who will decide if a court martial should be convened.

The costs of more than a decade of war are far higher than many ever thought, and we’re still paying the price for the fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush Administration while they were being fought.

A day of terror at a school in Pakistan.

A hostage crisis has been unfolding overnight at a cafe in Sydney, Australia that has apparent links to international terrorism.

As expected, the Senate passed the so-called “Cromnibus,” but not before a self-aggrandizing maneuver by Ted Cruz ended up being exploited by Democrats to pass outstanding nominations.

A dark and regrettable time in American history is finally seeing the light of day.

The abrupt departure of Chuck Hagel says much more about Administration policy than it does about Chuck Hagel.

A surprising change at the top of the military’s civilian chain of command.

What have our efforts to improve the Afghan economy accomplished?

The shocking has become routine. We’re no safer because of it.

You thought the American combat role in Afghanistan would end on December 31st? Think again.

The latest ISIS video is horrible and barbaric but we should not take the bait they are offering before considering the consequences of our actions going forward.

Some people didn’t like the song selection at last night’s Washington, D.C. concert for Veterans Day.

Mission creep.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul continues to challenge Republican orthodoxy on foreign policy, and that’s a good thing.

We’ve handed off operations in Helmand Province to the Afghanistan army.

Who should own antiquity?

It has nothing to do with winning, but it does have a lot to do with the foreign policy debate inside the Republican Party.

U.S. troops will be in Afghanistan for at least the next three years.

The Khorasan Group is, functionally, al Qaeda. Or is it?

The Administration’s policy in the President’s war against ISIS has no coherent plan, and that virtually guarantees escalation.

Before leaving office, Hamid Karzai is once again biting that hand that has fed him for the past decade.