In Afghanistan, Keep Your Eye on the Exit

by Ambassador Richard Boucher

The President’s announcement of his strategy for Afghanistan opens a new era for the 16-year war, yet most of the rhetoric and strategy matches that of two previous administrations. He identified...

No Way to Convince Kim to Give Up Nukes

by Michael J. Morell

One of the key responsibilities of the Intelligence Community is to provide the president with the other guy’s perspective.  How does he/she see the world and the issues?  What is the person’s...

Intel Sharing Critical as Terror Strikes Another NATO Ally

by Lisa Monaco

As a close counterterrorism partner of Spain, the United States will be active in the ongoing investigation into the terrorist attack in Barcelona and any connected incidents. At least 13 people...

Donald Trump Can Learn from Teddy Roosevelt’s “America First”

by Ambassador Richard Boucher

In the early days of our republic, George Washington warned against “entangling alliances.” In 1821, after strenuous debate, John Quincy Adams decided not to speak in favor of Greek Independence...

Dereliction of Duty II: The Afghanistan Years

by Kevin Hulbert

There has been a lot of writing lately on Afghanistan as the new administration struggles with what do to there, just as the previous administration struggled mightily to define both the mission and...

Focus on Clear Goals to Contain Iran in Iraq and Syria

by Ambassador James Jeffrey

With the liberation of Mosul from ISIS and the impending conquest of the “Caliphate” capital Raqqa, the U.S. is at a decision point in the Middle East. But it does not yet have a coherent...

“Dispatches from Hell Before Breakfast”

by Mark Kelton

President Donald Trump is not the first American public figure to go to war with the press, nor is he the most extreme in his views.  Even without benefit of Twitter, the antipathy of Union General...

No One Makes Money by Betting Against Hong Kong

by Ambassador Richard Boucher

For the seven million people of Hong Kong, living next to a rising China, this year marks three important anniversaries.  Most commentary focused on the Handover 20 years ago when Hong Kong went...

The Lessons of Five Decades of Foreign Service

by Ambassador James Dobbins

U.S. ambassador to the European Union, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, envoy to Kosovo, Bosnia, Haiti, and Somalia: James Dobbins has had years of experience representing U.S....

Is Artificial Intelligence an Existential Threat?

by Doug Wise

It is not unusual for disrupting technologies to be embraced and feared—and not necessarily in that order. That was and will continue to be true for all technologies that bring both benefit and...