Obama Apparently Giving Up On Quixotic Bid For ‘Middle East Peace’

President Obama has apparently come to the same realization as many of his predecessors, that trying to craft a legacy by single-handedly bring about “Middle East Peace” is largely a waste of time.

Despite Previous Promises Not To Do So, Obama Is Putting Boots On The Ground In Syria

Another day, another military escalation in the Middle East.

On Marco Rubio And The Issue Of Missed Senate Votes

Marco Rubio is taking heat for missing a lot of Senate votes since he started running for President, but he’s not really any worse than other legislators who have run for President.

Obama Considering Plan That Would Get U.S. Ground Troops Closer To Front Lines In ISIS War

President Obama is reportedly considering a plan that would put American forces much closer to the ground war in the war against ISIS.

Jeb Bush Campaign Just Mostly Dead

Several recent nominees were flailing at this point in those cycles.

Neither The United States Nor Russia Have A Coherent Policy In Syria

With Russia now launching its own airstrikes in Syria, it’s become obvious that U.S. policy in the Syrian Civil War is irrational and contradictory. And Russia’s policy isn’t any better.

U.S. To Increase Number Of Syrian Refugees Accepted Into The Country

The U.S. is set to ramp up its contribution to dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis, but there’s a lot more we can do.

After Final Senate Vote Fails, The Iran Nuclear Agreement Is A Done Deal

The final effort to block the Iran Nuclear Deal failed in the Senate yesterday, meaning that the deal will now move forward.

Jeb Bush Loses Three Top Fundraisers; Signs Of Trouble Ahead?

Jeb Bush’s campaign has been in a rough patch for several weeks at least, and now he’s lost three top fundraisers.

Donald Trump, Immigration, And The Republican Party

Once again, Donald Trump is succeeding because he is saying things many Republicans agree with.

U.S. Considering Releasing Jonathan Pollard?

Reports are circulating that the Obama Administration is considering releasing Jonathan Pollard, and many are seeing it as an effort to placate Israel in the wake of the Iran deal.

It Won’t Be Easy For Republicans To Get Rid Of Donald Trump

Despite his remarks about John McCain, Donald Trump is likely to be around for some time to come.

U.S., Cuba Reopen Embassies For First Time In 54 Years

There are mutual embassies in Havana and Washington for the first time in 54 years. It certainly took long enough.

Donald Trump On John McCain: I Like People Who Weren’t Captured

Donald Trump stuck his foot in his mouth again.

‘Hillary Loses’ Scenario Demonstrates Why She Wins

A Republican political consultant says Hillary Clinton is in danger of losing the nomination.

U.S. And Cuba To Reopen Embassies After 54 Years

For the first time since 1961, there will soon be an American Embassy in Havana, and a Cuban Embassy in Washington. It’s well past time that this happened.

Cuba Removed From List Of State Sponsors Of Terrorism

Another step forward toward ending a U.S. policy regarding Cuba that was outdated twenty years ago.

Hillary Clinton Is Ethically Challenged And Hasn’t Accomplished Much, Voters Don’t Seem To Care

Hillary Clinton is a deeply flawed candidate who might not even make a very good President. But that doesn’t matter in the race for the Democratic Nomination, and she’s probably going to be the next President anyway.

Marco Rubio Fumbles The Iraq War Question

Marco Rubio is the latest Republican Presidential candidate to have a problem giving a coherent answer to a few simple questions about the Iraq War.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The That’s Some Bad Hat, Kerry Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Cuba To Be Removed From List Of Terrorist States

Another step forward for U.S.-Cuban relations.

White House And Congress Reach Compromise On Review Of Iran Nuclear Deal

After months of resistance, the White House will allow Congressional review of any deal with Iran, but it may not hamper negotiations much in the end.

‘P5 Plus 1’ Talks Reach Framework Of Agreement On Iran’s Nuclear Program

Talks in Geneva have reached a framework agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program that, if it’s complied with, appears at first glance to be about the best deal available under the circumstances.

Jeb Bush Says He Doesn’t Read New York Times

The Republican frontrunner claims he doesn’t read America’s most important newspaper.

Harry Reid Retiring From Senate

After nearly 20 years in office, Harry Reid announced early today that he would not seek reelection in 2016.

Senate GOP’s Letter To Iran Likely To Achieve Exactly The Opposite Of What It Intends

Senate Republicans have done more harm to the goal of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons than they have done good.

Democrats Consider Boycott Of Netanyahu Speech To Congress

Some Congressional Democrats are considering skipping a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a Joint Session Of Congress.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Kung Fu Pander Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Obama’s Missed Opportunity

My latest for The National Interest, “Obama’s Paris Blunder: Part of a Much Bigger Problem,” has posted.

Obama’s Absence From Paris Rally: Egregious Diplomatic Error, Or Much Ado About Nothing?

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

House Vote, Nebraska Court Decision Push Keystone XL Forward But Obama Continues To Dither

President Obama’s decision on Keystone XL is apparently to delay things long enough so he doesn’t have to decide at all.

American Held By Cuba Released, U.S. And Cuba To Begin Talks On Normalizing Relations

An American freed from captivity, and potentially huge changes in America’s diplomatic and trade relationship with Cuba.

Democrats Narrow List Of Convention Finalists To Three Cities

Columbus, Philadelphia, or New York City (well, Brooklyn really)?

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Stepping Down “Under Pressure”

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

Turkey Refusing to Fight ISIS Right on Its Border

A massacre is about to unfold “a stone’s throw” from Turkey’s border.

U.S., Afghanistan Sign Agreement To Keep 10,000 U.S. Troops In Country Past 2014

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

Jim Webb For President?

The former Virginia Senator is talking about running for President.

Yemeni Rebels Seize Portion Of Capital

While the world pays attention to Syria and Iraq, Yemen is once against lurching into chaos.

Obama’s Anti-ISIS Coalition Seems To Exist Only In His Mind

Despite the President’s assurances of an international coalition, the rest of the world doesn’t seem all that interested in joining the fight.

No, Obama Isn’t Seeking ‘Regime Change’ in Iraq

The United States is, in fact, doing the exact opposite.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Dis Ain’t Pismo Beach Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

72 Hour Gaza Ceasefire Collapses In Less Than Two Hours

A glimmer of hope in Gaza is quickly snuffed out.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Rode Hard And Put Away Wet Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Israel Rejects Temporary Cease Fire Plan As Gaza Conflict Continues To Rage

Hopes for a temporary respite in the Gaza conflict faded away today.

Thank God For Negative Campaigning

Rather than being a bad thing, negative campaigning is an essential part of our political system.

Afghans Agree To Changes In Government In Deal To Resolve Election Dispute

The various factions in Afghanistan have agreed, at least in principle, to alter the nation’s government as part of a deal to resolve election disputes.