How Elite Special Operations Troops Created a Drug Cartel
A bizarre criminal conspiracy in the ranks of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg
Afghanistan
Flickers of Hope for Afghans Caught in Legal Limbo
A federal court clears the way for a broader legal challenge to Trump’s refugee policies, even as Afghans in the U.S. face detention, expired protections, and rising fears of deportation.
Afghan Allies Under Pressure to Self-Deport: Voices from Camp As Sayliyah
"We have no criticism of the U.S. government—on the contrary, we are truly thankful. However, we are deeply afraid of the possibility of being returned to Afghanistan."
The U.S. Is Closing Every Door on Afghan Allies
Afghan prosecutors, interpreters, and other U.S. partners are being evicted, abandoned, or forced back into Taliban hands.
A Brief, Bloody History of All the Times the U.S. Caused Chaos in the Middle East
The conflict with Iran is the latest in a decadeslong series of regime change operations, long-term entanglements, and all-out wars that always seem to invite more problems.
VIDEO: Masked ICE Agents Arrest Afghan Ally Following Immigration Court Hearing
Sayed Naser worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, fled after the Taliban killed his brother, and was awaiting asylum. ICE agents still took him in handcuffs—and the government won’t explain why.
U.S. Abandons Afghan Allies as Trump Administration Shuts Down Resettlement Programs
The State Department is eliminating the CARE office and ending the Enduring Welcome program, stranding U.S. allies who risked their lives and were told America would protect them.
The Taliban Banned Chess
Since retaking power, the Taliban has banned certain music, barred women from parks, and now outlawed chess. Authoritarians don’t just crush dissent—they criminalize joy.
Trump Seeks to Deport Afghans Who Fled the Taliban
Lifting TPS status would make them eligible for deportation to Afghanistan, where the Taliban is likely to persecute and punish them.
Reason Nominated for 17 Southern California Journalism Awards
Nominees include stories on inflation breaking brains, America's first drug war, Afghans the U.S. left behind, Javier Milei, and much more.
Pakistan Deports Afghans Awaiting U.S. Resettlement
Afghans who fled Taliban rule with hopes of U.S. resettlement now face detention, extortion, and forced return.
Did Mike Waltz Just Go Down John Bolton's Path?
Trump has hired a notorious hawk as his national security adviser—and fired that adviser after getting in the way of delicate diplomatic talks—in each of his two terms.
Washington's Broken Promises Leave Afghan Allies in Limbo
But volunteers are stepping up even as Congress fails to act.
Afghan Refugees Stuck in Limbo as USRAP Suspension Defies Court Order
Afghan legal professionals face deadly threats, but a federal injunction and a last-minute boarding letter helped one family escape. Thousands more remain in limbo.
Trump's ICE Detains Afghans Who Helped U.S. Forces
A former Afghan intelligence officer who worked alongside U.S. forces sought safety in America. Now, under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his parole has been revoked, and he’s been detained without explanation.
5 of the Worst USAID Scandals in History
The agency's low points, from working with child sex abusers to enabling drug trafficking
Trump's Foreign Policy Is a Lot of Noise
It’s hard to tell how serious his threats are—and maybe that’s by design.
The White House's 'Feverish Dream' About $50 Million for Condoms in Gaza
The Trump administration made an extreme claim about wasteful foreign aid that just wasn't true.
Was the Las Vegas Bombing a Case of the Afghan War Coming Home?
Matthew Livelsberger’s alleged manifesto highlights an infamous U.S. drug raid.
Biden's Transformation From a Dove to a Hawk
From Afghanistan to Ukraine to Israel, Biden's was a presidency defined by contradictions on peace and interventionism.
Trump's Reported National Security Advisor Supports Bombing Russia and Afghanistan
Mike Waltz has called for a “credible military option” against Iran, wants to “take the handcuffs off” Ukraine, and regrets ending the "multi-generational war" in Afghanistan.
Harris and Trump Say They Want Peace. But Neither Has a Plan.
