National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

Obama Distances Himself From Bush Foreign Policy Legacy

George E. Condon Jr. | 12:51 p.m.

Even though he followed many of his predecessor's counterterrorism policies, Obama wants to move on.

John Kerry in the Middle East: Eclipse of a Superpower?

James Kitfield | 5:40 a.m.

Doha, Qatar – Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in the Middle East on Thursday

How the Afghan Conflict Will Be Decided

Michael Hirsh | May 16, 2013

A horrific week for U.S. casualties reaffirms President Obama’s rush to rely on the Afghan army. But can they handle it?

Obama’s 20 Steps to Counterterrorism

Matt Vasilogambros | 12:04 p.m.

Unpacking the president's hour-long (with heckling) speech on drones, Gitmo, and everything in between.

Can Obama End the 'Forever War'?

Michael Hirsh | May 22, 2013

Ahead of Thursday's speech, the president is trying to narrow the use of drones.

5 Charts Showing Why Americans Aren't Eager for Intervention in Syria

Elahe Izadi | May 3, 2013

President Obama is acting cautiously on Syria -- and Americans aren't feeling so hawkish, either.

Insiders: Syrian Chemical Weapons Use Does Not Yet Justify U.S. Military Intervention

Sara Sorcher | May 6, 2013

Even though President Obama acknowledged chemical weapons use in Syria, nearly two-thirds of National Journal's National Security Insiders believe the American military should not yet intervene in the bloody fight against Bashar al-Assad.

Mitt Romney Was Right: Russia Is Our Biggest Geopolitical Foe

Michael Hirsh | May 7, 2013

Obama meets with South Korea’s president, but it’s Kerry’s sit-down with Putin that matters.

NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’

Michael Hirsh | May 13, 2013

U.S., allies are talking about commitments through 2018 and beyond, says top commander.

What Moscow's Arrest Says About U.S.-Russia Relationship

James Kitfield | May 14, 2013

As the U.S. and Russia go through the motions of expelling each other’s “diplomats” in the coming days, it’s likely they will only be pawns in a much bigger game.

Obama Is Still Fighting Bush's National Security Legacy

George E. Condon Jr. | April 30, 2013

The president's hesitance to intervene in Syria and eagerness to close Guantanamo Bay underscore how different he is from his predecessor.

In Boston as in Baghdad, Tragedy Cannot Be Ignored

Lara Jakes | April 18, 2013

Friends and colleagues ask why, and how, this was possible. Perhaps this is the way the world already is, and has been for some time.

Were Boston Bombers Lone Wolves or Long Arm of al-Qaida?

James Kitfield | April 19, 2013

What pushed two seemingly normal young immigrants past the tipping point of youthful anger and into wanton terrorism?

The Rehabilitation of Chuck Hagel

Michael Hirsh | February 28, 2013

Looking beyond the sequester, the new Pentagon chief plans a fast trip, and a focus on veterans.

The Rocky Times of Obama and Karzai

Matt Vasilogambros | January 10, 2013

President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai are having lunch at the White House today for yet another frank discussion on America’s longest war.

Sobering Lessons for the Afghan Pullout in Paris Peace Accord Anniversary

James Kitfield and Sara Sorcher | January 25, 2013

Even as the Obama administration and the Afghan government are locked in intense negotiations over the terms of the withdrawal of U.S. troops after a decade of war, the United States is approaching a sobering milestone. January 27 will mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords ending America’s long war in Vietnam. By August of that year U.S. combat troops had pulled out of the country, though Washington continued to backstop South Vietnamese forces with airpower and other support.

How Obama Fumbled Afghanistan

Michael Hirsh | March 5, 2013

How Obama stymied his own special envoy, Richard Holbrooke, and fumbled the administration's Afghanistan policy.

Is Obama's Drone Policy Really Morally Superior to Torture?

Sara Sorcher | February 14, 2013

Bush was condemned for waterboarding. But this administration kills from above.

Here's Who You Think Should Sit With the First Lady for Obama's Speech

Matt Vasilogambros | February 11, 2013

We asked National Journal readers who they thought would get the coveted invite to the State of the Union address this year. Here are their suggestions.

National Security Insiders: It's Possible for Congress to Oversee Drone Program

Sara Sorcher | March 11, 2013

Plus: A narrow majority says Chuck Hagel will be a good Defense secretary.

Why John McCain Doesn't Matter Anymore

James Kitfield | March 14, 2013

The GOP is now more open to isolationists and deficit hawks like Rand Paul than to traditional pro-defense Republicans.

Insiders: Yes, Sequestration Will Really Hurt U.S. National Security

Sara Sorcher | February 22, 2013

Insiders also support arming Syria's rebels.

What 'Zero Dark Thirty' Says About How Washington Works

Matthew Cooper | January 9, 2013

Yes, it's about war and waterboarding. But there's much more to Kathryn Bigelow's epic and Jessica Chastain's character.

Slow-Motion Gun Battle Plays Out in Senate

Billy House | April 14, 2013

Lawmakers will stage some slow-going drama this week as the Senate proceeds in its deliberations on gun-control legislation with a series of votes on amendments—many of them likely to usher in their own mini-floor fights, or even filibusters.

Why Washington and Moscow Still Don't Trust Each Other

Olga Belogolova | April 4, 2013

I left the USSR in 1991. Going back showed that Cold War stereotypes don’t fade—even with time.

Outsourcing the Fight Against Terrorism

James Kitfield | March 7, 2013

The United States is using local soldiers to fight al-Qaida allies in East Africa.

Chuck Hagel, Strategic Thinker

Michael Hirsh | February 19, 2013

It looks awfully likely that Chuck Hagel will squeak through confirmation as President Obama's Defense secretary. But it is also likely that he'll enter the Pentagon a damaged figure, a nominee tainted by the lingering impression that he is not ready to handle the vast complexities of a defense budget slated for slashing.

Rand Paul: 'We Shouldn't Be Crisscrossing the Skies With Drones'

Sara Sorcher | February 28, 2013

The senator is concerned about the administration's use of drones for surveillance—and targeted killing—in the U.S.

When the Whole World Has Drones

Kristin Roberts | March 21, 2013

The precedents the U.S. has set for robotic warfare may have fearsome consequences as other countries catch up.

Chastened by His Times, Obama Falls Short of History in Inaugural Address

Ron Fournier | January 21, 2013

“We cannot mistake absolutism for principle," Obama tells both allies and rivals.

