National Security

President Donald Trump arrives for a NATO Summit dinner at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24, 2025.

NATO Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Trump, the President Who Would Be King NATO Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Trump, the President Who Would Be King

The NATO secretary general had one mission: Keep Trump happy. And to keep Trump happy, you sacrifice your dignity and play the vassal.

Jun 27, 2025 / Carol Schaeffer

One time never-Trumper Bill Kristol—pictured here at a panel on

Those Sometimes-Trump Neocons Are Returning to the Fold Over Iran Those Sometimes-Trump Neocons Are Returning to the Fold Over Iran

As the president backs Israel’s long-awaited war with Iran, his neoconservative critics find themselves in an awkward position.

Jun 20, 2025 / Column / David Klion

People march in Times Square during a rally calling for the Trump administration not to go to war with Iran, on June 18, 2025, in New York City.

The Time to Stop Donald Trump’s Iran War Is Now! The Time to Stop Donald Trump’s Iran War Is Now!

America’s TACO president needs to fear popular backlash as much as he does hawks.

Jun 20, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Smoke rises from the area where Israeli forces struck the Iranian state television building in Tehran, Iran, on June 16, 2025. The Iranian Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation reported in a statement that its building in the capital Tehran was targeted by Israel.

The Iranian People—Abandoned at Home and Abroad The Iranian People—Abandoned at Home and Abroad

“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” Donald Trump just boasted on Truth Social. The key word here being “We”—meaning Netanyahu and Trump.

Jun 18, 2025 / Tara Kangarlou

An excavator removes debris from a residential building that was destroyed in an attack by Israel in Tehran, on June 13, 2025.

Donald Trump Is Hurtling America Into a Catastrophic Middle Eastern War Donald Trump Is Hurtling America Into a Catastrophic Middle Eastern War

The president is fickle, feckless, and easily swayed—which makes him an easy mark for militarists.

Jun 16, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg speaks during the opening night of the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University on March 27, 2025.

How Jeffrey Goldberg and “The Atlantic” Blew “the Biggest Story of the Year” How Jeffrey Goldberg and “The Atlantic” Blew “the Biggest Story of the Year”

Given advance warning of an impending war crime, the former cheerleader for the Iraq war decided his priority was to protect his scoop.

Jun 13, 2025 / JoAnn Wypijewski

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller speaks on the Iranian missile attacks on Israel at the State Department on October 1, 2024, in Washington, DC. Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for their attacks on Hezbollah leadership last week.

Biden Administration Liars Need to be Punished Biden Administration Liars Need to be Punished

Elite impunity shouldn’t protect those who covered up war crimes.

Jun 6, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Mohammed Bin Salman

Why Is Trump Suddenly Sidelining Israel? Why Is Trump Suddenly Sidelining Israel?

If Israel gets in the way of deal-making with the Gulf plutocrats, it could become an annoyance that Trump might feel he can’t afford.

Jun 6, 2025 / Juan Cole

Michael Ledeen on floral sofa in front of plants and a window facing trees in sunshine.

Michael Ledeen Was the Forrest Gump of American Fascism Michael Ledeen Was the Forrest Gump of American Fascism

From Iran-contra to Iraq war WMD lies to Trumpism, this right-wing pundit kept subverting democracy. 

May 30, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Soldier walks through Abu Ghraib

This Isn’t the First Time the United States Has Kidnapped People This Isn’t the First Time the United States Has Kidnapped People

The current administration is not simply an aberration but reflects past practices from periods in our history with which Americans were once comfortable.

May 27, 2025 / Andrea Mazzarino

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