Kamala Harris couldn’t realistically say how she would end the war in Gaza, and Donald Trump couldn’t realistically say how he would end the war in Ukraine.
The Best of Reason: The Afghan Allies Left Behind in the Graveyard of Empires
Thousands of people who helped the U.S. in Afghanistan are still looking for an escape.
The Afghan Allies Left Behind in the Graveyard of Empires
Thousands of people who helped the U.S. in Afghanistan are still looking for an escape.
Biden Brags That 'the United States Is Not at War' As He Bombs Yemen
The wars aren’t over. America is still fighting—directly and indirectly—in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
Biden's Race-Ending Debate Performance Was So Bad That It Eclipsed Trump's Flagrant Falsehoods
Voters should not dismiss the former president's utter disregard for the truth as a personal quirk or standard political practice.
Trump Wishes Americans Stayed in Afghanistan To Fight China
The president who helped end America’s longest war now regrets leaving behind U.S. bases.
Review: Blowback Podcast Exhumes the Seeds of the Afghan Conflict
Hosts Noah Kulwin and Brendan James explain how proxy war fighters can become America's enemies.
How Obama Gave Trump the 'Military-Age Males' Talking Point
The same tactics used to justify drone strikes are now being used to demonize immigrant men.
Overview of the Successes and Limitations of Private Migrant Sponsorship Programs
Reason immigration writer Fiona Harrigan surveys the growth of private migrant sponsorship programs. They have had impressive successes, but still suffer from unfortunte limitations.
Biden Touts More Forever Wars, Breaking His 2021 Promises
In his State of the Union address, Biden promised indefinite U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and beyond.
Annie Duke: Quitting Is Totally Underrated
The psychologist and poker champion says too many of us don't understand the power of knowing when to walk away.
Great Moments in Unintended Consequences (Vol. 13): Gun Buybacks, Poppy Payday, CAFE Standards
Good intentions, bad results
Review: The Covenant Dramatizes the Plight of Afghan Interpreters
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in a film that criticizes the U.S. immigration system.
Can Traditional Legal Customs Coexist With Western-Style State Law?
Geoffrey Swenson’s book Contending Orders tackles Afghanistan and Timor-Leste.
Time to Pass the Afghan Adjustment Act
Congress should grant permanent residency to Afghans who came to the US fleeing the fall of their country to the brutal Taliban regime.
Jacob Siegel: 'Disinformation' Is the Hoax of the Century
From Russiagate to COVID discourse, elites in government and the media are trying to control and centralize free speech and open inquiry.
Biden Administration Plans to Extend Residency and Work Permits for Afghans Who Came to US Under Parole Status
The policy will protect thousands of Afghan refugees against imminent prospect of deportation. Same should be done for Ukrainians and others admitted to US using the parole power. But a permanent solution to this problem requires Congress to pass an adjustment act.
My New Boston Globe Article on the Urgent Need to Pass Legislation Granting Permanent Residency Rights to Ukrainian Migrants and Others Admitted by Using the President's Parole Power
This can easily be accomplished by Congess enacting an adjustment act.
Biden's Foreign Policy Is Adrift
His State of the Union address sketched a foreign policy that is reckless on some points, relatively restrained on others, and utterly uninterested in any real resolution to America’s lingering military entanglements.
New House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul Is a Standard Old-School Interventionist
Kevin McCarthy's pick to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee evades any post-Trump humbleness in foreign policy.
The U.S. Is Entangled in Ukraine for the Long Haul
Accountability, diplomacy, and planning are essential for preventing a forever proxy war.
Saving Nezam From the Taliban
Green Beret Scott Mann suffered severe trauma following his three tours in Afghanistan. He never wanted to have anything to do with country again. Then his friend Nezam called to say that his life was in danger.
Welcome to the Post-Post-9/11 Era
But a few remnants of post-9/11 foreign and domestic policy still need to be thrown out.
How To Waste $1 Trillion
Why should we believe that this boondoggle will produce better results than hundreds of other corporate welfare programs?
