The Kurds’ Long Fight for Independence Is Coming to a Head
A landmark referendum on Monday faces almost universal opposition around the globe. Iraq’s Kurds are proceeding anyway.
Jonah Shepp
Most Recent Articles
Is Russia Rehearsing for a Major War?
Russia and Belarus say their “Zapad” war games are defensive, but their neighbors don’t believe them.
North Korea’s Latest Missile Launch Shows the Limits of Sanctions
The message Pyongyang is sending by firing another ballistic missile over Japan: Sanctions might hurt us, but they won’t stop us.
The Trump Doctrine Falls Flat
It holds that the U.S. is the most powerful country, and every interaction should favor us. North Korea begs to differ.
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North Korea and the U.S. Remain Trapped in a Cycle of Provocations
Endless saber-rattling can only end in disaster, but it’s not clear that Trump is interested in de-escalation or diplomacy.
Trump’s Bold New Afghanistan Strategy: Neither Bold, Nor New, Nor a Strategy
To the extent that it’s bold, it’s dangerous; to the extent it’s new, it’s vague; to the extent that it’s a strategy, it’s Obama’s.
What Germany Can Teach America About Addressing White Supremacism
Pulling down monuments is a start, but the real change happens in schools.
Bannon Is Right: There Is No Real Military Solution to the North Korea Problem
Mattis and Tillerson tried to clean up after his gaffe. But despite Trump’s bluster, opening fire would be catastrophic.
America’s Far Right Has Global Roots
Blending neo-Confederate and Nazi ideology, our white nationalist movement is part of a frightening international phenomenon.
What Does North Korea Hope to Gain by Threatening Guam?
Kim Jong-un might not care about wiping the tiny U.S. territory off the map, but he does want Americans to think he might.
Don’t Count on China or Russia to Resolve the North Korea Crisis
The U.S. and China have different goals, and Russia is happy to take a back seat.
The United States Is Complicit in the Destruction of Yemen
The U.S. is helping Saudi Arabia tear apart its poorest neighbor.
Venezuela’s Political Crisis Is Coming to a Head
Sunday’s vote to elect a constituent assembly could further undermine the country’s democracy — or unleash large-scale political violence.
North Korea Could Have a Nuclear ICBM Sooner Than You Think
As early as next year, in fact. And the Trump administration doesn’t seem prepared to handle the crisis.
The Fake News That Provoked a Crisis in the Middle East
We now know the U.A.E. hacked Qatar’s news service and planted false information, ratcheting up regional tensions. What now?
How Has Supporting Trump Worked Out for Russia?
A scorecard on how Trump has advanced Russian interests (whether knowingly or unknowingly), from easing Russian sanctions to the Syrian cease-fire.
The Anti-Semitism Around Donald Trump
Why does he seem so willing to enable a dark form of nationalist politics?
ISIS’s Caliphate Is Collapsing, But Don’t Celebrate Just Yet
The jihadi group is losing land and resources. Defeating its nihilistic philosophy remains a much taller order.
Jared Kushner’s Road Map to Nowhere
Putting his inexperienced son-in-law in charge of Mideast policy was a shocking act of nepotism by Trump. We’re starting to see the consequences.
The Trump Doctrine in Afghanistan: Let the Generals Handle It
We’re about to find out what Mattis’s Pentagon will do with mostly unchecked authority to conduct a war.