How the U.S. Determines When to Kill One of Its Own Citizens

Matt Vasilogambros | February 5, 2013

The Department of Justice this week leaked its legal justification for drone strikes against Americans

Targeted Killings: Obama’s Endless War

James Kitfield | January 31, 2013

Even as it pulls forces out of Afghanistan, the Obama administration wants to continue high-tech targeted killings in the war against terrorists.

Can Obama and Karzai Avoid Iraq Redux?

James Kitfield | January 10, 2013

Friday's meeting will focus on the last two outstanding issues concerning America’s longest-ever war: how fast to withdraw the remaining troops, and what, if any, residual U.S. force to leave behind.

The Neocons vs. Chuck Hagel

Michael Hirsh | January 9, 2013

The attacks on the Defense nominee reflect an old struggle—and a philosophy that’s in eclipse.

Will Chuck Hagel and John Brennan Fight?

Michael Hirsh | January 7, 2013

Inside the future battle over targeted killing.

Chuck Hagel's Biggest Problem: He's Like President Obama

Ron Fournier | January 7, 2013

By nominating Chuck Hagel to be his Defense secretary, President Obama is putting forward an aloof contrarian who doesn’t suffer fools--a characteristic that closely describes the president himself.

Kerry’s Task: Closing the Arab ‘Pandora’s Box’

Michael Hirsh | January 24, 2013

His tenure at State may well be defined by how he handles a vast new jihadist haven.

Fewer Afghan Civilians Are Being Killed, But Drones Are on the Rise

Matt Vasilogambros | February 19, 2013

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan released an annual report on the protection of civilians on Tuesday showing that while the number of civilian deaths in the conflict has decreased in the last year, there has been an increase in the number of deaths from drone strikes — a heated issue that has received greater attention in recent weeks, following CIA director nominee John Brennan's confirmation hearing.

Insiders: White House Should Develop Rules for Drone Program

Sara Sorcher | February 4, 2013

A strong 87 percent majority of National Journal's National Security Insiders say that the White House should develop formal rules for the drone program targeting terrorists overseas.

A Guide to Obama's Staff Reshuffling

Caren Bohan | January 25, 2013

President Obama will tap Denis McDonough, a trusted longtime aide steeped in foreign policy and Capitol Hill experience, as his new chief of staff. Obama will announce the decision on Friday at 12:10 p.m. along with several other White House staff changes. The reshuffling is in keeping with Obama's management style of relying heavily on a tight inner circle of aides in his decision-making. Here is a look at the changes.

Ambition and Anguish Drive John Kerry

Michael Hirsh | December 21, 2012

What kind of secretary of State will John Kerry be? The best answer to that question probably lies in something Kerry said 41 years ago, long before he became a politician—a statement that is still, unquestionably, the most memorable thing Kerry has ever said.

Insiders: Go Ahead, Slash the Defense Budget

Sara Sorcher | January 21, 2013

Defense cuts may be on the table in a new fiscal-cliff deal, as the deadline to avoid sequestration is just weeks away. National Journal's National Security Insiders say: Go for it.

In the 'War on Terror', Hagel Hasn't Gone with the Crowd

Michael Hirsh | December 27, 2012

The truth about Chuck Hagel is that he saw before most that America was embarking on an unparalleled strategic disaster.

Full Text: President Obama Nominates John Kerry as Secretary of State

National Journal Staff | December 21, 2012

The White House released a transcript Friday of President Obama's nomination of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. Read the full text below:

The 6 Species of Secretaries That Will Define Obama's Term

Matthew Cooper | March 5, 2013

The president has made most of his top administration picks. Here's how they all fit into his second term.

With Hagel At Defense, What a Senate 'Team of Mentors' Might Mean for Obama's 2nd Term

Michael Hirsh | December 18, 2012

In the summer of 2008, while the two of them were on a trip to Afghanistan, then-Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., gave a bit of advice to then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. "I told Obama he should pick [Joe] Biden as his running mate," Hagel recalled in a 2010 interview. "I said, 'He understands governance better than anyone else. In particular he understands Congress. He understands how it fits together like no one else you could get. He's got the political piece. He 's got the policy piece. There's nobody in his league.'"

The GOP's Failed 'Plan O': Inside the Fiscal-Cliff Saga

John Aloysius Farrell and Chris Frates and Nancy Cook and Billy House | January 2, 2013

This is the story of Plan O – the congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to meet the challenge of Obama’s victory. It begins in September and ends in the fiasco of the Christmas season, when Speaker John Boehner was repudiated by his own troops and had to pull his last, desperate solution from the House floor, leaving Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to cut the best deal he could with dramatically diminished leverage.

The People, Not Washington, Will Solve America's Everyday Problems

James Oliphant and Stacy Kaper and Catherine Hollander and Adam Mazmanian and James Kitfield and Ben Terris and Fawn Johnson | December 6, 2012

Beyond the fiscal cliff, entitlement reform, and a tax overhaul, a host of other issues continue to vex Americans. They include burgeoning traffic, the shrinking pool of affordable housing, escalating gun violence, and the rising invasion of online privacy.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Reinventing Iraq

March 22, 2003

A country called Iraq has existed only since 1919. But some cities in that land were already 16 centuries old when the nearby Egyptians built their pyramids. Bureaucrats in Mesopotamia, as the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was known, began keeping written records in 3400 B.C. And despite three decades of political repression, economic mismanagement, and military disaster under Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, Iraq today-unlike Afghanistan in 2001, Yugoslavia in 1995, and Germany in 1945-is not a "failed state." (See "Occupational Hazards," this issue.) From food-distribution systems to local police forces, essential institutions and infrastructures have survived Saddam, albeit barely, and they will survive a war that successfully ousts him. So the good news is that Iraq will not have to start over from scratch. Unfortunately, the bad news is also that Iraq will not be able to start over from scratch.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Collateral Damage

March 15, 2003

The first American war against Iraq, fought a dozen years ago, produced an overwhelming, if transitory, U.S. victory, while also popularizing several phrases that slipped almost lightheartedly into the world's lexicon. But if the U.S. military's new "smart bombs" helped make a mockery of Saddam Hussein's bluster about winning "the mother of all battles," there was nothing funny about "collateral damage," the Pentagon's time-honored euphemism for the killing and wounding of everyday Iraqi people with cruise missiles and airpower.

