Outside the Beltway

A blast from the past.

If it’s made in France, it’s “sparkling wine.”

Humanitarian instincts rightly trumped security concerns.

An unsatisfying first(?) response.

For anyone who might be interested.

We’re not getting Afghans—or even American citizens trapped there—out fast enough.

US health agencies are clashing with the World Health Organization on the question.

The mirage of semi-order faded quickly.

The right questions are: 1) why do some some on the right like him, and 2) should this concern us all?

The collapse is coming even faster than feared.

Hungary is part of a broader global trend, but the real issue isn’t Hungary, it is the Americans who praise Hungary.

Some recent news items that add to concern about American democracy.

The Philippine president is taking a novel approach to the problem.

Our last-ditch airstrikes only postpone the inevitable.

And so general discussion of vaccine passports and requirements in the US.

Part of a disturbing trend.

He was both the youngest and oldest man to run the Pentagon.

Or, you know, not.

Israel’s long national nightmare is over. Or is it?

A major first step to solving a longstanding global issue.

SLT talking Colombia.

What constitutes a “low income” or “high income” country?

Mostly about how not to do it.

The numbers are staggering and getting worse.

The US has more shots available than willing arms while those in the developing world are dying.

The President has overturned decades of US foreign policy and alienated a NATO ally for, well, reasons.

Yes, it’s complicated, but it is also time to stop relying on cliches.

President Biden has a second chance to do the right thing.

Iran’s top nuclear facility is offline again.

Stenography is not journalism.

A problematically wide-open election in difficult times.

More than 73 percent of Britons will be vaccinated or previously-infected by Monday.

Those expecting Bernie Sanders’ agenda are sorely disappointed.

At least 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca are sitting in American facilities unused.

The job losses and hit to the service sector is well documented. But trade has radically shifted, too.

It’s easy if you try.

The fecklessness of U.S. human rights policy in full display.

Aung San Suu Kyi and her top officials are under house arrest.

History has been made in more than one way.

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.

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

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

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

Most leaders ring up Joe.

The man behind the 1998 embassy attacks is dead.

A brief video that puts the US in broader context.

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

The stakes of losing will be catastrophic. Either way.

A little comparative politics.

Some recommended reading.