National Security

US Special Forces in Africa

What’s the US Military Doing in Africa? What’s the US Military Doing in Africa?

If it were up to the Pentagon, we’d never find out.

Oct 26, 2022 / Nick Turse

A soldier prepares to launch a drone in Afghanistan.

What We Should Have Learned From the War on Terror What We Should Have Learned From the War on Terror

And what it can teach us about the future of the crisis in Ukraine.

Oct 21, 2022 / Karen J. Greenberg

Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman hits a grand slam home run

Want World Peace? Ban the Home Run. Want World Peace? Ban the Home Run.

The dream of the game-changing home run has shaped our approach to so much, from sports to geopolitics—most significantly, our ability to solve problems through reason and diplomac...

Oct 20, 2022 / Robert Lipsyte

Hypersonic missile russia

What Do We Do in a Rapidly Heating World? What Do We Do in a Rapidly Heating World?

The climate and geopolitics are only getting hotter—both urgent existential threats.

Oct 19, 2022 / Alfred McCoy

Joe Biden, left, fist bumps with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace.

The Saudi Regime Isn’t Afraid of Joe Biden The Saudi Regime Isn’t Afraid of Joe Biden

Despite widespread disgust at Saudi perfidy, odds are that crackpot realism will once again trump human rights—or even the national interest.

Oct 17, 2022 / Jeet Heer

Taiwan Strait Helicopter

Could the Fight Over Taiwan Trigger Nuclear War? Could the Fight Over Taiwan Trigger Nuclear War?

Ukraine isn’t the only place on the planet where a nuclear conflagration could erupt in the near future.

Oct 13, 2022 / Michael T. Klare

Embarrassed by Military Failures, Putin Takes Revenge on Ukraine’s Civilians

Embarrassed by Military Failures, Putin Takes Revenge on Ukraine’s Civilians Embarrassed by Military Failures, Putin Takes Revenge on Ukraine’s Civilians

Report from a city under attack.

Oct 11, 2022 / Leif Reigstad

How to Create a Nuclear Weapons Policy for the People

How to Create a Nuclear Weapons Policy for the People How to Create a Nuclear Weapons Policy for the People

Biden has the opportunity to draft a Nuclear Posture Review that is truly democratic.

Oct 10, 2022 / David Combs and Jasmine Owens

Afghanistan helicopter takes off

Is There Any Honor In War? Is There Any Honor In War?

It’s time for us to begin seeing war not as our making but our unmaking—as democracy’s undoing as well as the brutal thing it truly is.

Oct 7, 2022 / William Astore

Ukrainian soldiers adjust flag

Not Even Nuclear War Will Stop the Fighting in Ukraine Not Even Nuclear War Will Stop the Fighting in Ukraine

Kyiv deserves our economic support and military aid, but not American troops or nuclear ambiguity.

Oct 6, 2022 / Kai Bird for The Nation

x