Some Context on Turkey

Turkey has had along and ongoing struggle with democratic consolidation.

Susan Rice, Samantha Power, And Syria

How would the addition of Susan Rice and Samantha Power to the President’s foreign policy team affect policy toward Syria’s civil war?

Why NATO Isn’t Going to Fight in Syria

Syria isn’t Libya.

Turkey On The Brink?

Has the Arab Spring come to Turkey?

Syria’s Civil War Inspiring Sectarian Violence Outside Syria

Syria’s violence is slipping across it’s borders.That’s not good news at all.

Jean Stapleton,TV’s Edith Bunker, Dead At 90

Jean Stapleton, an accomplished stage and screen actress who achieved entertainment immortality playing opposite Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker’s long-suffering wife Edith, has died at the age of 90:

Subway No Better Than McDonald’s if You’re an Idiot

Shockingly, there are high calorie items on the menu at Jared’s favorite sandwich shop.

Bourbon Snobbery

The noted wine critic Robert Parker recently forayed into reviewing bourbon and came under intense fire from enthusiasts of American whiskey.

Was Obama’s Syrian “Red Line” A Mistake?

President Obama may regret drawing a line in the sand over Syrian chemical weapons.

Southerners Not Fat, Just Honest

Southerners lie about their weight–but not as much as those lyin’ Yankees.

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American Charged With Using Weapon of Mass Destruction that Isn’t a Weapon of Mass Destruction

An American fighting with Syrian rebels faces life in prison for firing an RPG against a government we’re trying to oust.

Turkey Embassy Bombing Not Another Benghazi

Ross Wilson, former US ambassador to Turkey, says yesterday’s suicide attack on our embassy in Ankara “was no Benghazi.”

Is Russia Preparing To Cut Its Losses In Syria?

Recent comments from Russian officials suggest that the nation may be preparing to cut its longtime ally loose.

NATO Patriots to Turkey for ‘Defensive Purposes Only’

NATO has agreed to deploy Patriot missiles along the Turkey-Syria border to protect Turkish airspace and territory, while making clear no escalation is intended.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Intervening In Syria Would Be Suicidal

President Obama is keeping the conflict in Syria at arms length. That’s a good idea.

No, We Should Not Arm The Syrian Rebels

The argument that the United States should start assisting the rebellion in Syria has many flaws.

Rand Paul Criticizes Romney’s Foreign Policy Speech

One of Mitt Romney’s own supporters didn’t like his foreign policy speech very much.

Even After Big Speech, Romney’s Foreign Policy Remains Vague

Mitt Romney’s speech at VMI today was billed as a major foreign policy address, but it was incredibly light on substance.

Turkish-Syrian Tensions Increase After Syria Shells Turkish Village

Turkey’s military has attacked Syria several times since Syrian forces shelled a Turkish village.

Romney’s Critique of Obama’s Foreign Policy Record Is Incredibly Weak

The Romney campaign’s critique of the President’s foreign policy record is weak, and based on bad history.

Politics and Political Science

It would be nice if people who make authoritative decisions had some idea what they are talking about.

Damascus Attack Kills Key Members Of Syrian Government

Several key members of the Syrian government were killed in a suicide bomb attack today in Damascus.

NATO Condemns Syria; It’ll End There

My latest for The National Interest, “Ankara Puts NATO on Speed Dial,” has been posted.

Why NATO Won’t Go To War Over Syria Shooting Down Turkish Jet

Following yesterday’s shoot-down of a Turkish F-5 by Syria has once again raised the specter of NATO action under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It’s not going to happen.

Russia And Syria: More Than Meets The Eye

The factors influencing Russian policy in Syria are many, and some of them are quite ancient.

Turkey’s Erdogan Cheapens NATO’s Core Promise

My latest for The National Interest, “Turkey Cries Wolf,” has been posted.

George Washington Named Britain’s Greatest Military Foe

American revolutionary leader George Washington has been voted the greatest enemy commander to face Britain, lauded for his spirit of endurance against the odds and the enormous impact of his victory.

China Will Continue Buying Iranian Oil

There’s a big hole in the latest sanctions against Iran.

President Ronald Reagan speaking at a Rally for Senator Durenberger in Bloomington, Minnesota, 8 February 1982 President Ronald Reagan speaking at a Rally for Senator Durenberger in Bloomington, Minnesota, 8 February 1982

Ronald Reagan and the Iran Hostage Crisis

Did Ronald Reagan’s impending inauguration help get our hostages released after 444 days?