Posts by James Joyner

James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is a Professor of Security Studies. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.
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Trump to Pay Troops Again

The Pentagon’s couch cushions are huuuuge.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 128th Military Police Company, Alabama National Guard, begin their patrol in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2025. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission brings together National Guard Soldiers and law enforcement partners to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust across the District. U.S. Army Soldiers with the 128th Military Police Company, Alabama National Guard, begin their patrol in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2025. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission brings together National Guard Soldiers and law enforcement partners to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust across the District.

National Guard Deployment to DC Extended

A million dollars a day.

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The Coming AI Bubble?

A chip maker is the most valuable company on the planet.

Shutdown Pressure Points

Upcoming milestones that could force a deal.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications.

We’re on the Verge of War With Venezuela (and Maybe Colombia)

What could possibly go wrong?

1.4 Million Federal Workers Go Unpaid

Next up: our armed forces.

President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025. President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025.

Trump Won’t Ask Congress for Approval

“What are they going to do? Say, ‘Gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in?’”

A Curated History of White House Changes

Courtesy of President Donald J. Trump.

East Wing Almost Gone

The move to build Trump’s Big Beautiful Ballroom is moving at record speed.

The Internet of Everything

The downside of our increasing connectivity.

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East Wing Demolished to Built Trump Ballroom

It’s huuuuge.

Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, gestures during the session 'Vision for the G20' at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 27, 2011. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, gestures during the session 'Vision for the G20' at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 27, 2011.

Nicolas Sarkozy Jailed

He becomes the first French ex-head of state to be jailed since Marshal Pétain.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Trump’s Peace Deal May Prove Short-Lived

The hostages have been released, but the war appears back on.

The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party. The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party.

Party Favorability Gap

Democrats are considerably less happy with their party than are Republicans.

The Largest One-Day Protest In American History

Millions turned out in support of basic ideals.

No Kings rally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 14, 2025 No Kings rally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 14, 2025

Is The Resistance Futile?

The second round of No Kings rallies will take place today. Will they matter?

KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley plays between Gene Simmons -L- and Paul Stanley -R- during the guitar exchange portion of the song DETROIT, ROCK CITY in Bakersfield, CA during the band's Farewell Tour, March 21, 2000. KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley plays between Gene Simmons -L- and Paul Stanley -R- during the guitar exchange portion of the song DETROIT, ROCK CITY in Bakersfield, CA during the band's Farewell Tour, March 21, 2000.

Ace Frehley, 1951-2025

The original KISS lead guitarist is gone at 74.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks in honor of the U.S. Navy 250th anniversary celebration at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia President Donald Trump delivers remarks in honor of the U.S. Navy 250th anniversary celebration at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia

The War on Venezuela is Escalating

The SOUTHCOM commander has resigned and the Senate is debating, but it won’t matter.

End of the Voting Rights Act?

SCOTUS appears ready to supercharge gerrymandering.

abstract image with silhouettes of all different people abstract image with silhouettes of all different people

The Revolution Will Not Be Happening

The public is much less concerned than you are.

Republicans In Disarray!

Not so much.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Trump Takes Victory Lap as Israeli Hostages Freed

All 20 living hostages have been released and the bodies of others are slowly being returned.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes remarks at an event announcing the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the East Room of the White House. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes remarks at an event announcing the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the East Room of the White House.

CDC is Over

The health agency has been gutted under RFK Jr.’s reign.

Trump to Pay Troops with ‘Available Funds’

Congress, Schmongress.

Trump Fires Workers Amidst Shutdown

A dramatic escalation of the standoff.

Trump’s Nobel Bid

Peace Prize in our time!

President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025.

Trump Peace Plan to Be Implemented as Negotiations Continue

A pause in fighting, release of hostages, and then . . . ?

SCOTUS’s Last Chance to Save the Constitution

The term which kicked off this week wil decide whether we effectively have a king.

Judge Issues Second Order Against Sending Guard to Portland

She was not amused by the administration’s workaround.

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Judge Blocks Mobilizing Guard Against Portland Protestors

The decision “was not conceived in good faith.”

The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party. The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party.

Competitive Authoritarianism

A four-pronged test.

Sunday’s Forum

President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025.

Hamas Agrees To Release Hostages But Wants Further Negotiations

A No masquerading as a Yes to Trump’s peace deal.

President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump Declares War Against Drug Cartels

The obvious has been made expllicit.

SCOTUS Made Ending the Shutdown Harder

Passing a budget the President can ignore creates a dilemma.

Shutdown Forum

Trump’s Message to Generals and Admirals

A long and unusual speech has implications for civil-military relations.

President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025.

Trump Offers Hamas Take It Or Leave It Peace Deal

Netanyahu will take it.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during a War Department address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 30, 2025. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during a War Department address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 30, 2025.

Hegseth: Liberation Day for America’s Warriors

A reaffirmation rather than a revelation.

Shutdown Stupidity

Here we go again.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George honor the colors during the National Anthem at the 2025 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George honor the colors during the National Anthem at the 2025 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)

Hegseth and the Generals

A few more details have emerged.

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Zombie Democracy?

What democratic backsliding looks like.

Friday’s Forum

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George honor the colors during the National Anthem at the 2025 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George honor the colors during the National Anthem at the 2025 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)

Hegseth Calls Mystery Meeting of Top Brass

Every general and admiral in a command billet has been called for a last-minute gathering about some unspecified topic.

Kimmel’s Return Monologue

Department of Government Inefficiency?

It turns out that goverment workers served a useful purpose after all.

Charlie Kirk, Martyr

A massive memorial service showed two divergent paths forward.

Bizarre Conspiracies: USAID Edition

People are weird.

Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Charlie Kirk Was No Ezra Klein

When empathy goes too far.