Freedom, Security, and Insurrection

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

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.

Biden SECDEF Pick on Hold?

Maybe it’s not going to be Michèle Flournoy after all.

Biden to Name Blinken for State and Sullivan for NSC

The 46th President’s foreign policy team is taking shape.

Is the American Government Legitimate?

A long-winded and esoteric discussion about an elusive idea.

Trump Saves ‘Stars and Stripes’

The venerable military newspaper lives to print another day.

Trump’s Bizarre, Anti-Veteran Rant

The Toddler-in-Chief strikes again.

Foreign Interference in the 2020 Elections

The Russians are at it again, with the cooperation of the Trump administration and its enablers.

Brent Scowcroft, 1925-2020

The National Security Advisor to Presidents Ford and GHW Bush has died.

Israeli Bomb Sets Back Iranian Nuclear Program

The Natanz fuel enrichment site has been seriously damaged.

Intel Briefers Stopped Telling Trump about Russia

The President didn’t want to hear about bad behavior from Moscow, so he wasn’t told.

Alexander Vindman Selected for Colonel

The former NSC staffer who testified against Trump is at a career crossroads.

After the Protests: What Then?

How to translate understandable frustration at injustice into tangible reform?

Who Gets Honored?

Are those who die in our wars more deserving than those who die in our stores?

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Honestly without Anonymity

Can there be truth when there are consequences?

Dave Dilegge, 1956-2020

The founder of Small Wars Journal passed Saturday.

Obama the Elder Statesman

The 58-year-old may have a post-presidency unmatched in history.

Pressuring Venezuela?

In recent weeks the US has ramped-up pressure on Maduro.

US Retaliates for Iranian Retaliation

A proportional response.

Iranian Attack Kills Americans

If a global pandemic and economic crisis weren’t enough excitement . . . .

CQ Brown to Become First African-American Service Chief

Another milestone has been reached.

West Point Why We’re Losing Wars Says West Point Prof

A book out today makes an odd case.

Army Not Investigating Vindman

Tweets aren’t policy, unless they are.

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Analysis vs Advocacy

A recurring source of friction in the OTB conversation.

The Hidden Left-Liberal Divide

One side is arguing over rules while the other is focused on consequences.

Pompeo on Iran and Ukraine

The chief diplomat of the United States isn’t very diplomatic (nor informative).

11 US Troops Injured in Attack Where No US Troops Were Injured

Claims by the President and Defense Department about the Iranian response to the Soleimani raid were untrue.

What Now with Iran?

President Trump has a huge decision to make.

Trump’s Threat To Sanction Iraq Is Ridiculous And Stupid

President Trump is making ridiculous threats against the regime in Iraq that are likely to draw it closer to Iran.

Trump’s Threat To Attack Iranian Cultural Sites Would Probably Be A War Crime

President Trump’s threat to attack Iranian cultural sites would most likely constitute a war crime if he actually carried it out.

Iran Announces End Of Restrictions Imposed By Nuclear Deal

In response to the American assassination of a top General, Iran has announced the end of yet more restrictions imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal.

In Attacking Iran, Trump Is Losing Iraq (Again)

The assassination of a top Iranian official on a visit to Baghdad is having the expected negative impact on our relationship with Iraq and the fight against ISIS.

Actions have Consequences

Despite Pompeo’s assurances, we are already seeing consequences for the Suleimani killing.

Citing 9/11 in Regards to Suleimani

If your case needs a 9/11 boost, perhaps your case is weak.

U.S. Drone Strike Hits Head Of Iranian Revolutionary Guard

An American drone strike has taken out the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a move likely to significantly increase tensions across the Middle East.

Iraqi Protesters Storm U.S. Embassy

Amid protests over American airstrikes, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has become a target.

New Year Likely To Bring A “Gift” From North Korea

The DPRK is promising a “gift” to the United States. The only question seems to be what form it will take.

Israel Headed To Third Election In A Year

Having failed to form governments after two successive elections, Israel is headed for a third election inside of a year.

Paul Volcker, Fed Chairman Who Slew The Inflation Dragon, Dies At 92

Paul Volcker, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board who put an end to the rampant inflation that threatened to choke the American economy, has died at 92.

It’s Official, Trump’s Policy Toward North Korea Is A Failure

WIth North Korea’s end of the year deadline for progress on talks quickly approaching, it is clear that the Trump Administration’s policies with regard to the DPRK have failed.

The Trouble With Trump’s Pardons For War Criminals

Donald Trump’s pardons of soldiers convicted of war crimes sends the wrong message to the military, to our allies, and to the world.

Navy Secretary Dismissed In Dispute Over Case Involving SEAL Accused Of War Crimes

The Secretary of the Navy was abruptly dismissed late yesterday in a dispute over the a case involving a SEAL accused of war crimes.

Republicans Attack An American War Veteran, Have They No Decency?

Republicans used to honor the men and women who serve our country. In the Trump Era, they attack them in defense of the President.

Long Day Of Impeachment Hearings Brings More Evidence Against Trump

After a long day of hearings, the case against the President is becoming clearer and Republican defenses becoming more absurd.

Trump Clears American Soldiers Involved In War Crimes

Against the advice of his top military advisers, President Trump has cleared three American soldiers of war crimes, sending a horrible signal to the world and to the troops in the field.

Late-Entering Presidential Candidates Rarely Win

History shows us that candidates who enter the race for President late rarely do well, and rarely manage to win.

The Military Has A Suicide Problem

Suicide has become a bigger threat to members of the military and veterans than combat. That needs to change.

LTC Vindman Could be Court-Martialed for Testifying to Congress

Defying the Commander-in-Chief’s order will almost certainly ruin a good man’s career.