Outside the Beltway

For the first time in 35 years, the Senate may finally be on the verge of reforming the filibuster.

Is calling Côte d’Ivoire “Ivory Coast” linguistic colonialism? Where do we draw the line when English names for countries go out of vogue?

Judicial activism doesn’t mean “reaching a decision I don’t like.”

The battle over the individual mandate is really just nothing more than the latest round in a batter that has been ongoing for 221 years.

Statue of Liberty goes through airport scanner.

In her new book, Sarah Palin puts forward a view of the role of religion in politics that is in direct contrast with America’s own traditions.

A crippling, and technologically advanced, computer virus and attacks against Iranian nuclear scientists lead to only one conclusion; someone is doing everything they can short of military action to make sure Iran doesn’t develop nuclear weapons.

The diplomatic ramifications of the latest Wikileaks leaks are just starting to emerge and may place some countries in very embarrassing positions.

Less than expulsion, but more than a slap on the wrist. The House Ethics Committee recommends that New York Congressman be censured for cheating on his taxes and breaking the rules of Congress.

Some Republican Senators-elect are imploring Harry Reid not to consider any treaties during the lame duck session.

The cholera outbreak in Haiti continues unabated; riots against UN peacekeepers have broken out.

Charlie Rangel has been found guilty of 11 violations of House ethics rules.

NYT columnist Nick Kristoff says America’s income inequality makes us a banana republic.

Charles Murray argues that the Tea Party is right to complain about out-of-touch elites.

We already knew that Hamid Karzai was corrupt, now we know he takes bribes from the Iranians.

Apparently Juan Williams is really, really, really important.

High earners are going to have to pay more than our fair share of the costs of government to make things work. But how we frame the debate matters.

Daniel Larison’s “The Case Against NATO” makes compelling reading. In my New Atlanticist post “The Case Against the Case Against NATO,” I explain why it’s wrong.

What’s so wrong with saying that America will survive even if al Qaeda manages to hit us again ?

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels appears to be quietly putting together the beginnings of a campaign for President of the United States. Don’t count him out by any means.

Civilian control of the military means, oddly, that civilians control the military. And it means precisely that the military does not get to decide which civilians run the country.

Last night’s primaries continued the anti-establishment narrative we’ve seen so far this year, and put both of the statewide offices in Florida in play.

Every new report out of Iran seems to bring us closer to the moment when Israel has decided it’s heard enough. What happens if that day actually happens ?

The first in a multi-part series on the Electoral College.

The Electoral College is the worst way to elect a President, except for all the others.

The link between immigration and crime rates that many immigration opponents point to simply does not exist

It was another bad day for Charlie Rangel, but something tells me he’s going to be just fine.

Immigration “moderate” Lindsey Graham is suddenly sounding not so moderate.

Much to the disappointment of Ezra Klein and others, it’s unlikely that Democrats will have the votes necessary to change the filibuster when the 112th Congress convenes.

If Jon Kyl’s recent comments are any indication, Republicans haven’t learned their lesson just yet.

Let’s revisit the question of crime levels in Arizona.

Are the majority of illegal immigrants drug-runners? Arizona Governor Jan Brewer thinks so.