Outside the Beltway

Disturbing reports over the weekend that American leaders may not be getting the kind of unbiased intelligence analysis about ISIS that they need to make decisions.

An apparent ongoing terrorist attack in Central Africa.

Ben Carson displays incoherence and ignorance on foreign policy issues that disqualify him from being considered a serious candidate for President of the United States.

Ben Carson’s campaign now admits that he fabricated a key portion of his biography.

American intelligence officials are saying that a Russian passenger jet that went down over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula was most likely brought down by a bomb.

President Obama came to office inheriting the legacy of one unnecessary war, and another that had faded from memory. He will leave office with Iraq and Syria in crisis, Europe uneasy, Yemen and Libya unstable breeding grounds for terrorism, and China doing whatever it is they’re doing.

Another day, another military escalation in the Middle East.

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

The U.S. and Russia have reached a much-needed deal to avoid inadvertent confrontations over the skies of Syria.

In the wake of failure that could have been easily foreseen, the Obama Administration is ending a program to train so-called “moderate” Syrian rebels.

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.

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.

Lindsey Graham recently retired as a colonel in the Air Force Reserves after 33 years of service. He missed most of the last twenty.

The Defense Department is working to fully integrate transgender troops.

My latest for The National Interest, “America’s Military Needs a New Retirement Plan,” has posted.

In what seems to be a clear signal to Russia, the U.S. is considering pre-positioning military equipment in nation’s very close to Russian borders.

Some unusually blunt, but true, language from the U.S. Secretary Of Defense.

ISIS has captured Ramadi, and revealed yet again how fractured Iraq actually is. Fixing that isn’t something that American aid or arms can accomplish.

Iraq seems to becoming a political headache for yet another member of the Bush family.

The tributes to the troops you see during N.F.L. games were most likely bought and paid for with your tax dollars.

There must be something odd in the water in the Lone Star State, because a bizarre conspiracy theory seems to have taken root there.

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 last of my four pieces analyzing the revised National Security Strategy has posted at RealClearDefense.

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

ISIS owns more territory than it did when the US bombing campaign began.

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.

Sony is warning the press not to publish material leaked by hackers, but it doesn’t have much of a legal leg to stand on.

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.

As things stand right now, there is no legitimate legal authorization for the President’s war against ISIS, and that’s largely because Congress has failed to act.

Mission creep.

Always as many military personnel identify as Independents as with the GOP.

The Navy Special Warfare community is angry at SEALs exploiting their part in the bin Laden raid.

The passing of a true legend in American journalism.

America’s federal workforce is increasingly disenchanted.

A new report from the New York Times confirms the adage that, in war, the first casualty is the truth.

The Turks have entered the conflict in Syria. Unfortunately for the United States, it’s not on the side we would prefer.