Outside the Beltway

A few Republicans have picked up on John McCain’s criticism of critics of the Libya mission as being “isolationist.”

For the second time in two weeks, copyright lawsuit mill Righthaven has suffered a loss in Federal Court.

Contrary to what Senator McCain, seeking realism in military policy does not make one an isolationist.

An ex-CIA agent says that someone in the Bush White House tried to use the agency to “discredit” Iraq War critic Juan Cole.

The Obama Administration tells Congress that it doesn’t need to comply with the War Powers Act because the Act does not apply to the mission in Libya.

WaPo’s Jackson Diehl asks, “Will the GOP nominate a dove?”

President Obama’s approval numbers shot up after Osama bin Laden was killed two weeks ago. They’ve already settled back to where they were

Newt Gingrich says the coming presidential election will be the most important since the Civil War.

Is the war in Libya illegal?

Technology has saved the lives of countless American soldiers. But it’s made going to war easier.

There are signs that the Ryan Plan isn’t playing well with the public.

One can almost hear the pitter-patter of American boots in the distance.

America’s war colleges have some problems but we can’t close them.

My first piece for The American Conservative, which they’ve titled “War Isn’t for Everyone–The military needs civilian control, not citizen soldiers,” is in the May issue.

The re-emergence of Obama foreign policy advisor Samantha Power to prominence has brought critics to the forefront

Todays’ horrific attack on the UN complex in Mazar-i Sharif may well the the Tet Offensive of Afghanistan: a relatively minor event that permanently changed the American public’s view of the war.

Tom Ricks doesn’t understand why we need an exit strategy in Libya.

When America’s leaders make the decision to engage in military action abroad, has the time for debate ended, or is it more important than ever that those with doubts about the policy speak out?

Operation Odyssey Dawn has resurrected the eternal battle over what limits there are, and should be, on the President’s ability to use military force without Congressional authorization.

Is Libya a war? Hell yes, Libya is a war.

While there are doubtless flaws with the journalistic values and culture of the New Media, we too often contrast today with a Golden Age of Media that never existed.

Did a unit in Afghanistan engage in an IO operation against U. S. senators?

The American right has become infected with the notion that Barack Obama isn’t just wrong, but evil. That won’t be healthy in the long run.

Ronald Reagan would have turned 100 today. Here are some thoughts on his legacy.

The American military personnel system works against keeping the best and brightest officers in the service.

John P. Wheeler III, chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund during the Ronald Reagan era, has been murdered.

The lawyer who argued The Pentagon Papers case points out how Julian Assange is not Daniel Ellsberg, and how prosecuting him could have disastrous results for press freedom in the United States.

A new Gallup poll reflects the declining role of religion in American public, and private, life.

Is Jon Stewart the next Edward R. Murrow? No.

WikiLeaker Bradley Manning has been held “under conditions that constitute cruel and inhumane treatment and, by the standards of many nations, even torture” for seven months and counting.

One of the most active American diplomats of the past twenty-five years has passed away.

Even though it will likely be unsuccessful, a primary challenge against President Obama could end up harming him enough to hand Republicans the White House in 2012.

According to a new Gallup poll, President Obama is not only less popular than George W. Bush, but the only president from the last half century less popular is Dick Nixon.

In my former home state of Alabama, Republicans won every major contest, save the one House seat specifically drawn to ensure a Democratic victory.

David Broder offers up some odd ideas on the relationship between a war with Iran and the economy.

To earn a Medal of Honor commit a multi-part act of near comic-book-style heroism and, more often than not, die. Pentagon committees then convene to determine whether your valor merits an award traditionally given for acts so brave that no one would have even thought to complain if the soldier had neglected to do them.

The military surge in Afghanistan appears to be having little impact on the Taliban.

Virginia’s answer to Joe Biden has put his foot in his mouth once again. It won’t prevent him from getting an 11th term.

Tom Brokaw notices something peculiar about the campaign debates: Nobody’s talking about Iraq or Afghanistan.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates acknowledged in a newly released letter that the Wikileaks Afghan War document dump wasn’t as damaging as the Pentagon initially claimed. So what was the uproar all about?

Arnold Schwarzenegger predicts President Obama’s re-election. Historically, that’s the safe bet.