Bowe Bergdahl Trial Delayed Until 2017, But Donald Trump Could Wreck The Entire Case

Bowe Bergdahl’s Court Martial has been delayed until 2017, which raises the possibility that comments by Donald Trump could result in Bergdahl getting off scot-free.

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President Obama Submits Quixotic Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay Prison

The President has another plan to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It’s as likely to be well-received on Capitol Hill as all of his other previous plans on this issue.

U.S. To Deploy Troops To Combat Areas In Afghanistan, Reversing Policy

American forces will be deployed to a combat area in southern Afghanistan, reversing current policy and calling the President’s promised withdrawal date into even further doubt.

Tensions Rise Between Saudi Arabia And Iran In Wake Of Saudi Executions

The execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric has led to a rapid deterioration of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Bowe Bergdahl To Face Court Martial For Desertion, Endangering U.S. Troops

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will face a Court Martial for the circumstances that led to his being capture and held captive by the Taliban for five years.

President Obama Likely To Leave World In As Bad A Shape As He Found It, If Not Worse

President Obama came to office inheriting the legacy of one unnecessary war, and another that had faded from memory. He will leave office with Iraq and Syria in crisis, Europe uneasy, Yemen and Libya unstable breeding grounds for terrorism, and China doing whatever it is they’re doing.

U.S. To Halt Withdrawal Of Forces From Afghanistan

The plan to withdraw nearly all American forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2016 is being put on hold.

Obama Considering Plan To Keep U.S. Troops In Afghanistan Past 2016

President Obama is reportedly considering a plan that would keep up to 5,000 American troops in Afghanistan past the withdrawal date he had already set.

Taliban Capture Major Afghan City For First Time Since 9/11

The Taliban dealt a major defeat to a numerically superior Afghan Army force, raising questions about just how well Afghanistan can defend itself on its own.

Afghan Army Not Doing So Well Against The Taliban

The Afghan Army isn’t doing so well against the Taliban right now.

Putin Using Fear Of ISIS To Enhance Russian Influence In Central Asia

A well-founded fear of ISIS seems to be drawing many of the former Soviet Republics in Central Asia closer to Moscow.

Donald Trump Is Running For President, And Nothing Makes Sense Anymore

We live in a random and chaotic universe.

U.S. Forces In Afghanistan Involved In More Than Just Counterterrorism Despite Obama’s Promises

U.S forces in Afghanistan have been involved in missions that go far beyond the counterterror mission the Obama Administration said they would be limited to.

Bowe Bergdahl Charged With Desertion, Other Offenses As White House Narrative Collapses

Bowe Bergdahl will face charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, and the White House’s narrative about this release lies in tatters.

ISIS is What it Says it Is

The Atlantic has a fascinating cover story by Graeme Wood titled “What ISIS Really Wants.”

Report: Bowe Bergdahl To Be Charged With Desertion, Unlikely To Serve Time In Prison

Reports indicate that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is likely to be charged with desertion for leaving his post in 2009, but he’s unlikely to serve time in prison.

Army Investigation Of Bowe Berghdahl Referred To Top General

The Army’s investigation of the disappearance five years ago of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been referred to a top General, who will decide if a court martial should be convened.

Iraq And Afghanistan Wars Cost $3 Trillion

The costs of more than a decade of war are far higher than many ever thought, and we’re still paying the price for the fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush Administration while they were being fought.

Taliban Attack On Pakistan Kills Up To 126, At Least 100 Children

A day of terror at a school in Pakistan.

America’s 500th Drone Strike

The shocking has become routine. We’re no safer because of it.

Quietly, Obama Decides American Forces Will Continue To Engage In Combat In Afghanistan After 2014

You thought the American combat role in Afghanistan would end on December 31st? Think again.

US, UK Declare Victory in Helmand and Go Home

We’ve handed off operations in Helmand Province to the Afghanistan army.

The Case Against Repatriating Museum Artifacts


Who should own antiquity?

‘Khorasan Group’ is US Creation; It’s Still Dangerous

The Khorasan Group is, functionally, al Qaeda. Or is it?

Hamid Karzai Blasts United States In Farewell Address

Before leaving office, Hamid Karzai is once again biting that hand that has fed him for the past decade.

We Don’t Need No Stinking Strategy

Obama’s current policy—tactical level strikes with no obvious long-term strategic aim—may well be the best we can hope for.

GAO: Obama Broke The Law In Bergdahl Release Deal

The General Accounting Office confirmed what seems clear to anyone who can read a statute.

Afghans Agree To Changes In Government In Deal To Resolve Election Dispute

The various factions in Afghanistan have agreed, at least in principle, to alter the nation’s government as part of a deal to resolve election disputes.

Ashraf Ghani Declared ‘Winner’ Of Afghan Election Plagued By Fraud Allegations

There’s a declared winner in Afghanistan’s Presidential Election, but a cloud hangs over the results.

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South Dakota Republican Party Endorses Impeachment Of President Obama

The South Dakota Republican Party has officially endorsed the impeachment of President Obama.

Obama Should Own Bergdahl Decision

My latest for War on the Rocks, “HAGEL: CLIMBING OUT FROM UNDER THE BUS,” has posted.

Public Skeptical Of Bergdahl Deal

Thanks largely to Administration mistakes, the Bergdahl deal is not going over well.

The Right Way To View The Bowe Bergdahl Deal

Trying to make some sense out of a week of outrage.

Maybe It Should Have Been Easier For Bowe Bergdahl To Get Out Of Combat

If someone had seen the signals, perhaps Bowe Bergdahl never would’ve wandered off base and gotten captured.

Yes, We Do Negotiate With Terrorists

Contrary to the oft-repeated slogan, the United States has negotiated with terrorists before. And we will do it again.

What Bowe Bergdahl Deserves

Not every soldier is a hero. Not even every POW.

Did Obama Violate The Law With The Bergdahl Release? It Sure Seems Like It

Good intentions aren’t an excuse for failure to follow the law.

Army Will Investigate Desertion Charges Against Bowe Bergdahl

It’s good that Bowe Bergdahl is free, but questions remain about how he went missing that need to be answered.