Obama's Legacy: A Health Care Law That Hurts His Party

Josh Kraushaar | May 2, 2013

Like the Iraq war tarnished the Republican brand, ObamaCare could be a long-term political millstone for Democrats.

Iraq and Libya Haunt Obama's Syria Policy

Michael Hirsh | May 2, 2013

Weighed down by memories of Iraq and Libya, the president stands his ground.

On the Anniversary of War in Iraq, Who's Rooting for War in Syria?

Ron Fournier | March 19, 2013

McCain, Graham are pushing president Obama down a bloody slope.

The Iraq War, Nearly 10 Years Later

James Fallows - The Atlantic | March 1, 2013

This month marks ten years since the U.S. launched its invasion of Iraq. Why that's important, and what you should think about now.

The Legacy of the Iraq War? Anti-War Democrats and Rand Paul

Michael Hirsh | March 18, 2013

The most enduring impact of the invasion is a neo-isolationism that will be with us for a long time.

The Winter of the Neocons’ Discontent

Michael Hirsh | February 4, 2013

Like Richard III, the hawks fear that Obama, Hagel, and Brennan will make all the wars go away.

The Paradox of Syria's Chemical Weapons

Sara Sorcher | April 4, 2013

The surest way to keep the arsenal safe is to leave it in the hands of a murderous dictator.

My Iraq War

James Kitfield | March 21, 2013

Fear, death, and even elegy—one witness’s recollections from a decade of war.

The First Days of the Iraq War, as Seen Through National Journal Correspondents

Brian Resnick | March 19, 2013

Journalists were getting a sense of how this invasion would (for better or worse) begin to define the decade and the Bush presidency.

A Decade of War: What the U.S. Military Learned

James Kitfield | March 22, 2013

The 10-year anniversary of the Iraq war has rightfully prompted extended soul-searching about a conflict that cost the nation dearly in blood, treasure, and international prestige.

What Obama's Missing in Afghanistan

Michael Hirsh | January 14, 2013

More than troops, the president needs a strategy in the region--and a diplomat.

Hagel Not Withdrawing, Despite Renewed GOP Opposition

Michael Hirsh | February 14, 2013

Hagel spokesman acknowledges he could be defeated, but insists the former senator is not withdrawing.

Bush's Paintings and the Art of Projecting Guilt

Jill Lawrence | February 8, 2013

Bush's art reveals a man we didn't know, and one reviewers speculate is trying for absolution through painting.

Vast Majority of National Security Insiders Want Hagel, Brennan Confirmed

Sara Sorcher | January 14, 2013

Washington is abuzz with speculation about whether hawks’ opposition will derail the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary. But 82 percent of National Journal’s National Security Insiders support it.

Is Chuck Hagel Failing?

Michael Hirsh | January 31, 2013

Honest but slow to answer at his committee hearing, Obama's pick for Defense secretary fumbles badly on Iran, Israel.

Obama to World: Drop Dead

Michael Hirsh | January 22, 2013

In a speech devoid of foreign commitments, the president tells the world to keep away.

Whipping the Hagel Vote

Hotline Staff | January 9, 2013

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel has a tough confirmation fight ahead of him. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed concern over Hagel's positions on the surges in Iraq and Afghanistan and gay rights. His first challenge: Making it through the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will hold hearings on his nomination in the coming weeks.

How One Jihadist Magazine Is Trying to Fight U.S. Drone Strikes

Matt Vasilogambros | May 7, 2013

Help wanted: U.S. drone strikes have crippled our war effort—in need of expertise on how to disable or manipulate unmanned aircraft.

Insiders Split on Hagel Nomination

Alex Roarty and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | January 13, 2013

A majority of Democrats think President Obama's selection of Chuck Hagel to run the Department of Defense was -- politically speaking -- the right choice, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, but confidence in the nomination was nonetheless far from unanimous. Fifty-eight percent of Democratic insiders said the choice was the smart one politically, while 15 percent said it wasn't. Twenty-seven percent said it was too early to tell. Republicans, meanwhile, regarded the nomination as a mistake. Fifty-two percent of Insiders said the nomination was the wrong one, while 32 percent said it was too early to tell. Only 16 percent said the nomination was the right one. Politically speaking, was President Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel to the post of Defense secretary the right one? Democrats (109 votes) Republicans (102 votes) Yes 58% 16% No 15% 52% Too early to tell 27% 32%

Who is Chuck Hagel and Why Is He Being Nominated as Defense Secretary?

Brian Resnick | January 6, 2013

Hagel is no easy choice for Obama.

If You Want a Friend in Washington…Don't Call John McCain

Ron Fournier | January 31, 2013

At Hagel's confirmation hearing, the Arizona senator hammers his "old friend" in a ritual display of D.C. hypocrisy.

6 (More) Reasons Why Americans Hate Washington

Ron Fournier | February 15, 2013

In a moment of eloquence almost unprecedented in the malapropistic career of Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader said Thursday, “Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, it gets worse.”

The Next Arab Challenge

Michael Hirsh | March 14, 2013

Two years after the Middle East revolts, the Obama administration has mounted no real effort to understand the dynamics of political Islam.

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman Back in Washington for ‘Internationalism’ Project

Christopher Snow Hopkins | March 12, 2013

In recent years, a number of prominent lawmakers have either renounced their party or been excommunicated.

What is the Islamic Jihad Union?

Sara Sorcher | April 19, 2013

The FBI is reportedly investigating whether Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the brothers of Chechen descent suspected of carrying out the deadly Boston Marathon bombings on Monday, have links with the Islamic Jihad Union rooted in central Asia. Chechnya, which has a predominantly Muslim population and fought two wars attempting to split from Russia, has attracted Islamic extremist groups. Where does the IJU fit in?

White House Wavers on Hagel, Considers Others for Defense

Michael Hirsh | December 23, 2012

Besieged by criticism from right and left, and considerable skepticism from his former Senate colleagues, Chuck Hagel appears to be following the path of Susan Rice as a trial-balloon nominee who finds himself quickly losing altitude in Washington. And as happened with Rice, the White House is now signaling that it may soon puncture Hagel's hopes.

Obama’s Betting on Chuck Hagel, Unlike With Susan Rice

Jim O'Sullivan | January 10, 2013

The president is fighting for the war hero and former senator in a way he didn’t for his first pick for secretary of State.

Three Democrats Figure Out How to Praise Bush

Jill Lawrence | April 25, 2013

At the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the art of paying tribute when you disagree with someone about practically everything.

