James Carden

James W. Carden is a contributing writer for foreign affairs at The Nation. He served as a policy adviser to the Special Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Russia Affairs at the US State Department.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on Iran

The Dangerous and Shortsighted Push to ‘Contain Iran’ The Dangerous and Shortsighted Push to ‘Contain Iran’

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2016 would set the stage for the US to conduct a wider war against the Assad regime, pulling resources away from the fight against ISIS.

Nov 18, 2016 / James Carden

Vladimir Putin, 2014.

Now That They’ve Been Proven Wrong, Will Putin’s Demonizers Apologize for Their Slanders? Now That They’ve Been Proven Wrong, Will Putin’s Demonizers Apologize for Their Slanders?

Probably not. Blaming the Russian president for everything is now a national hobby, the facts be damned.

Nov 15, 2016 / James Carden

Donald Trump press

American Political Journalism and the 2016 Campaign: Hysteria Over Evidence, Logic, and Facts American Political Journalism and the 2016 Campaign: Hysteria Over Evidence, Logic, and Facts

Journalists are relying on anonymous sources to push sensationalistic claims.

Nov 3, 2016 / James Carden

Obama’s Foreign Policy: A Hostage to Bipartisan Consensus

Obama’s Foreign Policy: A Hostage to Bipartisan Consensus Obama’s Foreign Policy: A Hostage to Bipartisan Consensus

He may have criticized the “Washington playbook,” but he couldn’t overcome DC's interventionist orthodoxy.

Oct 26, 2016 / Feature / James Carden

Trump Clinton Debate

Last Night’s Ugly Debate Reminded Us That ‘Lesser Evil’ Sums Up This Election Last Night’s Ugly Debate Reminded Us That ‘Lesser Evil’ Sums Up This Election

At least there’s only a few weeks left until we can all concentrate on more important things.

Oct 10, 2016 / James Carden

Rubble in Aleppo

War Hawks Are Sensing an Opening in Syria War Hawks Are Sensing an Opening in Syria

Yet the horrific tragedy now unfolding is partially the result of the West’s support for the overthrow of Syria’s secular government by radical Sunni fundamentalists.

Oct 6, 2016 / James Carden

Syria Damascus airstrike

The Obama Administration’s Suspension of Syria Talks With Russia Is the Most Dangerous Development in a New Cold War The Obama Administration’s Suspension of Syria Talks With Russia Is the Most Dangerous Development in a New Cold War

The collapse of talks takes the United States one step closer to an unnecessarily deadly “military solution” to the Syria crisis.

Oct 3, 2016 / James Carden

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken

The US-Russia Backed Cease-Fire in Syria Hangs in the Balance: Will Cooler Heads Prevail? The US-Russia Backed Cease-Fire in Syria Hangs in the Balance: Will Cooler Heads Prevail?

The only way to end the conflict is through a political settlement, which House Democrats now are wisely urging on the administration.

Sep 30, 2016 / James Carden

presidential_debate_16_rtr

On Debate Night in America, Democracy Is Spectacle On Debate Night in America, Democracy Is Spectacle

Are we electing a president or someone to play-act the part of president?

Sep 27, 2016 / James Carden

Libya rebel soldier

The UK’s Devastating New Report on NATO’s Regime-Change War in Libya The UK’s Devastating New Report on NATO’s Regime-Change War in Libya

The report is a convincing indictment of the UK’s civilian and military leadership in 2011—and our own.

Sep 19, 2016 / James Carden

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