The inevitability of the Afghan tragedy
Two decades of delusion and confusion about America’s endgame in Afghanistan don’t make the Taliban takeover any less of a catastrophe. Just don’t call it a surprise.
The empty gesture of imposing sanctions on Cuba and Iran
External pressure hurts ordinary people and doesn’t budge incalcitrant regimes. But tough-guy posturing pays off for American presidents.
America has its own virus secrets
Our military’s long history of biological research complicates the quest to clear up what really happened in Wuhan.
What’s the harm in visiting Russia?
The State Department is discouraging Americans from traveling there and making it harder for Russians to come here.
Hey, America, how about an apology?
Some countries are making amends for things they’ve done to other countries. But the United States is never sorry.