3 Mistakes That Made Donald Trump
In an exclusive interview with Reason, Anthony Scaramucci identifies three Washington decisions that helped fuel the anger that Trump harnessed.
War on Terror
Anthony Scaramucci: How America Got Trump
Anthony Scaramucci discusses how China’s rise, the War on Terror, and the 2008 financial crisis fueled populist anger.
How 9/11 Remade American Immigration
Twenty-five years after the attacks, control and distrust rule the institutions that process foreigners who travel or immigrate to the United States.
A Somali Man With No Serious Criminal Record Is Spending 9/11 in Detention at Guantanamo Bay
Adam Abdullah was legally working in the U.S. when he was detained as part of "Operation Metro Surge" in the Twin Cities. His biggest criminal offense is a parking ticket.
How the War on Terror Turned 9/11 Into a Permanently Open Wound
The government ensured that there would be no end to the public's fears—and no real justice for bin Laden's victims.
Americans Have Learned Virtually No Lessons From 9/11
We still believe in the false promise of trading freedom for safety.
9/11 Turbocharged America's Worst Foreign Policy Impulses—but Didn't Change Its Direction
The United States' shift toward aggressive interventionism was well underway before the 2001 attacks.
Rubio Uses Terrorism Law To Ban Secure Email Service
The State Department doesn’t accuse Autistici/Inventati of doing anything more than providing "untraceable" email accounts. But that’s enough to outlaw it as a terrorist organization.
Last of the Neocon 'Three Amigos': Lindsey Graham Dies Unexpectedly
The one thing Graham was consistent about was his enthusiasm for foreign wars.
'Scrap It and Start All Over': Ex-Bush and Obama Officials Say the War on Terror's Powers Have Gone Too Far
In a rare display of candor, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson reflected on torture, Guantanamo Bay, and the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.
Is Ukraine Helping Al Qaeda Conquer West Africa?
The proliferation of drones to Malian rebels is a bizarre, unexpected form of blowback.
The U.S. Military Has Finally Left Syria
After considering a permanent U.S. presence, the Trump administration instead evacuated American troops once and for all.
The Rise of the Information State
Jacob Siegel discusses how the internet reshaped political power, the rise of technocratic rule, and why information control keeps failing.
Yes, the Iran War Is a 'War of Choice,' and a Bad One
Supporters of Trump's actions want to create an aura of necessity to shield the president from urgent criticism.
Here Are 5 Wars Trump Started or Expanded in 2025
The U.S. military is fighting or preparing to fight in more countries than it was when the self-proclaimed "peace president" took office.
Jake Tapper on Terrorism, Executive Power, and Venezuelan Boat Bombings
"Once a president establishes for himself that he has a shiny toy, good luck getting that toy ever wrested away from whoever the president is," the CNN anchor tells Reason's Nick Gillespie.
If the Syrian War Is Over, Why Are Americans Still Getting Killed in Syria?
The weekend’s ISIS attack came as the Trump administration is trying to expand the U.S. presence in Syria.
The Trump Admin Wants Western Union and MoneyGram To Report on Immigrants
An obscure bureau of the U.S. Treasury is using USA PATRIOT Act powers to sniff out under-the-table employment.
'Kill Everybody'
Plus: War with Venezuela looms, a National Guard member shot in D.C. dies, and Sean Duffy wants you to stop flying in your pajamas.
Dick Cheney, Vice President and Self-Described 'Darth Vader,' Was a Champion of the War State
The former vice president liked being compared to the supervillain as a joke. But he had seriously villainous effects on millions of people in real life.
Trump Dares Congress To Take Its War Powers Seriously in Venezuela
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
Why Does Trump Want U.S. Troops Back in Afghanistan?
Mike Waltz is no longer national security adviser, but his plans for Bagram Air Base seem to have stuck in the president's head.
The Government Was Lying to You About Afghanistan. Dan Krauss Has the Receipts.
Reason is sharing an exclusive clip from Bodyguard of Lies, an upcoming documentary about the failed war in Afghanistan.
Donald Trump Is Not a Peace President
Trump struggles to articulate any foreign policy view with much coherence, and has a fragile ego that makes world conflicts all about him.
What Does It Mean for Trump To Designate Antifa a 'Terrorist Organization'?
America doesn’t have an official list of domestic terrorist organizations, but the declaration could mean heavier political surveillance and RICO prosecutions.
U.S. Plan To Disarm Hezbollah Is a Diplomatic Dead End
Washington’s proposal to link Israeli withdrawals with Hezbollah’s surrender ignores decades of political entrenchment and risks fueling wider conflict.
Trump's Drug Boat Drone Strike Shows How 'Terrorism' Makes Everyone Killable
The logic of the war on terror means infinitely expandable government power.
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
From Terror Sanctions to Military Strikes? Trump's Cartel Policy Sidesteps Congress
Federal terrorist lists were not supposed to be an open-ended war authorization. But it sure looks like it’s being used as one.
Superman Is About the Anti-War Vibe Shift
Supervillains used to be foreign enemies. Now the villain is a defense contractor who wants to start a regime change war.
Bill Kristol Is Alarmed That a President Would Ship Accused Foreign Enemies to an Overseas Prison
The hawkish defender of Guantanamo Bay and the post-9/11 security state worries President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown is threatening civil liberties.
Vance Says Bombing Iran Is Different From Other 'Dumb' Presidents' Military Actions
On Sunday talk shows, the vice president made the case for bombing Iran—a notable shift from his previous anti-war rhetoric.
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.
Trump Declares the 'Neocon' Era Over
The president’s speech in Saudi Arabia promised a new course for U.S. policy in the Middle East. Can he deliver?
Trump Goes After Mexico by Designating Drug Cartels Terrorist Organizations
Designating cartels as terrorist organizations could allow the feds to prosecute people who pay protection money—and might pave the way for undeclared war.
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.
We Don't Need Terrorism Laws When Murder Is Already Illegal
The government has given itself special powers to deal with crimes that it could already prosecute.
The War in Gaza Is Far Worse Than You Thought
Researchers went back to check Palestinian casualty reports from October 2023. They found a deadlier month for civilians—and children—than any other chapter of the "war on terror."
Trump Appointees Kash Patel and Massad Boulos Are Not Neocons
Trump's picks for FBI director and Middle East adviser buck his trend of appointing superhawks.
The 'Day of Jihad' That Never Came
One year ago, political figures spread a false terrorism panic that made everyone less free—and incited violence against a child.
War Is a Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone
Washington risks Americans’ lives in wars of choice, then uses their deaths to justify more war.
The Military Tried To Hide Evidence of a Massacre. A Lawsuit Just Exposed It.
The New Yorker sued for photos of the Haditha killings in Iraq—and found audio of a Marine general bragging about covering up those photos.
Why Is the U.S. Military Buying Tinder Ads in Lebanon?
Uncle Sam is resorting to some unusual methods to support the Israeli war effort.
Iran Hawks Are Falling for the 'Evil Wizard' Theory of Geopolitics
Assassinating enemy leaders isn’t a silver bullet for solving international conflict.
Court Rules That the Government Can Hide Its Own Report on CIA Torture
The executive branch and the Senate have played hot potato with an infamous torture report, allowing the CIA to evade the Freedom of Information Act.
The 9/11 Plotters Should Have Been Found Guilty in a Real Court
War on Terror fears and the CIA’s torture program kept Khalid Sheikh Mohammed out of civilian courts—and prevented true justice from being served.
Will Biden Sleepwalk Into a War With Iran?
Israeli leaders have been betting on a U.S.-Iranian war for a while. After this week, it might be at their doorstep.
