Outside the Beltway

Does a determination that NSA data collection practices are likely unconstitutional mean that Edward Snowden’s actions were, in some sense, justified?

WSJ’s Marc Myers has a fascinating chat with Keith Richards on the making of one of the Stones’ iconic tracks.

Some 2000 veterans of World War II were lobotomized by the VA. That’s awful but not outrageous.

There are many choices in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program there are many choices, but some are better than others.

A third term for any of these guys? Don’t count on it.

The opponents of the temporary deal reached in Geneva have been making some ridiculous historical analogies.

Conservatives have their own Kennedy myth to compete with the myth of Camelot.

Phil Carter draws attention to “The Vets We Reject and Ignore.”

A bizarre hit piece in National Journal gives the false impression that our military leaders are considering removing the president.

It’s no wonder there’s no compromise in Congress.

NSA Director General Keith Alexander really doesn’t like the idea of a free press.

My review of Andrew Bacevich’s latest book, Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country.

One of the dumber aspects of the current shutdown repeats itself.

Presidents have gotten away with ignoring Congress when it comes to foreign military adventures for a very long time.

The VA created an incentive system that rewarded fast, half-assed claim processing that denied complicated requests.

West Point graduates account for nearly one in fifty deaths in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One of the nation’s papers of record is changing owners for the first time in 80 years.

Colonel Bud Day, who earned a Medal of Honor leading Vietnam POWs, had died, aged 88 years.

Chris Christie waded into the debate going on in the GOP over foreign policy. His comments were less than helpful to say the least.

The marriage equality battle is entering its next phase.

Some really bad advice for the GOP.

Focusing on Edward Snowden is largely a waste of time.

Rather than asking whether it was “worth it,” the important historical question regarding the Civil War is whether it could have been avoided.

An absolutely ridiculous criminal case out of West Virginia.

The infamous VA backlog is finally dwindling. Much of it was a function of good intentions.

The economy is so bad there’s a thriving business in tire rental.

Some interesting choices ahead for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

The story of an American Green Beret found living in Vietnam 44 years after he had been declared dead appears to be a hoax.

Chuck Hagel has countermanded his predecessor and canceled the Distinguished Warfare Medal.

If kids practiced French two hours a day . . .

Bill McClellan calls for ending military funeral honors for most veterans.

The Iraq War did significant damage to the legacy of the Republican Party.

A tendency to expand objectives mid-fight has seen America fail in its last four major wars.

The final release of President Lyndon Johnson’s tape recordings reveals a bizarre plot.

President Lyndon Johnson considered flying to the 1968 convention and offering himself up for re-nomination.

The GOP’s public image continues to be bad and there seems to be little sign that they’re doing anything to change that.

For the moment, Republicans appear to be blocking Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be Secretary of Defense but they don’t seem to know why they’re doing it.

A 5-year-old Alabama boy is safe after authorities killed his kidnapper.

Andrew Bacevich bemoans the social impact of the all-volunteer force.

The notion that guns prevent tyranny is based on fantasy and movies, not reality.

In “Veterans and Senate Buddies, Until Another War Split Them,” Elisabeth Bumiller profiles the relationship between Chuck Hagel and John McCain: