Retirements Are Making GOP Control Of House More Precarious

The numbers aren’t looking good for Republican prospects in this year’s midterm elections.

Trump To Recognize Jerusalem As Israeli Capital, Breaking Decades Of U.S. Neutrality

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

American-Backed Forces Capture Raqqa, But ISIS Is Far From Defeated

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.

Trump And Putin Had Previously Undisclosed Meeting At G-20

Is there anyone in the Trump Administration or family who hasn’t held undisclosed meetings with Russians?

Trump Signs Waiver Of Law Requiring Move Of U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

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

Zbigniew Brzezinski Dead at 89

A legendary statesman has passed.

The Power of Primaries

As usual, an attempt to explain congressional behavior brings us back to the issue of our basic institutions. The way we elect congress matters.

Policy Analysts From Left, Right, And Center Criticize House GOP Obamacare Replacement

Health care policy analysts seem united in their assessment of the House GOP’s replacement for the Affordable Care Act, and it’s overwhelmingly negative.

Trump and the Presidential Daily Brief

Delegating the morning briefing to advisors isn’t actually that unusual.

Joe Biden For Secretary Of State?

According to reports, Vice-President Biden is on a Clinton campaign short list for Secretary of State.

What Does The Success Of Brexit Tell Us About Donald Trump’s Chances? Pretty Much Nothing

Many pundits are arguing that the victory for ‘Leave’ presages good news for Trump in November, but there’s no reason to believe that.

The Quixotic Quest for the Radical Center

Americans don’t trust their government or each other. There’s no reason to hope it’ll get better.

Is Syria Already A Quagmire For Putin?

Some analysts are already suggesting that Russia’s two month old intervention in Syria is becoming a quagmire. That seems to be a premature judgment, but it’s not accomplishing much more than anything the West is doing.

San Bernardino Leaves Anti-Terror Policy In Disarray As Obama Prepares To Address Nation

The attack in San Bernardino has seemingly left the Administration’s anti-terror strategy in disarray, so the President is addressing the nation tonight to say, well, something I guess.

Obama’s Rhetoric On The Iran Nuclear Deal Is Needlessly Confrontational

President Obama’s confrontational approach to opponents of the Iran Nuclear Deal ignores legitimate questions.

The Prison-Industrial Complex

The problem goes beyond the War on Drugs.

More Immigrants To The U.S. Come From China And India Than Mexico

The sources of new immigrants to the United States are changing, but it’s unclear if that will have any impact on the political debate over immigration reform.

President Obama Supports Mandatory Voting, And He’s Wrong To Do So

President Obama thinks that it would be a good idea if everyone were forced to vote. He’s wrong, and his idea is most likely unconstitutional.

ISIS is What it Says it Is

The Atlantic has a fascinating cover story by Graeme Wood titled “What ISIS Really Wants.”

IR TOs WH NSS

Most in the international relations community are not amused by the president’s National Security Strategy.

Republicans Seek To Use Budget To Block D.C. Marijuana Legalization

The budget bill Congress set to pass Congress would effectively reverse the will of the voters of Washington, D.C., who just voted to legalize marijuana.

Oil Prices Have Been Falling For Months, And That’s Likely To Have Wide Repercussions

Quietly, oil prices have been falling for months now. That’s potentially a very big deal.

Yemeni Rebels Seize Portion Of Capital

While the world pays attention to Syria and Iraq, Yemen is once against lurching into chaos.

Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, addresses a crowd of U.S. Marines and Sailors at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan Dec. 23. Amos expressed his admiration to the service members for their accomplishments and dedication to supporting the ongoing counterisurgency mission, especially while deployed during the holiday season. Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, addresses a crowd of U.S. Marines and Sailors at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan Dec. 23. Amos expressed his admiration to the service members for their accomplishments and dedication to supporting the ongoing counterisurgency mission, especially while deployed during the holiday season.

The Commandant Didn’t Say What Everyone Says He Said

My latest for War on the Rocks: “Don’t Believe Everything You Read in the Papers.”

ISIS Declares Caliphate, Renames Itself ‘Islamic State’

Is ISIS’s reach about to exceed its grasp?

As Militants Advance, Iraqis Look To U.S. For Help

The Iraqi government seems to be panicking.

What Will The GOP Do If It Wins The Senate?

It might not be pretty.

So Far, The Military Coup Looks Like It Will Be A Disaster For Egypt In The End

Nearly six months later, it’s hard to find any good in the July military coup in Egypt.

On Iran, Diplomacy Beats Containment, And Containment Is Smarter Than Military Action

There are many choices in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program there are many choices, but some are better than others.

US Orders Airliners to Comply with Chinese Notification Demands

Even as it defies China’s illegal territorial claims with military flights, the Obama administration is urging US airlines to comply.

U.S. Freezes A Portion Of Military Aid To Egypt

The U.S. sends a mostly weak signal to the Egyptian military.

This is How Legislative Blackmail Becomes a Real Crisis

Not raising the debt ceiling will create a true constitutional/legal crisis.

Another Month, Another Disappointing Jobs Report

The American jobs market continues to disappoint.

Air Force Can’t Find Drone Pilot Volunteers

The Air Force can’t find enough people to volunteer to fly remote controlled planes.

Ten Years After McCain-Feingold, More Money In Politics Than Ever

The 10th anniversary of McCain-Feingold teaches a lesson we should already have learned.

On The Coup In Egypt And The Future Of Democracy

The events of the last week in Egypt raise a whole host of questions.

The Day After In Egypt

Egyptians celebrated last night, but the future is far from clear.

Millions Of Egyptians Protest Morsi Regime As Military Sets Deadline For Action

Yesterday saw some of the biggest protests ever to rock Egypt. Where does it go from here?

Republican Bill Could Eliminate Most Economic Statistics

A new GOP would make it very difficult to get a good read on the state of the nation’s economy.

Black Voter Turnout Higher Than White Voter Turnout In 2012

2012’s election represented a significant change in voting patterns in the United States. What’s unclear is if the change is a permanent one.

North Korea’s Bluster: How Should We Respond?

So what, exactly, is going on in North Korea? And how should we respond to Kim’s bluster?

Social Class and Higher Education

A rich child is 45 percent more likely to earn a four-year college degree than a poor one.