Outside the Beltway

Republicans used to honor the men and women who serve our country. In the Trump Era, they attack them in defense of the President.

Against the advice of his top military advisers, President Trump has cleared three American soldiers of war crimes, sending a horrible signal to the world and to the troops in the field.

Suicide has become a bigger threat to members of the military and veterans than combat. That needs to change.

Revisiting a recent post.

There’s apparently big news in the fight against ISIS.

The GOP’s efforts to defend the President are becoming more desperate and pathetic by the day.

A top U.S. diplomat involved in Ukraine policy confirmed the existence of a quid pro quo regarding U.S aid to Ukraine.

ISIS is quickly taking advantage of the abrupt American withdrawal from northern Syria.

As the vultures continue to circle above the White House, the President continues to lash out.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate comes from a part of the world that most people almost never think about.

Just days after President Trump agreed to remove American forces from the scene, Turkish forces are entering northern Syria and Kurdish forces say they ar ready for war.

The United States is withdrawing its small force from Northern Syria, clearing the way for a Turkish invasion that will likely
aim to wipeout the Kurdish forces in the region.

Greg Sargent usefully lays out the basics.

Just days before he repeatedly pressured the President of Ukraine to reopen a closed investigation involving the son of former Vice-President Biden, President Trump suspended military aid that had been authorized by Congress.

As the Saudis continue to evaluate the impact of the weekend attack on a major oil facility, the Trump Administration tones down the anti-Iran rhetoric just a bit.

Eighteen years after the September 11th attacks, it’s becoming harder to remember what the world used to be like.

The Air Force’s use of Trump hotels predates his presidency—but is still highly problematic.

The Trump Administration from projects to build on-base schools and daycare facilities to spend on his border wall.

For Donald Trump, the Presidency has been nothing but a get richer quick scam.

Another day, another Trump temper tantrum.

A Federal Judge in Washington has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the DNC alleging a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election.

President Trump’s nominee to be the next Director of National Intelligence is quite simply not qualified for the position he has been nominated to.

Once again, President Trump can’t help but make something meant to recognize real American heroes all about himself.

The Supreme Court handed the President a victory last night, ruling that the Plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging his funding of the border wall did not have standing to challenge his diversion of Defense Department funds. This may only be a temporary victory, though.

Mark Esper has been confirmed and sworn in as the next Secretary of Defense, ending a period of nearly 100 days during which the Pentagon was headed by a succession of Acting Secretaries.

President Trump and the Congressional leadership have reached agreement on a multi-year budget deal that that busts through all remaining controls on spending.

Trump’s self-congratulatory July 4th nonsense bankrupted the District of Columbia’s security fund, now they’re seeking reimbursement.

Adm. William Moran had been set to become Chief of Naval Operations in three weeks.

The Pentagon has been headed by Acting Secretaries for an unprecedented period. Does it really matter?

The Trump Administration unveiled new sanctions against Iran yesterday. They’re unlikely to accomplish the entirely unrealistic goals the President claims to have in mind.

Trump and Iran.

Just days after being named the next Acting Secretary of Defense, the President is appointing Mark Esper to be full Secretary of Defense.

The planes were apparently in the air, and the ships in position, for an American attack on Iran last night. Then the order to pull back came in.

Patrick Shanahan is out as nominee to be Secretary of Defense after questions were raised during his background investigation.

As we head toward a potential crisis in the Persian Gulf, the consequences of the President’s lies are coming home to roost.

Tensions are increasing in the Persian Gulf as the Iran war hawks seem to be winning the battle for the President’s support.

A new report in The New York Times raises both national security and Constitutional concerns.

It’s been three months since the White House held a press briefing. Meanwhile, the President continues his unhinged attacks on the media.

A misleading, annoying media trope that needs to go away.

A Federal Judge has put at least a partial hold on President’s Trump’s effort to use a “national emergency” to fund his border wall.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been indicted on seventeen counts under the Espionage Act arising out of his role in the Chelsea Manning affair.

Not surprisingly, Chelsea Manning is headed back to jail for her refusal to answer questions before a Federal Grand Jury investigating Julian Assange and Wikileaks.

Chelsea Manning, who was being held in jail for refusing to comply with a Grand Jury subpoena, was released yesterday but it’s likely to only be a temporary freedom.

Patrick Shanahan, who has been serving as Acting Defense Secretary since James Mattis left in December, is being selected to replace Mattis in that position.

The Trump Administration is taking an unnecessarily militaristic approach toward Iran, and that poses real dangers for the country and for the Middle East.

The raw number of vessels is not the best metric of naval power.

Lacking any real support from the military or police, the attempted coup against Nicolas Maduro has predictably failed.

The U.S. military will no longer release reports regarding the success, or failure, of the current strategy in Afghanistan.

Matt Bernius and I collaborated on an essay for Defense One.

The Wikileaks founder has been detained by London authorities after 7 years hiding in Ecuador’s embassy.