David Ignatius's Blog, page 37

How the U.S. is helping vulnerable Afghans without recognizing the Taliban

Sanctions against the Taliban complicate efforts to help the Afghan people survive this winter of suffering.

Biden is failing politically, and not just because of Republican obstruction

The inability to pass a bill helping the United States compete with China in chipmaking is a symptom of the problem — and a test.

As the U.S. and Russia debate Ukraine, it’s hard to see the wiggle room

But there might be a way forward — if the Russian leader can accept security guarantees and stop trying to rewrite history.

Russia may have bolstered its hand in Kazakhstan. But the danger remains high.

Keeping the former Soviet republic stable is easier said than done.

Biden wants to turn Ukraine into a porcupine

Crimea was a pushover for Russia in 2014, but a lot has changed since then.

The gears of justice can grind down the forces of insurrection

Good, methodical work is being done, but it's time to start working up the ladder.

What strange things does 2022 have in store for us? Take this quiz and find out.

Predicting the future is hard, whether it's about North Korea, space warfare or presidential politics.

The Navy SEALs, a Christmas story

As the SEALs reinvented themselves, they focused on new missions for a world where counterterrorism is no longer the overriding priority.

Biden’s foreign policy: The tough guy vs. the pussycat

The new administration has had "quite a year" in foreign policy, from mending frayed alliances to botching the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Biden administration weighs backing Ukraine insurgents if Russia invades

A problem that bedeviled the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan could be Putin's problem if he orders troops to enter Ukraine.