David Faris

David Faris is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and the author of It’s Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics. His writing has appeared in Slate, The Week, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and Washington Monthly. You can find him on Bluesky at @davidfaris.bluesky.social.

An anti-Trump billboard in downtown Tehran.

Trump’s Lethal Ad-Libbing in Iran Enters Its Most Dangerous Phase Trump’s Lethal Ad-Libbing in Iran Enters Its Most Dangerous Phase

A new round of US bombing will only reinforce the dynamics pointing to an American loss—but that wouldn't prevent the president from adopting still more destructive measures.

Jul 31, 2026 / David Faris

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

Trump Can’t Admit That He Lost the Iran War Trump Can’t Admit That He Lost the Iran War

An expensive, ruinous conflict resumes for no other reason than one octogenarian narcissist’s inability to face reality.

Jul 16, 2026 / David Faris

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian displays his signed copy of the memorandum of understanding establishing a framework to end the US war with Iran

The Memo of Understanding That No One Understands The Memo of Understanding That No One Understands

The massive ambiguities in the framework for an Iran peace agreement all leave Tehran with the upper hand.

Jul 1, 2026 / David Faris

President Donald Trump mimics gunfire during an April press conference on the Iran War.

The Framework for the Iran Peace Deal Means Total Humiliation for Trump The Framework for the Iran Peace Deal Means Total Humiliation for Trump

The newly leaked Memo of Understanding to end the conflict makes it clear that the president has nothing to show for his expensive, destructive fool’s errand.

Jun 17, 2026 / David Faris

President Donald Trump stands alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine at an April press conference on the Iran War.

How Trump Has Boxed Himself Out of a Face-Saving Iran Deal How Trump Has Boxed Himself Out of a Face-Saving Iran Deal

By failing to absorb the lessons of Iran’s strategic victories, the White House is on course to turn the present stalemate into a disastrous quagmire.

Jun 9, 2026 / David Faris

Payback master: FBI Director Kash Patel in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

Government by Payback Squad Government by Payback Squad

The Trump White House has weaponized all the arms of federal law enforcement to intimidate its political enemies and critics, undermining the rule of law and democracy.

May 14, 2026 / David Faris

President Donald Trump at an April press conference about the war in Iran.

Why Ending the Iran War May Be a Never-Ending Story Why Ending the Iran War May Be a Never-Ending Story

As Trump’s “excursion” veers into quagmire territory, he may just try to walk away amid a host of new distractions.

Apr 29, 2026 / David Faris

A yard sign urges passage of Virginia's redistricting referendum.

Now That Democrats Have Won Virginia’s Redistricting Vote, the Real Fight Begins Now That Democrats Have Won Virginia’s Redistricting Vote, the Real Fight Begins

The party needs to pursue major reforms to defeat the structural demographic inequities threatening democracy.

Apr 27, 2026 / David Daley and David Faris

A billboard in Tehran asserts that despite the threats of President Donald Trump, Iran will retain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Blockheaded Thinking Behind Trump’s Plan for a Hormuz Blockade The Blockheaded Thinking Behind Trump’s Plan for a Hormuz Blockade

The president’s latest proposal to force Iran to negotiate an end to his feckless war somehow makes less sense than all the other ones.

Apr 16, 2026 / David Faris

An anti-war billboard in Yemen, seen in the distance behind a Houthi machine gun, depicts President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

How the Saudis Keep Sidestepping a Costly Role in the Iran War How the Saudis Keep Sidestepping a Costly Role in the Iran War

The brutal Gulf monarchy has been cheerleading Trump’s insane war off-stage but won’t commit to any direct role in the conflict

Apr 7, 2026 / David Faris

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