Outside the Beltway

Some thoughts and links about the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela.

Have gubernatorial elections become more nationalized?

Was there ever a more tepid endorsement than “Joe Scarborough for President? Sure, Why Not?”

Afghanistan’s outgoing President says that his nation doesn’t need American troops to stay after the end of the year.

When will BG Jeffrey Sinclair get an effing haircut?

As everyone anticipated, the Crimean referendum came out in favor of secession from Ukraine and union with Russia. What happens next is another question entirely.

There are lots of different ways of looking at the situation in Ukraine—historical, game theoretical, and interpersonal perspectives.

Congratulations to Dave Schuler on a decade of blogging.

So, Dana Milbank has a column.

A Jewish-American OSS hero has been denied the nation’s highest military honor.

The president went there.

Being a public intellectual doesn’t pay.

Does one Special Election in Florida tells us anything about nationwide trends? Probably not.

Nora Caplan-Bricker contends that, “Mike Huckabee Could Be President—If Only He Wanted It.”

More on the pending referendum and some thoughts on elections in authoritarian contexts.

Why do dictators feel the need to pretend that they have the consent of the people over whom they rule?

The Supreme Court turns down a case dealing with student’s First Amendment rights.

Staff Sergeant William Guarnere, made famous by the “Band of Brothers” miniseries, has died aged 90.

Calling anyone a front-runner in a race where we’re still two years away from anyone casting votes is silly. Nonetheless, Rand Paul is an interesting guy to watch for those wondering if the GOP has actually changed.