Outside the Beltway

John Bolton is leading a cry for preemptive war against North Korea.

Continuing a long-standard tradition, the Trump Administration claims it doesn’t need to get legal authorization to keep American troops in Syria.

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.

With the Administration set to commit the United States to a forever war in Syria, it’s time for Congress to act.

A preemptive attack on North Korea would be illegal, immoral and, most importantly, insane.

The Justice Department appears to be on the verge of charging Russian government officials in connection with election-related hacking.

Donald Trump is undermining his own Secretary of State’s efforts on North Korea, and he doesn’t seem to care.

Arguments advanced by those advocating a bill that would prevent Americans from participating in a boycott of Israel would not violate the First Amendment appear to be without merit.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke suggests building Trump’s Wall on Mexican territory.

Despite campaign promises, President Trump appears to be putting off any immediate decision on the location of the U.S. Embassy to Israel.

This will get people killed. Quite likely, including American citizens.

Three of the top four national security positions in Donald Trump’s Cabinet will be filled by retired Generals. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.

President Obama’s ISIS policy has been far from perfect, but to call him a “Founder” of ISIS is to ignore both history and reality.

Ten American sailors detained by Iranian forces late Tuesday were released early today, something that seems to clearly demonstrate the value of diplomacy.

With little actual debate and despite Paul Ryan’s promise of a return to ‘regular order,’ the House has passed a hastily drafted bill in response to the largely fear-based response to Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Syrian refugees have quickly become political footballs in the United States in the wake of the Paris attacks, and it’s become an exceedingly shameful display of pandering and fearmongering by a group of largely Republican politicians.

The news that at least some of the men who were involved in the terrorist attacks in Paris were among the refugees who have arrived in Europe since the summer is likely to complicate an already complicated situation.

The final effort to block the Iran Nuclear Deal failed in the Senate yesterday, meaning that the deal will now move forward.

What now?

A dark and regrettable time in American history is finally seeing the light of day.

Sweden is set to recognize Palestine as an independent state.

The Administration’s policy in the President’s war against ISIS has no coherent plan, and that virtually guarantees escalation.

17-year veteran of the LAPD says, “If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me.”

Once again, President Obama’s attempt to communicate a foreign policy vision falls short.

Not surprisingly, Russia’s acquisition of Crimea comes with quite a potential bonanza in natural resources.

:Like his predecessors, President Obama’s speech last night exaggerated the threat that Syria poses in order to sell his plan to American voters.

President Obama’s plans in Syria are as unclear as they were before he spoke last night.

I’ve been up since 3 am and drinking since 6 pm, so my reaction to a presidential war speech at 9 am may not be the definitive word

Why are chemical weapons a “red line” in a war where so many have been killed?

The United States will go to war without UN or NATO approval.

There’s more than one way to look at the civil war in Syria.

John Kerry’s speech was the crossing of the Rubicon for US military action in Syria.

As President Obama’s red line has been crossed more brazenly, he continues to sound reluctant to intervene in Syria while positioning forces to do just that.

The infamous “red line” may not have been crossed after all. At least not by the Assad regime.

A new report confirms that the United States did engage in torture in the wake of the September 11th attacks.

The scandal now surrounding David Petraeus should lead people to reassess his past record.

Osama’s driver, who was convicted of only technical crimes, has had his conviction overturned on a technicality.

Turkey’s military has attacked Syria several times since Syrian forces shelled a Turkish village.

An attack on Iran’s nuclear program would be far more complicated than a one-off attack.

There is a disturbing trend in Western nations toward enforcement of laws against “insulting” religions.

My first piece for The New Republic, “Why the Obama Administration’s Drone War May Soon Reach a Tipping Point,” is up.