Oct 31, 2019
When Trump says that he wants to end the forever wars, large parts of the public agree.
Oct 24, 2019
Political protests are caused by a strange combination of factors, dashed expectations, rising inequality, persistent corruption and a deep sense of frustration. But they always become more likely when growth sputters.
Oct 18, 2019
Regardless of whether the ceasefire holds, the Turks describe it as a 'pause' in their operations, President Trump has allowed Turkey to unleash its forces on Syria, resulting in the abandonment of the Syrian Kurds.
Oct 11, 2019
Trump is on a different planet. He has refused to comply with wholly constitutional legislative requests for documents, information and testimony. He has diverted money toward a project clearly not funded by Congress, and reportedly promised pardons for officials who might break the law.
Oct 4, 2019
Xi Jinping is trying to hold it together and maintain control over a dynamic society without provoking a backlash. That is why, with all the military power on display, Xi has been wary about using any of it to quell the riots in Hong Kong.
Sep 27, 2019
Political parties used to act as gatekeepers and norm-setters, keeping out populists and demagogues and forcing their members to adhere to certain rules. But parties are old-fashioned institutions, unable to stay strong in an age of entrepreneurial politics.
Sep 20, 2019
The Trump administration's strategy, such as it is, appears to have been to double down on pressure on Iran, force other nations to abide by America's unilateral sanctions, and bet that this would cause Iran to capitulate. But the goal of the pressure was never clearly outlined.
Sep 13, 2019
foreign policy is about long-term relationships, not about solo transactions. Both sides have their own politics and constituencies. Each needs to be able to say it has achieved success. If Trump can stomach that, he could emerge with an actual foreign policy win.