Relive President Obama's Drone War, in Under 10 Seconds

Brian Fung | March 25, 2013

The drone war may have begun during the Bush administration, but as this graphic makes clear, it's President Obama who has taken ownership of it.

'Obamacare' Repeal: Will the 37th Time Be the Charm?

Billy House and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Sara Sorcher and and George E. Condon Jr. contributed | May 12, 2013

With tensions over fiscal issues building, and the three-month suspension of the nation’s debt limit set to expire Sunday, lawmakers this week will be rehashing on the House floor their messaging war over repealing President Obama’s three-year-old health care law.

Will George W. Bush Ever Get Historians on His Side?

Jill Lawrence | April 24, 2013

Truman and Eisenhower won belated respect, but they didn't have an Iraq problem.

From a Bloody Battle in Afghanistan to the Pitchers Mound at Nationals Park

Ben Terris | April 1, 2013

Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Opening Day on Monday.

What You Need to Know About Chechnya

Matt Vasilogambros and Cory Bennett and Niraj Chokshi | April 19, 2013

With the troubled Russian region in the news, here's a primer on a violent region that has long struggled against Russian hegemony.

Why Boston Bombings Might Be Scarier Than 9/11

Ron Fournier | April 16, 2013

Killing Americans at play resonates differently than attacks on economic and military targets.

George W. Bush's Reluctant Re-Emergence on the Political Scene

Tom DeFrank | April 22, 2013

The ex-president is preparing to dedicate his library this week, but these days he's more interested in painting, golfing, and enjoying a life away from politics.

Tough Questions May Signal Quicker, Quieter End to Afghanistan War

Sara Sorcher | November 15, 2012

It’s no secret that Congress’s enthusiasm for the long war in Afghanistan has been waning—but you know support is low when even John McCain, one of the Senate’s staunchest defense hawks, is questioning whether the war is still worth fighting.

Obama's Isolationist Turn

Elahe Izadi | February 13, 2013

The president spent most of his time avoiding foreign policy during his State of the Union address.

The Psychology of a Boston Marathon Terrorist: 10 Questions for a Retired Marine

Elaine M. Grossman | April 19, 2013

“Terrorists are not psychotics or mentally disordered,” retired Marine Corps Reserve officer and criminal behavior expert G.I. Wilson said.

7 Pressing Foreign Policy Challenges for Obama’s 2nd Term

Caren Bohan and Matt Vasilogambros | January 21, 2013

Now that President Obama's inaugural festivities are over, he will turn his attention to tackling gun control, immigration, climate change and a series of looming budget confrontations with Republicans. Obama and his aides hope that the winding down of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will help him maintain a focus on domestic priorities.

Pakistan's 'Strategic Pivot' May Not Include Reforming Its Nuclear Policies

Elaine M. Grossman. | March 22, 2013

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The Pakistani military and the nation’s recently dissolved government have been touting a “strategic pivot” toward increased cooperation and transparency with regional neighbors, but it is far from clear whether these major shifts would affect Islamabad’s nuclear weapons.

What Margaret Thatcher Can Teach Hillary Clinton

Michael Hirsh | April 8, 2013

Despite vastly different political philosophies, the two women share a lot in common.

How the Top 2 Candidates for Defense Secretary Differ

Michael Hirsh | December 14, 2012

Chuck Hagel and Michele Flournoy, both haunted by the ghosts of Vietnam, represent a stark choice for Obama.

Amid Deep Cuts, the Pentagon Labors to Keep Its Forces Ready for Korea

Elaine M. Grossman | April 11, 2013

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5 Conflicts Abroad That Could Have Implications for the U.S.

Matt Vasilogambros | January 15, 2013

As the United States looks to wind down the war in Afghanistan and grapples with upheaval in Syria, several smaller conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East also could have national security implications for the United States and its allies.

The Ban on Women in Combat Will Officially End

Elspeth Reeve - The Atlantic Wire | January 23, 2013

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that the Pentagon is lifting its ban on women serving in combat — even though women actually have been serving in war zones for years, according to several news reports. The decision comes less than two weeks after the Army began&nb...

The Most Important Policies In President Obama's 2013 State of the Union Address

National Journal Staff and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Brian Fung and Catherine Hollander and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and Sara Sorcher and and Matt Vasilogam | February 12, 2013

Everything you need to know from 2013's State of the Union address, from health care and the budget to immigration and guns.

No Shortage of Headlines for House Intelligence Chair

Sara Sorcher | April 4, 2013

The Michigan Republican must toe a fine line between his role as a representative and communicator for the public and his advisory role on sensitive national-security issues.

Past Deadline, Laura Richardson Still Hasn’t Paid Her Ethics Fine

Shane Goldmacher | March 5, 2013

Laura Richardson has a troublesome new debt—this time with the ethics authorities.

Think Women Haven't Been in Combat Situations Already? The History of Crossdressing Soldiers

Ben Terris | January 24, 2013

Meet the women who dressed like men to fight in the Civil War.

At Defense, Hagel Will Face a Tough Task on Day 1: Handling Massive Spending Cuts

Matt Vasilogambros | February 25, 2013

Chuck Hagel was confirmed as secretary of Defense on Tuesday, with deep cuts to the Pentagon’s budget set to hit three days later.

3 Pieces of Advice from a Freshman Republican to the GOP

Michael Catalini | January 26, 2013

Freshman Republican Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas sat for a Q&A in a room full of conservatives at the National Review Institute summit in Washington on Friday. When he finished speaking there was boisterous applause, and one woman walked up to him after the speech and said, "You'll be president one day." Cotton shook her hand, gave an aw-shucks thank you and walked on to glad-hand with other conservatives. He's one of the party's rising stars and is already being talked about as a potential challenger to Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor in 2014. Here are three things we've learned about him after the wide-ranging discussion that touched on immigration--he largely dodged a question on what the GOP should do about "amnesty," saying choosing between that and self-deportation is a false choice--and gun control--he things the president's proposals are all wrong.

Defense Authorization Bill Heads to President Obama

Sara Sorcher | December 21, 2012

The sweeping defense policy bill is now headed to President Obama's desk, with the Senate passing the legislation authorizing about $633 billion in Pentagon programs by a wide 81-12 margin today. It came one day after the House passed it 315-107.

What You Need to Know About Mali

Matt Vasilogambros | January 14, 2013

Northern Mali could become a failed state and a hotbed for militants, similar to what Afghanistan was when the Taliban took power during the 1990s.

