Outside the Beltway

More security clearance problems for the White House.

Israeli police have recommended that charges be brought against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Whether that damages him politically remains to be seen.

More than a year into the Trump Presidency, dozens of White House personnel lack proper security clearances.

A Federal Judge In Kansas has blocked enforcement of a state law barring anyone who does business with the state from engaging in a boycott of Israel.

The Trump Administration has acted in a manner to create the impression that there is “no daylight” between the United States and Israel. This is a myth, and pursuing such a goal poses real dangers for America’s national interests.

America’s closest European allies are rebuffing the Trump Administration’s efforts to renegotiate the nuclear deal with Iran. They’re right to do so.

Americans were once largely united in their opinions about Israel and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. That’s not the case anymore.

While everyone is paying attention to the government shutdown, the Trump Administration is preparing for a never-ending, unwise, and unauthorized military commitment in Syria.

Anti-government protests are spreading in Iran.

Donald Trump’s Jerusalem decision reveals yet again that he is an appallingly bad deal maker.

A foolish, and potentially dangerous, decision by President Trump.

Senator Al Franken faces new charges of sexually inappropriate conduct on the same day that House Democrats are beginning to pressure one of their members to resign.

It appears that Rex Tillerson’s days at the State Department may be numbered, but his proposed replacement leaves a lot to be desired.

A horrible terror attack in Egypt.

A Los Angeles reporter says that Minnesota Senator Al Franken groped her and engaged in other inappropriate conduct during a 2006 USO tour.

It appears Russia attempted to influence last year’s Brexit vote in the same manner it did the 2016 election in the United States.

The capital of the purported caliphate declared by ISIS has apparently fallen, but that doesn’t mean the end of ISIS. In fact, it may make the group more dangerous.

Iraqi military forces begin to crack down against Iraqi Kurds after last month’s independence referendum.

Despite the fact that everyone seems to agree that Iran is complying with the nuclear weapons deal, President Trump took steps that will undermine that agreement and do serious damage to American credibility around the world.

Donald Trump continues to be as astoundingly ignorant about the most powerful weapons the U.S. military possesses as he was as a candidate.

Reports are indicating that President Trump will decertify the nuclear weapons deal with Iran. This would be a foolish and potentially dangerous mistake.

Tensions continue to rise between the White House and Foggy Bottom.

The U.S is joining the rest of the world in refusing to recognize the independence referendum conducted by Iraqi Kurds.

Progress in Saudi Arabia, but there’s still a long way for this backward, discriminatory society to go.

Kurds in Iraq voted overwhelmingly for independence in a non-binding referendum, and the result is threatening to create a new conflict in the Middle East.

Commerce Department figures report a measurable drop in international travel to the United States since the start of 2017.

In a marked departure from previous American Presidents, Donald Trump delivered a highly belligerent speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

Things are getting far more complicated on the Korean Peninsula. Diplomacy isn’t working, and a military option would most likely lead to disaster.

Donald Trump’s Presidency is young, but he’s already on track to become the biggest liar ever to occupy the Oval Office.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has a Trump family member in the cross hairs.

Reports are indicating that President Trump may cancel or delay his trip to the United Kingdom due to planned protests.

Despite campaign promises, President Trump won’t be moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem anytime soon.

A legendary statesman has passed.

President Trump’s speech on Islam was a change of tone. However, as critics noted, it was short on substance and is unlikely to accomplish anything.

Iranian voters have re-elected Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate whose election in 2013 was largely responsible for the shifts in policy that made the international agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear research program possible.

During the campaign, Donald Trump promised to undo the nuclear weapons deal with Iran. Now his Administration is signaling that, at least for now, the deal will stay in place.

Extolling an “eye for an eye” kind of justice is not in keeping with the ethics of Jesus.

Centrist candidate Emmanuelle Macron scored a decisive win over the far-right Marine Le Pen in today’s runoff round of the French Presidential election.

An assessment of the 45th President’s first 100 days.

Donald Trump seems to be surprised that being President requires actual work.

Inconceivably, Steve Bannon thought that clashing with President Trump’s daughter and son-in-law was a good idea. He’s likely learned his lesson now.

It’s not at all clear that there is a useful strategy at work here.

Rex Tillerson, “the phantom of Foggy Bottom.”