Outside the Beltway

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

President Trump’s sudden decision to withdraw troops from Syria isn’t receiving much public support.

As American forces retreat, Russia and Turkey are dividing up northern Syria like,well,a turkey.

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

So far at least, Elizabeth Warren is not doing a good job of articulating her foreign policy positions. That needs to change if she’s going to be a serious candidate.

American negotiators are claiming a ceasefire in northern Syria. The Turks, Syrians, and Russians are the winners, the Kurds are the losers, and we look like schmucks.

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

There’s no rational explanation for this.

Elizabeth Warren took most of the fire during last night’s fourth Democratic debate, which will likely go a long way toward winnowing down a crowded field.

Concluding thoughts (for the moment).

With twelve Democrats set to clash tonight in Ohio, it’s time to take a look at the state of the race.

As the Turkish invasion of northern Syria continues, Donald Trump responds with basically nothing.

Turkish forces advance, American forces retreat, the Kurds seek new allies, and Syria and Russia come out the winners.

Trump’s error in Syria.

Thinking about support for Trump and considering how recent events may influence that support.

President Trump is basically saying he does not care if ISIS prisoners return to Europe to commit terror attacks.

Trump makes a particularly dumb comment about our alliance with Syrian Kurds.

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.

President Trump’s latest Syria move is coming under heavy criticism even from fellow Republicans.

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.

While the world continues to evaluate the impact of Saturday’s attack on a Saudi oil facility, tensions in the Persian Gulf are increasing.

John Bolton was not a good National Security Adviser, but the real problem with Trump Administration foreign policy comes from the man at the top.

Iowa Congressman Steve King finds himself low on campaign cash and with virtually no support from his party.

Congressman Steve King has some rather unique views about human history.

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.

Tensions are increasing in the Persian Gulf thanks to a collection of actions by Iran, the United States, and United Kingdom.

The latest in the wars against liberalism.

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

A possible way forward?

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.

Benjamin Netanyahu named a town that doesn’t exist, and most probably will never exist, after the President of the United States.

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

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg laid out his foreign policy platform in a speech this week. It’s certainly an improvement over the current President.

This time on Venezuela

While the American media was paying attention to President travels and travails in Europe, there was another meeting taking place.

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

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.

While he campaigned on a message of restraint, Donald Trump has largely adopted the interventionist foreign policies of his predecessors.

All three children of the next head of the Army are following in his footsteps.

Former Vice-President Joe Biden is calling for an end to American support for the Saudi war on Yemen.

The Trump Administration’s policies toward Iran aren’t going to work, but that’s because they aren’t supposed to work.

Sunday’s attacks in Sri Lanka make it clear that the claim that ISIS has been defeated are nowhere close to being true.

ISIS is claiming responsibility for Sunday’s attacks in Sri Lanka, a strong sign that the claims by the Trump Administration that it had largely defeated the group were not true.

Pledges from wealthy men to help rebuild Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire is generating backlash.

President Trump has not surprisingly vetoed a Congressional resolution to limit American support for the Saudi war on Yemen. His defense for doing so is utterly absurd.

Steve King, who has recently come under attack for a long history of racist remarks, is facing a strong challenge for the GOP nomination in 2020.

Democrats in South Carolina seem to think they have a shot at beating Lindsey Graham in 2020. I wouldn’t be so sure of that.