Defense Blames State for Afghan Fiasco

Their case is less than persuasive.

Worst Military Advice

President Biden was advised to keep troops in Afghanistan . . . for no apparent reason.

Milley and Woodward Revisited

A follow-up to yesterday’s analysis.

Milley’s Soft Coup

While well-intentioned, the Chairman’s actions were illegal and dangerous.

Afghanistan War’s Chaotic Ending

After 20 years, the conflict closes much as it began.

US Retaliates Against ISIL-K

An unsatisfying first(?) response.

Terrorist Strike Hits Afghan Evacuation

Thirteen Marines and dozens of Afghan civilians are dead in a much-anticipated attack.

Moulton and Meijer Make Unauthorized Afghanistan Trip

Grandstanding in the midst of chaos is a bad look.

US Racing to Meet Withdrawal Deadline

The evacuation could soon become a terrorist target.

The Afghan Evacuation Horror Show Continues

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

Biden Feared Political Backlash Over Bringing Afghans to America

A humanitarian crisis made worse by shameful delays.

A U.S. Marine opens the door as President Joe Biden prepares to disembark Marine One, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Antrim County Airport in Bellaire, Michigan. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) A U.S. Marine opens the door as President Joe Biden prepares to disembark Marine One, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Antrim County Airport in Bellaire, Michigan. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden Blamed for Afghan Fiasco

The collapse is not his doing. But he’s accountable for the poor planning.

Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021. Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021.

Mandatory Military Vaccinations Expected

It appears to be only a matter of time before the SECDEF orders active-duty troops to get the shots.

Afghan War: Twenty Years For Nothing

Our last-ditch airstrikes only postpone the inevitable.

Americans Sneak Out of Bagram in Darkness

A shameful exit from an ill-conceived war.

Donald Rumsfeld, 1932-2021

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

No, Flynn Shouldn’t be Court-Martialed

Retired generals are no longer in the military.

Who’s to Blame for the War Dead?

The answer seems simple but it isn’t.

Marine Corps Major Arrested for Capitol Riot

A serving officer was arrested for his part in events of 6 January

Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army) Cadets participate in the Class of 2019 Graduation Parade, May 24, 2019, at West Point. (Matthew Moeller/Army)

Thomas: Overturn Feres Doctrine

The Supreme Court justice least concerned with precedent wants to overturn a longstanding one.

Biden Strikes Bipartisan Tone

The President used his first speech to Congress as an attempt to unite the country.

Defining ‘Extremism’ in the Military

It’s harder than a looks, especially given the limited size of the problem.

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Defense Department and ‘Extremists’

New screening procedures follow a Department-wide stand-down.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Liberals Upset Biden Foreign Policy is Biden’s

Those expecting Bernie Sanders’ agenda are sorely disappointed.

President Joe Biden walks along the Colonnade of the White House Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, en route to the Oval Office. President Joe Biden walks along the Colonnade of the White House Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, en route to the Oval Office.

Biden’s Slow Start?

What’s taking him so long?

Reporting and Commentary Should Remain Separate

There’s more than enough opinion journalism.

George Shultz, 1920-2021

The longtime public servant has died, aged 100.

The Pendulum Is Broken, Not Swinging

Historical precedents fall apart when we’re in a truly unprecedented time.

The Smoothest Transition in Decades

We’re witnessing something not seen since 1989.

Return of the Technocrats? Or Sinking in the Swamp?

Policy wonks are seeing a refreshing return to the normal order. Some believe that’s a bad thing.

Lloyd Austin Confirmed as SECDEF

History has been made in more than one way.

National Guard Sleeping in a Garage!

What we have here is failure to communicate.

Why Was Capitol Security Inadequate?

A large, well-trained police force was unprepared for a foreseeable crisis.

Congress Certifies Biden Win

It’s finally officially official.

Lame Duckin’

As expected, the Congress has overridden his veto of the NDAA.

Trump’s Final Meltdown

The President of the United States is an existential threat to the Republic.

Guardians of the High Frontier

Space Force took a year to decide what to call their uniformed members.

Biden’s Team Shaping Up

Some square pegs are being forced into some round holes for the sake of inclusion.

No to Austin

My latest for Defense One.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Gen. Lloyd Austin Biden’s SecDef Pick

Not another general.

Biden’s Defense Secretary

My latest for Defense One.

Biden Considering Lloyd Austin for SECDEF?

Yet another retired general in the post would be a bad idea.

Rethinking Flournoy as SECDEF

Women in national security circles love this woman.

Biden SECDEF Pick on Hold?

Maybe it’s not going to be Michèle Flournoy after all.

Pentagon Policy Chief Ousted

The purge of non-loyalists continues.

Trump Fires Esper, Names Acting SECDEF

A lame duck President has fired his Secretary of Defense and replaced him in probably violation of the law.

Joint Chiefs in COVID Quarantine

Because of course they are.

Trump Saves ‘Stars and Stripes’

The venerable military newspaper lives to print another day.

SCOTUS Refuses to Block Trump’s Illegal Wall

The Supreme Court isn’t taking much of a break this year.

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Pentagon Training IDs Press as ‘Adversaries’

The reporting demonstrates the uncomfortable truth.