What Obama's Senate Mafia Means for America

Michael Hirsh | January 6, 2013

With Chuck Hagel's likely nomination for Defense secretary and John Kerry's at State, the president is gathering his old Senate 'Team of Mentors' back together.

War Fatigue Featured in New Obama Ad

Matt Vasilogambros | October 22, 2012

The Obama campaign is highlighting the country’s war fatigue in its latest ad released ahead of Monday night’s debate, which will feature foreign policy.

Why the Senate Democrats' Budget Will Be Vague

Nancy Cook and Margot Sanger-Katz | March 7, 2013

The fewer specifics they offer, the less political ammunition there will be for the GOP to use against them.

325 Members of the Army Killed Themselves Last Year. Sorting Out Why Is No Easy Task.

Brian Resnick | March 7, 2013

Combat experience is not strongly associated with suicide. So how can we account for the Army's "epidemic"?

A Look at Who's Sitting With the First Lady Tonight

Matt Vasilogambros | February 12, 2013

Here's Michelle Obama’s guest list for the State of the Union, broken down by the issues the attendees represent.

Today Is the 150th Anniversary of Black Regiments in the Military

Brian Resnick | May 22, 2013

One hundred fifty years ago today, the War Department ordered the establishment of the United States Colored Troops.

After 2,000 Deaths, Politicians Debate U.S. Future in Afghanistan

Matt Vasilogambros | October 1, 2012

As the number of U.S. deaths in Afghanistan reached 2,000 this weekend, members of both parties are debating the future of America’s longest war.

Duckworth Jabs Romney Over War in Afghanistan

Michael Catalini | September 4, 2012

Mitt Romney handed Democrats an opportunity last week when he didn't mention U.S. troops or the war in Afghanistan in his acceptance speech, and they wasted no time in grabbing it.

Two Generals, Two Women and the FBI: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Michael Hirsh | November 13, 2012

They were said to be generals cut from the same cloth, David Petraeus and John Allen: whip-smart, adaptable, erudite and above reproach. Indeed Allen was Petraeus’s hand-picked successor in Afghanistan, having served as deputy commander at Centcom in Tampa, Fla., first under Petraeus, then under Marine Gen. James Mattis. Petraeus and Allen, the soldier and the Marine, represented, in other words, the very best that the U.S. military has to offer.

What to Expect on National Security in Obama's Second Term

James Kitfield | November 8, 2012

War- and recession-weary voters simply didn’t want to hear about Afghanistan during the presidential campaign, and, with few exceptions, both candidates obliged them. Yet a series of setbacks there have decreased the prospect that U.S. and NATO forces will leave behind a stable country in two years. Partly because of inadequate vetting for Taliban infiltration, for instance, Afghan security forces have repeatedly attacked coalition troops, making it difficult to transfer security responsibilities. Attempts to negotiate with the Taliban to end a war almost no one thinks can be won militarily have also failed; insurgents appear to be waiting out the coalition’s 2014 withdrawal.

What Are Targeted Killings? Their Present and Future, Explained

Jonathan Masters and Council on Foreign Relations | January 9, 2013

The present and future of targeted killings and the use of drones in U.S. policy.

A Pair of Senators Clash Over GOP Direction

Beth Reinhard and Ben Terris | March 15, 2013

For a life-sized representation of the identity crisis that’s been plaguing the Republican Party since the 2012 election, look to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Insiders: Iran Will Be Biggest Foreign-Policy Challenge of Next Four Years

Sara Sorcher | November 6, 2012

National Journal's National Security Insiders are deeply divided over which foreign-policy challenge will prove most pressing in the next administration, with a slight plurality believing that dealing with Iran will be the top priority.

6 Predictions for World Politics in 2013

Steve LeVine and Quartz | January 10, 2013

6 predictions about what lies ahead for some of the biggest global issues of 2013.

The GOP's Identity Crisis: Marco Rubio Versus Rand Paul

Beth Reinhard and Ben Terris and Elahe Izadi contributed to this report. | March 15, 2013

The two ambitious senators are already clashing over the Republican party's direction.

Who Has Obama Chosen For His 2nd-Term Administration? A Visual Guide

Brian Resnick | March 4, 2013

Your cheat sheet to the president's appointments

The Military Knows It Has a Morality Problem

James Kitfield | December 6, 2012

Has the U.S. military lost its way after a decade of war?

Does Chuck Hagel Have Enough Support to Clear the Senate? The White House Thinks So

Jim O'Sullivan and Stacy Kaper contributed | February 5, 2013

The White House still thinks it has the Senate votes to put Chuck Hagel in the top job at the Pentagon, but concedes it would be a narrowly won victory.

How Al-Qaida in Yemen Became the Biggest Terrorist Threat to the U.S.

Cory Bennett | December 14, 2012

In the United States, Yemen is largely an unknown country. But it might pose the biggest terrorist threat to the U.S. in the coming years, argues Gregory Johnsen, author of the book The Last Refuge: Yemen, Al-Qaeda, and America's War in Arabia. He tells that story on this week's podcast.

F-Bomb Roils Otherwise Sleepy Wash. Senate Race

Sarah Mimms | August 21, 2012

Washington state Sen. Michael Baumgartner found himself in hot water Tuesday after a liberal website published a profane email authored by the Republican Senate nominee accompanying a photograph of a serviceman who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Senate Moves to Defense Bill, Sort Of

Sara Sorcher | November 14, 2012

The Senate took a babystep towards considering the defense authorization bill on Wednesday, but key lawmakers are aiming for the real work to begin on the bill after Thanksgiving.

6 Reasons Obama Chose Chuck Hagel

Jill Lawrence | January 7, 2013

Chuck Hagel, weighing a 2008 presidential bid, puzzled a conservative breakfast audience in 2004 with talk of multilateralism and the United Nations. As it turns out, his remarks ended up laying groundwork for a different kind of future--as Defense secretary in the Obama administration.

Mali, Algeria, and the Shadow of Colonialism

Michael Hirsh | January 17, 2013

Why France’s attacks may only make things worse.

Obama's Long List Gives Us a Handy Scorecard for Judging His Success

Jill Lawrence | February 12, 2013

The president gets granular on domestic policy, and makes it easy to judge whether he's a second-term success.

What To Expect on Foreign Policy in Obama's Second Term

James Kitfield | November 8, 2012

Emerging from the bubble of a domestically focused campaign, Obama will find a world that did not stand still for American politics. And given that his foreign-policy platform focused on little more than withdrawing from Afghanistan and “nation-building here at home,” he won’t have a mandate in this arena.

