Outside the Beltway

Pondering lack of US interest in our friends to the south.

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

President Erdogan is playing a dangerous game.

Looking back to a story from 2018.

Speaking of xenophobia.

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

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

More on presidential nonsense with a brief diversion into blogging philosophy.

A bold new plan for security in the Middle East.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has decided against running for Senator Kansas, decision that could force the GOP to defend an otherwise safe seat.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu easily survived a challenge for leadership of the Likud Party.

Notwithstanding Russia’s weak position vis a vis the west, It’s Putin who seems to be winning.

Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a challenge for the leadership of the party he’s headed for more than a decade.

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

Questions linger after a shooting leaves three people and the shooter dead in an incident at one of the nation’s largest Naval facilities.

President Trump has put his son-in-law in charge of building the border wall.

After a year of controversy and investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicated on charges of fraud and bribery.

Blue & White Party Leader Benny Gantz was unable to form a new government, throwing Israel into another political crisis.

Reversing decades of policy, the Trump Administration reversed decades of policy on settlements in disputed territory.

As American forces retreat, Russia and Turkey are dividing up northern Syria like,well,a turkey.

ISIS is quickly taking advantage of the abrupt American withdrawal from northern Syria.

So far at least, Elizabeth Warren is not doing a good job of articulating her foreign policy positions. That needs to change if she’s going to be a serious candidate.

As the vultures continue to circle above the White House, the President continues to lash out.

Turkish forces advance, American forces retreat, the Kurds seek new allies, and Syria and Russia come out the winners.

Thinking about support for Trump and considering how recent events may influence that support.

The United States is withdrawing its small force from Northern Syria, clearing the way for a Turkish invasion that will likely
aim to wipeout the Kurdish forces in the region.

It’s been one year since Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, never to be seen in public again. We are no closer to justice in his case than we were a year ago.

An empty column with a seed of one good point buried in a bunch of nothing.

With election results showing his Likud Party falling short of a majority, Benjamin Netanyahu is joining his chief rival in vallsfor a unity government. Getting there would be complicated, though,

Well that didn’t take long.

President Trump has named his fourth National Security Adviser in less than three years.

As many expected, the initial returns from the Israeli elections are too close to call.

As the Saudis continue to evaluate the impact of the weekend attack on a major oil facility, the Trump Administration tones down the anti-Iran rhetoric just a bit.

While the world continues to evaluate the impact of Saturday’s attack on a Saudi oil facility, tensions in the Persian Gulf are increasing.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a massive attack on an important Saudi oil facility.

Faced with an election next week, Israel’s Prime Minister is pushing a settlement plan that would be an utter disaster.

For Donald Trump, the Presidency has been nothing but a get richer quick scam.

Iowa Congressman Steve King finds himself low on campaign cash and with virtually no support from his party.

President Trump continues to have an odd obsession with nuclear weapons.

And what a week it has been.

Republicans from around the country want Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to run for Senate in Kansas. Because they’re afraid they can’t win without him.

Another day, another Trump temper tantrum.

Part 2 of 2.

Tensions are increasing in the Persian Gulf thanks to a collection of actions by Iran, the United States, and United Kingdom.

The House of Representatives passed a defense spending bill that seeks to limit Presidential authority when it comes to striking Iran and aideing the Saudi war on Yemen.