The Qatar World Cup and Broad Drawing Conclusions From Unique Events
Sports fans enjoy watching sports. How much does politics impact that?
Iran Protests Intensity Highest Since 1979
The ayatollahs face the biggest challenge to their authority in the history of the regime.
The Arab Spring at 10
Tunisia is freer but poorer than it was before Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate act.
One Year Later, Mohammed bin Salman Still Getting Off Scot-Free In Khashoggi Murder
It’s been one year since Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, never to be seen in public again. We are no closer to justice in his case than we were a year ago.
Jamal Khashoggi’s Final Words Should Carry Far Beyond The Arab World
Jamal Khashoggi’s final column includes a message that should resonate far beyond the Arab world it was addressed to.
Once Again, There Are No Good Options In Syria. So Let’s Not Do Anything At All.
The United States can’t do any good in Syria, but we can do a lot of bad.
Most of West Africa Now Qualifies for Combat Pay
Service members deployed to Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, and Uganda qualify.
John Burgess, 1947-2016
I’ve made the sad discovery that longtime friend of the blog John Burgess passed away on February 16, 2016.
ISIS Expanding Its Base In Libya Despite U.S. Attacks
Despite American air strikes, ISIS is expanding its power amid the chaos in Libya.
French ‘Burkini’ Ban Provokes Backlash
For largely irrational reasons, French police are arresting women on the beach for wearing swimsuits that are compatible with their faith.
Egyptian Airliner With 66 On Board Crashes In Mediterranean Sea
An EgyptAir jetliner with 66 on board disappeared from radar just before beginning its decent into Cairo.
King Abdullah Of Saudi Arabia Dies At 90, Crown Prince Salman Becomes King
A big change in an important nation in the most volatile part of the world.
Rand Paul’s Foreign Policy Ideas Present An Opportunity For the GOP
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul continues to challenge Republican orthodoxy on foreign policy, and that’s a good thing.
‘Khorasan Group’ is US Creation; It’s Still Dangerous
The Khorasan Group is, functionally, al Qaeda. Or is it?
Yemeni Rebels Seize Portion Of Capital
While the world pays attention to Syria and Iraq, Yemen is once against lurching into chaos.
U.S. Evacuates Embassy In Tripoli Amid Renewed Violence
Add Libya to the list of the world’s trouble spots.
The End of History, Continued
Twenty-five years after his seminal “End of History” article, Francis Fukuyama reflects on its legacy.
Hillary Clinton Wasn’t a Horrible Secretary of State
Yet another autiobiography invites public discussion about her accomplishments.
Meet Egypt’s New Military Dictator
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is a name we’re likely to be seeing in the news for some time to come.
New York Times Benghazi Story Gets Some Political And Journalistic Push Back
The New York Times Benghazi report raises as many questions as it purports to answer.