Words matter. We need them to communicate meaning, and so others will understand the basis for our thoughts and actions. And when it comes to …
Continue ReadingThe Dangers of Escalation
The events of recent weeks have made it clear that President Trump is taking a far more aggressive approach in foreign policy than his predecessor. …
Continue ReadingSyria and the Danger of Elite Consensus
There was near consensus in Washington, D.C. last week in support of the U.S. strike on Syria. Voices from the left supporting Trump’s action include …
Continue ReadingMuch Ado about Doing Nothing in Syria
The Bashar Assad regime’s most recent chemical weapons attack in Idlib province killed dozens of people and injured many more. It was a cynical and …
Continue ReadingLessons from North Korea
In a successful test earlier this month, North Korea fired four missiles into the Sea of Japan, heightening concerns about its nuclear weapons program. As …
Continue ReadingObama a Restrainer? Think Again.
As we wait to see what shape President Donald Trump’s foreign policies will take, debate over former President Barack Obama’s legacy continues. Did Obama successfully …
Continue ReadingStronger Military, But at What Cost?
THROUGHOUT THE presidential campaign, Donald Trump consistently called for more defense spending to rebuild an American military he characterized as “in shambles” and “a disaster.” …
Continue ReadingRefugees, Immigration, and the Trolley Problem
During the presidential campaign Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, tweeted a picture of a bowl of Skittles candies along with the caption: “If I had …
Continue ReadingTrump, the Truth, and Terrorism
When President Trump rails against the news media and decries reports as “fake news,” he is beating a dead horse. American trust in the news …
Continue ReadingEarly Returns on President Trump
During Trump’s surprising presidential campaign, pundits became fond of pointing out that Trump’s supporters took his often-shocking rhetoric seriously, but not literally, whereas his opponents …
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