Congress Sanctions a Syrian Government That No Longer Exists
The Caesar Act was meant to punish Bashar Assad’s government. It’s now a serious obstacle to Syria’s reconstruction.
Russia
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.
What's Left For the U.S. To Do in Syria?
The Syrian civil war is over, at least for now. But the Biden and Trump administrations both seem keen on shaping the outcome—and U.S. partners are gearing up to invade.
Assad Gone at Last
Plus: AOC ascendant, China preps for tariffs, Haitian deportation, and more...
Belated Loosening of Restrictions on Ukraine Leaves World Stumbling Towards Greater Danger
Ukrainians may be too exhausted to benefit from the new rules.
Meet Trump's Incredibly Confusing New National Security Cabinet
Establishment hawks will be running the State Department and National Security Council, but Trump has peppered in some antiestablishment mavericks too.
Russian Court Denies Appeal of U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 12 Years for Donating $51 to Pro-Ukraine Charity
Ksenia Karelina was prosecuted as part of a larger “treason” crackdown that is unprecedented even by Russia’s illiberal standards.
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.
Sean Baker's Anora Is a Riotous Celebration of Working-Class Life
It's Pretty Woman for the modern age, and one of the best movies of the year.
Who's Gary Johnson Voting For?
The two-time Libertarian Party presidential nominee shares his thoughts on Chase Oliver and the election.
Held Hostage Overseas? The IRS Wants Your Back Taxes.
The IRS fines hostages for taxes they couldn't pay while they were detained. A bill in Congress is trying to fix this.
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.
What Libertarians Would Ask Trump and Harris at the Debate
Plus: A listener asks if rebranding tariffs as taxes would make any difference in reducing their appeal to politicians and voters.
The War on 'Foreign Influence' Has Become a War on the First Amendment
Go after bribes and espionage, but leave mere speech alone.
Why You Shouldn't Fret Much Over Russian Election Interference
Governments are always screwing with other countries' politics. It’s often ineffective.
Harris Attacks Trump for a Foreign Policy Proposal Backed by Her Own Advisors
Donald Trump believes that endless sanctions on Russia and Iran have serious downsides. So do Kamala Harris’ advisers.
Russian Influence Operation Allegedly Funded American Media Stars
Plus: Chinese "illegal agent" in New York's government, Netanyahu wants to take over Gaza humanitarian aid, and more...
The War in Ukraine Is Already Over—Russia Just Doesn't Know it Yet
A front-line report from the Kursk offensive reveals that in the battle for hearts and minds, Ukraine’s resolve outpaces Russia’s crumbling morale, signaling an inevitable conclusion.
Bomb the Drugs
Plus: Telegram founder arrested in France, "blue zones" may be a myth, and more...
Putin and the Ayatollah Wanted To Censor This App. Now It's Macron's Turn.
French police arrested Telegram founder Pavel Durov for failing to control his social media and messaging app.
Ukraine Is Safer If It Stays Out of NATO
Ukraine’s strategic advantage lies in its autonomy rather than playing into Putin's ploy.
Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich Released From Russian Captivity
Gershkovich was released Thursday in an elaborate prisoner swap involving two dozen prisoners from at least six countries.
RFK Jr. Pays Lip Service to the Debt While Pushing Policies That Would Increase It
It's good to hear a candidate actually talk about our spending problem. But his campaign promises would exacerbate it.
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.
Trump and Vance's Foreign Policy Is More War Disguised As Anti-War
Despite flirting with “America First” realism and restraint, the Republican ticket is all-in on the forever wars.
Why Can't Americans Have an Honest Foreign Policy Discussion?
War and peace are the most important decisions a country can make. No politician wants to level with Americans about it.
When a North Carolina Colonel Shot This Utility Worker, Journalists Suggested His Victim Was a Spy
The reaction to Ramzan Daraev’s death is an extreme example of anti-immigrant panic and national security paranoia.
The Maldives Banning Israelis Is a Disgrace
President Mohamed Muizzu cannot claim to be on the right side of history while adhering to a textbook definition of bigotry.
Israel Raids the Associated Press and Seizes Equipment Over War Coverage
There's no justification for cracking down on news organizations for reporting the news during war.
World War War III May Already Have Started—in the Shadows
Cyber intrusions, arson, bombings, and other mayhem feature in the conflict between West and East.
Tyrant Besties
Plus: Boobs in the portal, Michelin-starred tacos, Argentine labor laws, Gavin Newsom's replacement, and more...
Send in the Estonians?
Plus: Gaza's updated child-casualty numbers, Kamala Harris being a cop, birthrate worries, and more...
Victims of Communism Day— 2024
May Day should be a day to honor victims of an ideology that took tens of millions of lives. But we should also be open to alternative dates if they can attract broad enough support.
Building on the Success of Uniting for Ukraine
A new CBS article details the successes of a program enabling Americans to sponsor Ukrainian migrants fleeing the Russian invasion to live and work in the US.
Capitalism Makes Society Less Racist
In the Jim Crow South, businesses fought racism—because the rules denied them customers.
Democrats and Republicans Unite To Give Weapons Manufacturers $59 Billion
House Speaker Mike Johnson worked with President Biden to push through a $95 billion foreign military aid package—most of which goes to the American military-industrial complex.
China's Retribution
Plus: Homework liberation in Poland, Orthodox rabbi tells students to flee Columbia, toddler anarchy, and more...
House Passes REPO Act Giving President Authority to Confiscate Russian Government Assets in the US and Transfer them to Ukraine
It's a good idea that will hopefully be imitiated by our allies.
U.S. Defense Spending Continues To Spiral Out of Control
Increased spending does not automatically equate to higher quality—something that is often lost in this debate.
Cathy Young on Putin's American Fans
As she explains, admiration for Putin on the US right is rooted in a combination of illiberalism, nationalism, and cultural grievance.
The Islamic State's Moscow Massacre
Plus: Donald Trump's financial woes, Andrew Huberman's lady issues, and more...
Video of Marshall University Online Talk on "Putin's Western Supporters"
In the presentation I explain why Putin's regime appeals to these people, and how they compare with Western sympathizers with the USSR during the Cold War.
Bloodbath
Plus: Space dining, Russian elections, Bernie Sanders' 32-hour workweek, and more...
National Guardsman Gets 16 Years for Leaking Pentagon Docs Over Discord
Jack Teixeira shared documents on the war in Ukraine to a gamer group on Discord.
Border Pageantry
Plus: Putin threatens nukes, D.C. mulls a crackdown on theft, Bloomberg blames right-wingers, and more...