Afghanistan War Has Claimed 2,000 U.S. Military

Jonathan Miller | August 22, 2012

The war in Afghanistan has killed 2,000 U.S. military personnel since its inception, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

Romney Camp Explains Lack of War Talk in Romney's Convention Speech

Jonathan Miller | September 2, 2012

A senior aide for Mitt Romney declined to say whether it was an oversight that the former Massachusetts governor declined to discuss the war in Afghanistan or make a mention of the troops fighting overseas in his convention speech.

5 Things Obama Tried to Say During His State of the Union Address -- But Didn't

Matthew Cooper | February 12, 2013

Some words missing from tonight's State of the Union address: Iraq. Famine. Sudan. Moon. Mars. Assault rifles. Keystone XL. Videogames. Clinton. Fracking.

When Does a Merger Hurt National Security?

Brian Fung | May 22, 2013

The bidding war for Sprint raises questions about foreign ownership of American telecoms.

War Begins and Ends in Afghanistan, Obama Says

Maggie Fox | May 1, 2012

President Obama framed the end of the U.S. action in Afghanistan as closing a “decade under the dark cloud of war” on Tuesday.

Has Obama Done Enough for Black Americans?

George E. Condon Jr. and Jim O’Sullivan | April 4, 2013

For many, this is still a land of unequal opportunity. A history-making president may not be enough.

Why Almost Nobody Likes News About Pakistani Nuclear Security

Elaine M. Grossman | March 8, 2013

There’s an old adage about blaming the messenger who bears bad news – a practice often applied to journalists -- but when it comes to disturbing media revelations about the potential theft or unauthorized use of Pakistani nuclear weapons, fingers point in all directions.

State of the War in Afghanistan—PICTURES

National Journal Staff | May 9, 2012

Who Is John Brennan, Obama's Choice to Succeed David Petraeus at the CIA?

Brian Resnick | January 7, 2013

Here’s what to know about about the lastest figure to participate in the national-security shuffle.

Afghanistan: Eyeing the Exits

James Kitfield | August 2, 2012

During the presidential election campaign the positions of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have converged on the issue of withdrawing most U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Neither the Obama administration nor the Romney campaign has made clear, however, how fast the remaining force of 68,000 U.S. troops should be withdrawn between now and that deadline. With an important milestone approaching next month – when the last of the 30,000 “surge” troops will exit the country – U.S. military commanders are indicating their desire to keep as many of the remaining troops in Afghanistan for as long as possible.

SEAL Who Killed Bin Laden Tells His Story

Matt Vasilogambros | February 11, 2013

Highlights from the gruesome, detailed, and sometimes funny account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

House Jumps Into Immigration Reform

February 5, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE IMMIGRATION DEBATE OPENS IN HOUSE. The House jumps into the immigration reform debate today featuring two panel discussions that "examine our current legal immigration system and ways to improve it" and "d...

Why Republicans Are Keeping Reince Priebus After the Disaster of 2012

Molly Ball - The Atlantic | January 24, 2013

Reince Priebus presided over an electoral drubbing. The party is directionless and adrift. But nobody wants to rock the boat.

Who Are America's NATO Allies in Afghanistan?—PICTURES

National Journal Staff | May 7, 2012

9 Things You Want to Know About Hillary Clinton's Testimony--and 1 You Need to Know

Matthew Cooper | January 23, 2013

The scuffles, the praise, the questions about Benghazi—it all came out this morning, and so did an ominous warning about al-Qaida.

CIA Director David Petraeus Resigns Citing Extra-Marital Affair

Matt Berman | November 9, 2012

CIA Director David Petraeus resigned on Friday because of an extra-marital affair.

Is Obama Trying to Destroy the GOP?

Jill Lawrence | January 21, 2013

The president pokes at the GOP and asks citizens to put the pressure on. Is he trying to destroy the opposition party?

Graham Threatens Brennan, Hagel Confirmations

February 11, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE GRAHAM THREATENS BRENNAN, HAGEL CONFIRMATIONS. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on CBS News’s Face the Nation that he would take steps to delay the confirmations of President Obama’s nominees f...

Best Political Books We Read in 2012

National Journal Staff | December 21, 2012

The best political books that National Journal's staff read this year.

Why Obama Thanked Hillary

Michael Hirsh | January 28, 2013

The president's former political rival journeyed a long, hard road to loyalty.

Full Text: President Obama's 2013 State of the Union Speech

National Journal Staff | February 12, 2013

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, fellow citizens:

Hagel in the Spotlight

January 31, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE HAGEL IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Former Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s pick for secretary of Defense, is expected to undergo heavy questioning at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Com...

Obama Jumps Into National Security Void Left by Romney

Jill Lawrence and Sarah Huisenga contributed. | September 1, 2012

A day after Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney gave a convention acceptance speech that didn’t mention Iraq, U.S. troops or the decade-long war in Afghanistan, President Obama visited Fort Bliss in Texas. On Saturday, as Romney released a podcast on his five-point economic plan, Obama used his video address to highlight the Fort Bliss visit and his commander-in-chief role. Then he went to Iowa and hammered the point home some more.

Why Senator Jay Rockefeller's Retirement Is a Big Deal

Brian Resnick | January 11, 2013

A synopsis of the long-tenured senator's career.

Elections at Every Level Show Ever-Starker Divides

Reid Wilson | November 15, 2012

For the past six years, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the bursting housing bubble, and the Great Recession contributed to turbulence in American politics. Think of a bottle of salad dressing, the ingredients shaken up and mixed together. But that tumult has masked a longer-term trend that is dividing us along starkly partisan lines. The 2012 elections showed the salad dressing that has been left to separate into its constituent parts.

Two Faces of American Power

James Kitfield | October 18, 2012

Pragmatism and idealism will face off in the final presidential debate. Real-life foreign policy lies somewhere in between.

Dispatches from Afghanistan: An Introduction

National Journal Staff | May 3, 2012

Only days after President Obama’s historic visit, National Journal Chief Correspondent Michael Hirsh travels to Afghanistan ahead of the NATO Summit in May to give readers an in-depth and exclusive assessment of America’s planned exit from the longest war in its history. The president, in his May 1 speech from Kabul, declared confidently both that the United States will successfully hand over Afghanistan to the Afghans by 2014, and he is winding down the war against al Qaeda begun on 9/11. “The goal that I set – to defeat al Qaeda, and deny it a chance to rebuild – is within reach,” Obama said.

