Author Archives: Peter Van Buren

2018 Is Going to Be Another Rough Year for Democrats

Trump’s election was not the wake-up call for smug liberals that many thought it would be.

The Mob Vetoes Ann Coulter

Free speech is messy, and it is our essential defense against fascism, whether from the left or the right.

Does It Matter Who Pulls the Trigger in the Drone Wars?

Drone strikes require deeper reforms than changing which officials approve a “kill list.”

10 Things the Media Will Get Wrong About Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration

A State Department veteran clarifies what is and isn’t unprecedented about the travel ban.

State of Irrelevance

Secretary Tillerson will lead diplomats increasingly on the sidelines of foreign-policy decisions.

Presidents, Profits, and Princes

Clinton supporters have a new fantasy of bringing down Trump with the Emoluments Clause.

How to Delegitimize a President

Attempts to overturn the election threaten to undermine the tradition of peaceful transfer of power.

What Trump Could Do With Executive Power

Obama will hand the new administration an unprecedented amount of presidential prerogatives.

A Tale of Three Foundations

Carter’s, Clinton’s, and Trump’s.

How Did We End Up With Such Unpopular Candidates?

They are us.

Apologizing to My Daughter for 15 Years of War

She won’t be able to escape “terrorism.”

Unpacking the DNC Emails

It’s not a coup; it’s a surrender.

Hillary Isn’t a Lock

Don’t forget she is running for office while under investigation by the FBI.

Our Snapchat Wars

There are things we’ve forgotten that couldn’t matter more.

Back to the Future on Foreign Policy

Five urgent questions that were ignored in the 2012 debates—and are being ignored now

How to Fight ISIS—and How Not to

What presidential aspirants from both parties need—but don’t want—to hear.

Locals Won’t Fight America’s War

Neither Kurd, nor Turk, nor Sunni or Shia share Washington’s priorities about the Islamic State.

How the U.S. Wrecked the Middle East

A once stable region descends into chaos thanks to continuing repercussions from the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Iran and America: The Big Picture

What the deal means for the region’s calculus of power.

Five Already Failed Iraq Tactics

Washington’s definition of success requires all players to act against their own interests to achieve U.S. aims.

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