Daniel Larison

Mitt Romney's dangerous game

GOP hawks are taking a reckless stance in opposing the START nuclear treaty. Has a willingness to endanger the country for partisan advantage become the Republicans' new litmus test?

Fighting the right war in Afghanistan

Critics of the current U.S. strategy in Afghanistan often miss the point that the practical alternative isn't peace and withdrawal. It's endless war, fought from a distance — the ideal incubator for more 9/11-style blowback.

Israel needs Turkey — and so do we

Israel's deadly raid on the Turkish flotilla sent relations between the erstwhile allies to a new low. Turkey can afford the rift. Can Israel?

Can Rand Paul revive conservative foreign policy?

For the first time in memory, a libertarian, noninterventionist conservative has triumphed over the GOP's hawkish mainstream. That's something every American should celebrate.

The end of America's 'freedom agenda'

The last of the pro-American "color revolutions" flamed out last month in Kyrgyzstan. Good riddance.

The end of our 'special relationship' with Britain

After decades of playing second fiddle to the U.S., Britain, like other U.S. allies, is prepared to chart a more independent course. It's about time.

Israel thumbs its nose at Obama

The U.S.'s dysfunctional patron-client relationship with Israel yields a predictable result: Once again, Israel disses Washington and does what it wants.

Israel's nearsighted attacks

The assassination of a Hamas official in Dubai has roiled Israel's allies, with the potential to isolate Israel further. Has Israel given up thinking strategically?

Is Obama set for failure with Iran?

Obama appears already to have given up on his policy of engagement with Iran. The alternative is to repeat the failures of the past -- and live with the ugly consequences.

The U.S. should stay in Haiti

Hiding the costs of U.S. foreign policy

It can't go on forever, but the era of conservative internationalism has promised Americans global primacy and policing—all for free, with a cherry on top.

Obama's dangerous surge

The White House has compared the president's troop increase in Afghanistan to Bush's surge in Iraq. Actually, it's much, much riskier.

Obama's trip foretells the future

Expectations of American presidents and American power are wildly out of synch with the realities of globalization and a multi-polar world.  Obama's steady, dull progress in diplomacy is not the stuff of drama, but it is the future.

Obama's fractured Israel policy

Obama has pro-Israel credibility among Arabs, where it does him no good. But he lacks it where he most needs it, leaving him powerless to enforce his demand for a freeze on Israeli settlements.

GOP foreign policy elite still clueless

On foreign policy, Obama is trying to undo the damage of the Bush years. Why do David Frum and other Republicans want to stop him?