National Security

trump press conf

Trump’s Military Ambitions Could Be Bad News for the Infrastructure He Promised to Improve Trump’s Military Ambitions Could Be Bad News for the Infrastructure He Promised to Improve

Proposed hikes in Pentagon spending wouldn’t just be a foreign-policy blunder—they would also accelerate inequality at home.

Feb 2, 2017 / William D. Hartung

Spicer press conference

The History of the State Department’s Dissent Channel—and How Trump Is Trying to Squelch It The History of the State Department’s Dissent Channel—and How Trump Is Trying to Squelch It

If the administration continues this crackdown, we may soon find out what a nation without career diplomats looks like.

Feb 1, 2017 / Hannah Gurman

Ukrainian Armored Vehicle

The Friends and Foes of Détente The Friends and Foes of Détente

The January 28 phone conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin signified their quest for a new détente, and its enemies quickly struck back.

Feb 1, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Trump’s Harvest of Shame Trump’s Harvest of Shame

The goal of his Muslim ban is to stampede the public into accepting even more extreme measures in the name of self-defense.

Jan 31, 2017 / William Greider

Mosul fight against ISIS

Trump’s Muslim Ban Hurts US Troops and Helps Islamist Extremists Trump’s Muslim Ban Hurts US Troops and Helps Islamist Extremists

The president has enraged Middle Eastern allies who are carrying the brunt of the fight against ISIS.

Jan 30, 2017 / Juan Cole

BRICS leaders at the summit

The Liberal, Postwar ‘Order’ Is Dying—and That’s a Good Thing The Liberal, Postwar ‘Order’ Is Dying—and That’s a Good Thing

Decades of unchallenged pre-eminence have left Americans fearful of change but also greatly in need of it.

Jan 25, 2017 / Patrick Lawrence

Putin 2016

Incessant Kremlin-Baiting of President Trump Is a Threat to US National Security Incessant Kremlin-Baiting of President Trump Is a Threat to US National Security

Allegations that the president is a “puppet of Putin” could prevent him from making decisions in America’s best interests.

Jan 25, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s Strategy? Destroy the International Community in Order to Save It. Donald Trump’s Strategy? Destroy the International Community in Order to Save It.

The new president has a wrecking ball, and “internationalism” is written all over it.

Jan 24, 2017 / John Feffer

Turkey President Erdogan

A Match Made in Hell: The Budding Bromance of Trump and Erdogan A Match Made in Hell: The Budding Bromance of Trump and Erdogan

Can two power-hungry egomaniacs forge a lasting alliance? Much depends on an extradition request, and whether Trump will continue the alliance with Syria’s Kurds.

Jan 24, 2017 / Anna Lekas Miller

This Is How the New Cold War Turns Hot

This Is How the New Cold War Turns Hot This Is How the New Cold War Turns Hot

American journalists keep saying Alexander Dugin is Putin’s ideological adviser. One problem: He's not.

Jan 24, 2017 / Jeffrey Sommers

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