The Case for Expanding the Legal Definition of "Refugee"
The narrow definition allows governments to expel numerous migrants fleeing violence, terrorism, forced labor, and other severe oppression.
Foreign Policy
This Political Dissident Faces Death Threats if He Goes Back to Nicaragua. Why Was His Asylum Claim Denied?
Nicaraguan government operatives threatened Mario Rajib Flores Molina with torture and imprisonment. A new court ruling has revived his pursuit of asylum in the United States.
Elections Are Too Online
We can make our voting systems just a bit dumber and a whole lot safer.
World Food Supplies Are Enough To Feed Everyone
But despotic brutality is once again pushing millions to the brink of starvation.
Sanctions on Syria Aren't Punishing Assad. They're Hurting Syrians.
Piling on sanctions and blocking other countries' reconstruction efforts will only punish the Syrian people.
The U.S. Is Spending $130 Million a Day on Military Aid for Ukraine Without Meaningful Congressional Oversight
Lawmakers are avoiding important debates about America's role in the conflict and the potential for misuse of funds and weapons.
Biden's Summit of the Americas Was Over Before It Started
Biden's decision to exclude nondemocratic countries led to a boycott by allies.
America's Harsh Immigration Restrictions Mean Haitians Drown Trying To Get Here
Their deaths are the tragic, predictable consequence of shutting down safer migration paths.
The Ukraine v. Ukraine, Kiev v. Kyiv, Turkey v. Türkiye, Moscow v. Moskva
English names for foreign places have long differed, in many situations, from the local names. (And that's likely true of most languages.)
U.S. Spent Over $21 Billion on Afghan Police, Got 'Barely Qualified Mall Guards'
New SIGAR findings shine a light on America’s dysfunctional efforts to train the Afghan National Police, which “actually contributed to increasing criminality” in Afghanistan.
Ukraine War Unlikely to End Anytime Soon
Early and unrealistic hopes for a quick victory by Ukraine's forces over invading Russian troops have faded as the reality of an extended conflict sets in.
El Salvador's Latest Gang Crackdown Includes Human Rights Violations
President Nayib Bukele is using brutal tools to solve a problem driven partly by U.S. immigration policy.
New York's Body Armor Ban May Be Stupidest Gun Legislation Yet
Protective devices incapable of offensive use are now unavailable for legal purchase by New Yorkers.
Biden Says the Deficit Is Falling. Actually, It's Rising.
Under Biden, Trump, and Obama, government federal spending almost doubled.
Burn Pit Bill Creates Massive, Debt-Fueled Backdoor Expansion of the V.A. Health Care System
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans wouldn't have to show any link between their service and a long list of medical conditions to obtain government-funded healthcare.
Over 45,000 Americans Have Applied To Sponsor Displaced Ukrainians
In just over a month, the Uniting for Ukraine private sponsorship program has attracted huge support.
Today Marks 80 Years Since Congress Last Bothered To Declare a War
Presidents once treated congressional authorization as a requirement for the U.S. to enter conflicts. What went wrong?
House Resolution Seeks End to U.S. Military Involvement in Yemen
It signals that many in Congress still condemn America's role in the war and actions from the president that lack proper authorization.
James Kirchick: How Homophobia Warped the Cold War
The Secret City author explains how panic about homosexuality led to discrimination, bad policy, and, eventually, freedom.
Destroying Islamic Fundamentalism With Books
Ideas Beyond Borders is bringing ideas about pluralism, civil liberties, and critical thinking to hotbeds of Islamic extremism.
A Plague of Policymakers Returns Hunger to the World
Lockdowns, trade disputes, and warfare make the next meal once again a matter of concern.
A Double Standard Between Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees?
Critics allege, with some justice, that the Biden Administration is treating the former more favorably than the latter. If so, the right solution is to increase openness to Afghans and others fleeing war and repression, not bar more Ukrainians.
Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, Melissa Chen: Bringing Enlightenment Values to the Middle East
The co-founders of Ideas Beyond Borders talk about bringing Steven Pinker and John Stuart Mill to an audience dying for them.
A Classic Biden Gaffe Complicates U.S. Role in Taiwan
Will Xi Jinping just chalk up Biden's latest remarks as an accidental straying from "strategic ambiguity"?
Court Won't Let CDC End Migrant Expulsion Order Just Yet
Plus: Book bans come for Barnes & Noble, a blow to SEC enforcement power, and more...
Strict U.S. Immigration Laws Leave Migrants Dependent on Human Smugglers
Human smugglers at Mexican border won’t be sought after if migrants can come to the U.S. legally.
Blundering Into Escalation in Ukraine?
Plus: A listener asks if it’s possible for bureaucracy ever to be good.
What's Next for Russia's War in Ukraine?
There’s no endpoint in sight to a war that threatens widespread consequences.
Biden Is Right: We Shouldn't Restrict Americans in the Name of Liberating Cuba
A new White House policy faces one of the most malignant foreign policy objections: that it's not a magic wand for regime change.
Bitcoin: A Weapon for Peace in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Activist Fadi Elsalameen says U.S. aid doesn’t help Palestinians because of corruption. They need monetary freedom.
Don't Oppose Russian Authoritarianism With More Authoritarianism
Supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia doesn’t justify restrictions on speech and commerce.
America's Trade and Regulatory Policies Have Contributed to the Baby Formula Shortage
Why do we have tariffs on imported formula in the middle of a shortage?
Ukrainians Find Refuge in Previously Unwelcoming Places
Nearly 4 million people fled Ukraine in the first month after the February 24 invasion, and thousands have left each day since.
Military Drafts Loom Over Europe Thanks to Russia
International tensions empower politicians seeking to force the unwilling into government service.
Senate Committee Approves Climate Treaty
The pact will phase down the use of HFC coolants.
New Resolution Would Allow the President To Send U.S. Troops to Ukraine
Like AUMFs before it, Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s proposed authorization would lead to less transparency in conflicts and more unilateral decision making.
William Ruger on Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
Instituting a "no-fly" zone would be the U.S. "essentially going to war with Russia."
Biden Administration Takes Incremental Steps to Open Doors to Ukrainian and Russian Refugees
The new policies include private refugee sponsorship for Ukrainians, and a possible plan to facilitate visas for Russians with high-tech skills. But much more remains to be done.
How a Tiny Solar Company in California Might Convince Biden To Sabotage America's Whole Solar Industry
Tariffs requested by an "artisanal solar boutique" based in San Jose might jeopardize 45,000 jobs and halve America's future solar panel deployments.
Is Russia About To Expand Its Warmongering?
Russia’s threats to reach into Transnistria could be a cheap distraction or an expansion of the conflict.
After the War
In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it's time for Europe to step up and America to step back.
The World Is Back on a War Footing and We'll All Pay the Price
Mourn the end of a too-brief interlude of relative peace and prosperity.
Americans Can Now Sponsor Ukrainians for Temporary Refuge in the U.S.
Though the program has flaws, it’s an innovative way for private citizens to get directly involved in resettlement efforts for fleeing Ukrainians.
The $1.7 Trillion F-35 Fighter Jet Program Is About To Get More Expensive
GAO: Congress has been buying planes that lack crucial parts and haven't undergone full testing, so costly upgrades will eventually be needed.
Ukraine and Double Standards on Refugees
Critics are right to point out that some Western nations are treating Ukrainian refugees better than those fleeing similar horrific situations elsewhere. But the right way to address the problem is to increase openness to other refugees, not exclude Ukrainians.
Send The U.S. Military to Taiwan?
Brookings Institution senior fellow William Galston debates former State Department diplomat Peter Van Buren
Freedom Is a Victim of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
This war, like all wars, will invigorate the state and be deadly to liberty.
