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.

Kerry Lavrov Syrian Diplomacy

Kerry and Lavrov’s Syrian Diplomacy Shows (Once Again) the Value of Détente Kerry and Lavrov’s Syrian Diplomacy Shows (Once Again) the Value of Détente

Serious observers understand that working with Russia to ease Syria’s civil war is the only way to stop the crisis.

Sep 12, 2016 / James Carden

Hillary speaks at Commander in Chief Forum

NBC’s Farcical Commander-in-Chief Forum NBC’s Farcical Commander-in-Chief Forum

This was a big missed opportunity for the network—and for voters.

Sep 8, 2016 / James Carden

Washington Post building

Cyber Hacks: The Washington Post’s Baseless Crusade Against Russia Cyber Hacks: The Washington Post’s Baseless Crusade Against Russia

If you’re going to point the finger of blame at one country in particular you should have more, you know, proof. 

Sep 7, 2016 / James Carden

Rebels in Aleppo.

US Hawks Are Using a New UN Report to Call for a Wider War in Syria US Hawks Are Using a New UN Report to Call for a Wider War in Syria

The report’s claims that Assad continued using chemical weapons after committing to destroy them is being held up as the new casus belli.

Sep 1, 2016 / James Carden

Ukrainian Tanks

The US Defense Industry and the ‘Weaponization’ of American Foreign Policy The US Defense Industry and the ‘Weaponization’ of American Foreign Policy

When the US provides “security assistance” and exports weapons to places like Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, it often benefits nobody besides weapons manufacturers.

Aug 29, 2016 / James Carden

Donald Trump Youngstown

Trump’s Speech on Terrorism Was an Inexcusable Exercise in Scapegoating and Scaremongering Trump’s Speech on Terrorism Was an Inexcusable Exercise in Scapegoating and Scaremongering

From ISIS to the Iraq War to immigration—what wasn’t wrong about Trump’s speech.

Aug 18, 2016 / James Carden

Michael Hayden

Trump Opponents Hint at Sedition While Clinton Partisans Embrace the Neocons Trump Opponents Hint at Sedition While Clinton Partisans Embrace the Neocons

Regardless of who wins, this election has caused national-security experts to discard the traditional allegiances of the Iraq-War era.

Aug 15, 2016 / James Carden

Allen Speech Signs

The Temptations of Militarism: Gen. John Allen at the DNC The Temptations of Militarism: Gen. John Allen at the DNC

At last week’s DNC, General Allen’s speech was met with cheers and chants while his boisterous nationalism was left unchallenged.

Aug 1, 2016 / James Carden

Poroshenko NATO

‘Aggression’ May Be Threatening Europe—but NATO Is Looking for It in the Wrong Place ‘Aggression’ May Be Threatening Europe—but NATO Is Looking for It in the Wrong Place

As world leaders in Warsaw focus on Russia’s “aggressive actions,” Europe’s real problems go unnoticed.

Jul 11, 2016 / James Carden

Putin 2016

The Media’s Incessant Barrage of Evidence-Free Accusations Against Russia The Media’s Incessant Barrage of Evidence-Free Accusations Against Russia

In one month, its government has been accused of hacking the DNC, orchestrating the Brexit, tacitly supporting Trump, and more.

Jul 5, 2016 / James Carden

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