Biden’s Christianity, Lincoln, and the Truth of Who We Are

Biden’s America is a place and idea in which the trappings of empire or glory are ephemera in comparison with perennial human relationships—families; friendships; communities; schools; neighbors; partners.

Boxer’s Electoral Rebellion

A look back at the last time there was a challenge to a slate of electors.

The Arab Spring at 10

Tunisia is freer but poorer than it was before Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate act.

Biden to Name Blinken for State and Sullivan for NSC

The 46th President’s foreign policy team is taking shape.

Comparative Congratulations

Most leaders ring up Joe.

Al Qaeda Deputy Killed in Iran

The man behind the 1998 embassy attacks is dead.

Some Comparative Politics

A brief video that puts the US in broader context.

Sweden, Sweden, Sweden!

The data on Sweden and Covid-19 don’t fit the media narrative.

The Most Important Election in American History

The stakes of losing will be catastrophic. Either way.

Your Headline of the Week

A little comparative politics.

The Mundanity of Authoritarianism

Some recommended reading.

Considering US Attitudes toward Latin America

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

Latin America and Covid-19

The pandemic is having serious effects in the region, and they will persist for some time.

Harris and Racial Labels

There are different, and not equally good, reasons to talk about labels.

Brent Scowcroft, 1925-2020

The National Security Advisor to Presidents Ford and GHW Bush has died.

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks prior to signing H.R. 1957- The Great American Outdoors Act Tuesday, August 4, 2020, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour) President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks prior to signing H.R. 1957- The Great American Outdoors Act Tuesday, August 4, 2020, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

America’s Exceptional Failure

Our response to Covid-19 has been exceptional in all the wrong ways.

Intel Briefers Stopped Telling Trump about Russia

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

Remember Sweden?

One of these things is not like the others.

Black is Back

The evolution of America’s racial language continues.

Kosovo President and Opposition Leader Indicted for War Crimes

A reckoning for 2500 Kosovar Serb civilians who were slaughtered is at hand.

An Uncomfortable Comparison

Clips of recent police behavior reminded me far too much of scenes from authoritarian Latin America.

Sweden No-Lockdown Plan a Mistake

The architect of the plan admits he was wrong.

What We Don’t Know About COVID-19

Two new studies bring more questions than answers.

More on the Lack of a Rally Effect for Trump

Some global comparisons.

Pressuring Venezuela?

In recent weeks the US has ramped-up pressure on Maduro.

Hungary Goes Full Authoritarian

Orban has used Covid-19 to kill whatever vestiges of democracy remained.

UK PM Tests Positive for Covid-19

The PM and the Health Minister have both tested positve.

G-7 Statement Scuttled Because the US Insisted on Using Term “Wuhan Virus”

We are governed by the petty and myopic.

Prince Charles Has COVID-19

The 71-year-old heir to the British throne has tested positive and is in self-isolation.

USA Most Prepared Country for Pandemics

Despite our poor showing against COVID-19, we have the best infrastructure in place.

Kenny Rogers, Country Legend, Dead at 81

He was the king of crossover hits long before Garth Brooks.

No, Biden Shouldn’t Name His Cabinet Now

There’s very little upside.

Why Did Russia Start Oil Price War?

There are two theories, neither of them good.

Afghanistan Has Two Presidents

As if the country needed more turmoil.

SXSW Latest Victim of Coronavirus

Conferences, sporting events, and even school has been canceled to avoid spreading the pandemic.

Bernie Sanders’ Soviet Sister City

There’s nothing to see here, folks.

Turkey at War with Syria and Europe

President Erdogan is playing a dangerous game.

A Blast from the Past: CDC Funding

Looking back to a story from 2018.

Russia Bombs Turkish Troops in Syria

Because you needed one more thing to worry about.

Tuberville and Sharia Law

Speaking of xenophobia.

American Exceptionalism in Choosing the Head of State

We are truly exceptional in how we choose the president.

Rethinking Chinese Investment

Several trends are pointing in a new direction.

A Cartoon to Ponder

From the Freedom House “Freedom in the World 2019” report.

Pompeo on Iran and Ukraine

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

11 US Troops Injured in Attack Where No US Troops Were Injured

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

More on NATOME

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

The Childlike Foreign Policy Stylings of Donald J. Trump

A bold new plan for security in the Middle East.

Mike Pompeo Decides Against Running For Senate

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

Iran Announces End Of Restrictions Imposed By Nuclear Deal

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.