Provision Slashing Up to 36,000 Defense Jobs Stays Alive

Kellie Lunney, Government Executive | December 5, 2012

The Senate defeated an amendment to the defense authorization bill that would have halted an effort to cut the department’s civilian and contractor workforces by an estimated 5 percent through fiscal 2017.

National Security Topics Announced for Third Presidential Debate

Matt Vasilogambros | October 14, 2012

CBS’s Bob Schieffer, the moderator of the third presidential debate, has selected the five topics he plans on discussing with President Obama and Mitt Romney on Oct. 22 in Boca Raton, Fla., CNN reports.

John Kerry's Revenge on the Flip Flop

Major Garrett | September 6, 2012

The man who could be the next secretary of State, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., finally buried the biggest gaffe of his 2004 run for the White House and turned it against GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

5 Key National-Security Issues for 2013

Sara Sorcher | December 27, 2012

It has been a turbulent year, with violence continuing in Syria, heated debates over the defense-budget topline, and the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya. National Journal looks at five key national-security issues that the U.S. will wrangle next year.

Foreign-Policy Issues to Expect in Monday's Debate

Sara Sorcher and Sophie Quinton | October 22, 2012

President Obama’s foreign-policy record has long been considered one of his strengths, but when Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney meet in Boca Raton, Fla., on Monday night, there will be plenty of overseas controversies for the candidates to spar over. The ongoing war in Afghanistan, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the controversy over Obama’s handling of an attack on the U.S. diplomatic facility in Libya are just some of the topics moderator Bob Schieffer may raise.

Spirited Biden Debate Performance Allows Democrats to Exhale

Beth Reinhard | October 12, 2012

Democrats, you may exhale. But don't you dare rejoice.

Afghanistan: A Decade of War, Nearing an End—PICTURES

Barrett Holmes Pitner | May 3, 2012

NATO, Keystone Pipeline Protesters Descend on Chicago—PICTURES

May 18, 2012

Who Is Medea Benjamin, and Why Is She So Good at Heckling Public Officials?

Brian Resnick | 12:44 p.m.

The cofounder of CODEPINK also has interrupted NRA speeches.

Obama Calls for Commitment to Afghanistan on Bin Laden Kill Anniversary

George E. Condon Jr. | May 1, 2012

President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for a long commitment to Afghanistan and said defeating al-Qaida was within reach as he marked the first anniversary of the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden.

David Petraeus and America’s Warrior Monks

James Kitfield | November 12, 2012

On Veterans Day weekend, Washington was all atwitter over the resignation of CIA director David Petraeus for an illicit affair. A retired general who in the past decade was thrown into the breach of two failing wars and stared down murderous insurgencies was ultimately felled by the one adversary he could not outsmart – temptation.

Pakistan Reopens Supply Routes, Clinton Apologizes

Sara Sorcher | July 3, 2012

Pakistan will re-open the supply routes that the U.S. its allies use to supply troops in neighboring Afghanistan after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the U.S. was sorry for the deaths of Pakistani soldiers mistakenly killed by a NATO airstrike last November.

White House on Damage Control After Leak

February 19, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE WHITE HOUSE ON DAMAGE CONTROL AFTER LEAK. After the draft of a White House immigration proposal was leaked to USA Today late Saturday, the administration is working to calm down the bipartisan group of law...

Insiders: Romney's Attacks on Obama Over Defense Cuts Won't Move Needle for Voters

Sara Sorcher | September 18, 2012

Seventy percent of National Journal’s National Security Insiders say Mitt Romney’s attacks on President Obama alleging his support of $1 trillion in cuts to the Pentagon’s budget will not have an impact on voters.

Pentagon Would Cut Thousands of Jobs Under New Bill

Kellie Lunney, Government Executive | December 20, 2012

The Pentagon will have to shrink its civilian and contractor workforces by thousands of jobs during the next five years under a provision in the fiscal 2013 Defense authorization bill that House and Senate conference negotiators approved on Tuesday evening.

How Conferees Resolved Differences on Defense Authorization Bill

Sara Sorcher | December 18, 2012

Emerging from conference committee on Tuesday, leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services committees presented the final version of the defense bill authorizing about $633 billion for Pentagon programs.

Obama Calls Karzai Over Shooting of Afghan Civilians

National Journal staff | March 11, 2012

Seeking to defuse tensions within Afghanistan, President Obama on Sunday called Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express his shock and sadness at a U.S. Army sergeant's killing of at least 16 civilians there.

Congressional and Pentagon Reaction to President Obama's Afghanistan Trip

National Journal Staff | May 1, 2012

Reaction to President Obama's unannounced trip to Afghanistan came in from Capitol Hill and the Pentagon on Tuesday. Read what some members of Congress were saying.

A Guide to the IRS Scandal—What Happened and When Did It Happen?

Michael Catalini | May 13, 2013

At least one official at the IRS knew in 2011 about the efforts to single out conservative groups who applied for tax-exempt status. White House counsel knew about the IRS story during the week of April 22, more than two weeks before the president said he found out about it, press secretary Jay Carney said Monday. And Senate Republicans and Democrats engaged in a tug-of-war over whether the IRS was unfairly targeting conservative groups throughout 2012.

Republicans Aren't the Only Gun-Control Obstacle

Beth Reinhard | December 23, 2012

President Obama’s call for Congress to show the “courage” to consider new gun-control laws was aimed at Republicans, but the president’s most pressing political concern is with members of his own party who have a long-standing history of cowering from the gun debate.

Zero Dark Thirty Is a Gut Punch to Our Concepts of Justice and Revenge

James Oliphant | January 10, 2013

A film that makes all of us complicit in revenge.

Hotline Sort: Rendell Rips Casey

Julie Sobel and Steven Shepard | October 19, 2012

Welcome back to Hotline Sort. The Club for Growth makes its first foray into the ad war in Ohio's Senate race, Warren and Scott Brown have tough new ads out, Obama and Romney show off their lighter sides, and Rendell blasts Casey for running a lackluster campaign.

Obama: There Will Never Be 'An Optimal Point' To Withdraw From Afghanistan

Sophie Quinton | May 21, 2012

There will never be a perfect time to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, President Obama said on Monday at the close of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit. But after ten years at war, the timetable the U.S. and it’s allies have established is “a responsible one.”

