Blog Posts

Why Americans Are Less Hawkish than Their Leaders

Benjamin H. Friedman | May 15, 2012
The origins and consequences of the public-elite opinion gap on foreign policy.

Opinions in Uniform

Paul R. Pillar | May 03, 2012
There is a very real place in foreign-policy debates for current and retired military personnel. Civilian governments would be wise to listen.

The Bin Laden Anniversary

Paul R. Pillar | Apr 26, 2012
By continuing to dwell on the man a year after his death, we are still serving Bin Laden's nefarious purposes.

Accountability is Complicated

Paul R. Pillar | Apr 24, 2012
As the newest scandals show, punishinment and blame are never as simple as they seem.

Wiping Out

Paul R. Pillar | Apr 22, 2012
How the public mind turns foreign leaders' off-the-cuff remarks into exaggerated threats.

The Gunter Grass Anti-Semitism Debate

Jacob Heilbrunn | Apr 09, 2012

Flawed Accountability in American Democracy

Paul R. Pillar | Mar 28, 2012
How flaws in the U.S. system lead to deep deficiencies in Washington.

On Foreign Policy, Ask the Audience

Christopher A. Preble | Mar 26, 2012
Americans want a "protect America first" policy, not a "send Americans first" one.

Peter Beinart Says America Should Boycott the West Bank

Jacob Heilbrunn | Mar 19, 2012
Beinart's op-ed reflects mounting U.S. concern with Netanyahu's policies and sheds light on a topic the Israeli PM would prefer to keep in the dark.

Americans Don't Want a War

Paul R. Pillar | Mar 13, 2012
They are being swayed by mindless alarmism, not sober considerations of what a nuclear Iran would mean—which makes their expressed aversion to a war all the more telling. 

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May 26, 2012