Israel Iran, Northern Ireland, Skiing rockets

Deter, degrade: why Israel keeps bombing Iran in Syria. The Israelis want to impose an alternate cost-benefit calculation on the revolutionary guards.

Northern Ireland's inspiring response to a new terrorist attack. Politicians from all sides are united in condemning the latest violence

Skiing with rockets: life in Israel.

China negotiations, missile defense,

It would be a very bad idea to waive any tariffs on China before a deal is reached. The key is to balance strategic interest to a tactical assessment of Chinese negotiating plots

Trump's new missile defense shield is bad strategy. It will cost too much, do too little, invite too much escalation. The better alternative is offensive dominance.

BuzzFeed's report depends on Trump being caught on tape. The president's legal team would have a field day with Cohen alone

China Taiwan, Kenya terror, Brexit situation, Jeremy Corbyn

Confront China with economic pressure not military threats. At least, that is, on the issue of Taiwan

Kenya's reminder of the Salafi-Jihadist war with the world. The Nairobi hotel attack illustrates certain truths

Brexit vote debacle puts Theresa May in a difficult but not catastrophic position. Here's why.

Michael Gove nukes Jeremy Corbyn. The Labour leader is without merit as a leader.

Xi meeting Kim, LA teachers union, EU sanctions on Iran

In Xi’s meeting with Kim Jong Un, Trump’s opportunity for a lesson in leverage. China’s leader thinks he holds the cards on the North Korean crisis. He's wrong.

The power of the Los Angeles teachers union must be broken. The data shows that the union is putting its own members before the interest of students.

New European Union sanctions on Iran are defining in their weakness. They will embolden rather than deter acts of terrorism against the west.

Erdogan Syria, Security speech, Anthony Zinni

Trump unleashes Erdogan's inner minefield on Syria. The president should have known that the Turkish leader is an utterly unpredictable and emotional man.

What Britain could learn from America about protecting politicians and free speech. Namely, that uncomfortable speech should be admitted, but security provided.

Anthony Zinni's resignation is no obvious rebuke to Trump. It appears to reflect genuine frustration with the Saudis and Qatar.

Germany attacks, Turkey ISIS

Germany cyber-attacks: the five most likely culprits. A consideration of means, motive, and targeting leads to one of five probable actors.

The idiocy of giving the US military to Turkey to fight ISIS. Turkey's armed forces won't effectively take on the terrorists. But they will use US support to smash the Kurds.

Special Report

3m18 Discussing the government shutdown

Syria withdrawal, China threats, MBS scapegoats, Ocasio Cortez

How Trump can withdraw US forces from Syria and salvage US interests. It involves the CIA, air power, and resolve. The need for action is clear.

Signaling a harder edge for 2019, China threatens US aircraft carriers and war with Taiwan, and shows-off new nuclear warfare capabilities. Time to buckle up.

Mohammed bin Salman and the art of the Saudi scapegoat. The crown prince is dedicated to his own survival. Those now on trial are simple sacrificial lambs.

Two thoughts on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ dancing video. No one really cares.

Britain China, Russia-Assad, Doping ban, Beijing 1984, Chekist humor, Mitt Romney

How Britain will support America with a new military base in South-East Asia. The Royal Navy intends to support democratic international order in face of Chinese threats.

Why Russia and Assad are now ready to smash Idlib governorate, Syria. The withdrawal of US forces has ceded the strategic initiative and allowed Erdogan’s co-option.

Russia must face another sports ban. Moscow’s failure to oblige by its anti-doping commitments is utterly inexcusable.

Orwellian Newspeak from Beijing. The Chinese government intends to steal the West Pacific by parsing language.

Chocolate Cathedrals and the art of Chekist humor. The Russians are playing gallow games with their ode to Salisbury.

Mitt Romney gives Barack Obama an undeserved foreign policy free pass. Romney’s article on Trump was fair, but missed a key detail.

Strategic Command, India interests

Strategic Command should not have apologized for their nuclear weapons tweet. The military command was making a serious, necessary point in a humorous way.

India will be a core source of U.S. interest building in 2019. But the Pacific and South America also feature heavily on the opportunity front.