Obama Paints Congress as the Obstacle

February 13, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE OBAMA PAINTS CONGRESS AS THE OBSTACLE. President Obama on Tuesday challenged Congress to find a way to dodge the sequester and seize the opportunity for more-enduring deficit reduction, using his fourth St...

Support for War in Afghanistan Declines

Alexandra Jaffe | May 9, 2012

In a year marked by increasing backlash by Afghan forces against U.S. and NATO soldiers, American support for the war is in decline, with only 27 percent saying they support the effort, according to a new AP-GfK poll.

Poll Shows Support for War in Afghanistan Dropping Sharply -- Report

National Journal Staff | March 26, 2012

Support for the war in Afghanistan has dropped sharply in recent months, The New York Times reports, based on the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. The drop in support is among both Democrats and Republicans.

Key Votes Used to Calculate the Ratings

February 19, 2013

The 116 Senate votes and 116 House votes on which National Journal’s 2012 vote ratings are based.

Full Text of Obama's Speech in Afghanistan

National Journal Staff | May 1, 2012

The White House released the full text of President Obama's speech in Afghanistan. Here's the full text, as prepared for delivery.

A Contentious Week in Congress

February 4, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE A HOT WEEK ON THE HILL. With the next fiscal showdowns looming, Democrats in the House and Senate are set to brainstorm on strategy at out-of-town retreats this week. But that’s not all. The Senate Intel...

Surrogates Spin Ryan, Biden Performances During Veep Debate

Lara Seligman and Jonathan Miller contributed | October 12, 2012

Partisans took to the morning shows just hours after the first and only vice presidential debate, with both sides arguing over style, substance and outcome.

Obama Lays Out Second-Term Agenda in Booklet, Ad

Matt Vasilogambros | October 23, 2012

After weeks of being challenged by Democrats and Republicans to lay out his second-term agenda, President Obama's campaign is releasing a 20-page booklet called "Blueprint for America's Future" on Tuesday and airing a new television ad to support it.

Why Obama Is Giving Up on Right-Leaning Whites

Ronald Brownstein | January 31, 2013

For decades, Democrats shaped their policies around fears of losing right-leaning white voters to the GOP. But Obama’s winning coalition has altered that calculus.

Why Block Hagel? For White House Intel

February 15, 2013

CongressWhite HouseNational SecurityPoliticsEnergyEconomy & BudgetHealth Care TOP FIVE WHY BLOCK HAGEL? FOR WHITE HOUSE INTEL. Former Sen. Chuck Hagel did not become Defense secretary on Thursday. He likely will be confirmed after next week’s congressional recess. But that’s hardly the p...

Biden May Be the Most Influential Vice President Ever

Michael Hirsh | December 31, 2012

But in a sign of just how important a figure the vice president has become in Washington, Biden’s absence until now has been one reason that Republicans doubted Obama’s seriousness about cutting a deal, my colleague Chris Frates reported last week.

Will Foreign-Policy Debate Give Obama the Edge?

Beth Reinhard | October 18, 2012

The foreign-policy focus of the third debate could give Obama the upper hand. Romney has yet to find his sea legs on the subject.

The Final Presidential Debate Drinking Game

Matt Berman | October 22, 2012

Settle down with your favorite imported beer or Cold War vodka, it's time for the final presidential debate.

How the Fiscal Cliff Battle Is Really Just a Battle of Demographics

Ronald Brownstein | December 20, 2012

Washington’s battle over the fiscal cliff is best understood as a confrontation not only between Democrats and Republicans, but also as an early skirmish in what could be a decades-long struggle for resources and influence between the Brown and the Gray.

N2K Presidential: Will the Foreign-Policy Debate Give Obama an Edge?

National Journal Staff | October 21, 2012

It would seem that between Romney’s flubs and his own bragging rights, the president is well positioned heading into Monday’s debate on foreign policy. That’s an enviable place for a sitting president in a tight race who is presiding over one of the weakest economic recoveries in modern times. Only one man on stage gets to call himself the commander in chief, and he’s not Mitt Romney.

Behind the Fiscal Cliff is a Demographic Struggle

Ronald Brownstein | December 20, 2012

Washington’s battle over the fiscal cliff is best understood as a confrontation not only between Democrats and Republicans, but also as an early skirmish in what could be a decades-long struggle for resources and influence between the Brown and the Gray.

NATO Soldiers Fight On—With ‘Guardian Angels’

Michael Hirsh | May 7, 2012

Violence runs in Afghanistan’s bloodstream. Even Afghans will admit this. “If you [Americans] are not here, we will fight each other,” said an Afghan parliamentarian, Moammad Farhad Azimi, a passionate Tajik with deep insecurities about tribal Pashtun dominance, with whom I had dinner in Kabul Sunday night.

With New Support Base, Obama Doesn't Need Right-Leaning Whites Anymore

Ronald Brownstein | February 1, 2013

For decades, Democrats shaped their policies around fears of the culturally conservative white voters to the GOP. But Obama’s winning coalition has altered that calculus.

Sunday Shows: Democrats Struggle With a Tough Question

September 2, 2012

On today’s Sunday shows, Democrats were vocal in advance of their convention, accusing the Romney campaign and Republicans of lying but also struggling with the question: Are Americans better off than they were four years ago? In addition, a Romney aide addressed why the GOP nominee did not mention Afghanistan in his convention speech and Newt Gingrich appeared to support embattled Senate candidate Todd Akin of Missouri.

Romney's Foreign Policies Sound a Lot Like Obama's

Michael Hirsh | October 8, 2012

Mitt Romney moderated some of his formerly hawkish rhetoric Monday in what was billed as a major foreign policy speech and sought to reassure Americans that he wants to avoid war. At the same time, however, the GOP nominee persisted in taking a tougher line against Russia and China, and he suggested that he’d like to see U.S. troops back in Iraq.

A 12-Step Program for the Republican Party

Tim Alberta and Jim O'Sullivan | January 24, 2013

The GOP has finally admitted it has a problem winning over voters. Here’s a 12-step program to get the party back on track.

Romney Playing With Fire on Afghanistan

Alex Roarty | February 2, 2012

Mitt Romney's sharp criticism Wednesday of President Obama's newly planned troop withdrawal in Afghanistan raises a thorny question for the presumptive GOP presidential nominee: Why is he intent on aligning himself with such an unpopular position? The answer might lie in a candidate willing to lose...

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