Rep Holt: With Each White House Syria Answer, ‘The Less Satisfied I Am’ (Video)

[HTML1] Does the White House face an uphill battle garnering ample support among House members for a use-of-force resolution in the House? You bet it does. And, to be clear, faces a steep climb in convincing its fellow Democrats to authorize even a limited military mission. Not only did numerous Democratic House members voice concerns…

War Drums: The Syria Speech Obama Could Give … But Probably Won’t

Editor’s Note: Several hours after this post went live, “Probably Won’t” became “Basically Did Just That.” President Obama, speaking from the White House Rose Garden, said he is ready to give the order to launch military strikes on Syria. But first, he will seek congressional approval. Congress is slated to return to Washington on Sept.…

Nearly 12 Years Later, Talking Past One Another on Counterterrorism Policies

ESSAY Reasonable people can disagree. And sometimes, even in Washington, they manage to reach a compromise. Just not on counterterrorism policies, it seems. To be sure, U.S. national security policymaking has become just as politicized as any other national policy issue — though somewhere south of health care. During the George W. Bush era, Democrats…

Deciphering Obama: The President’s Complicating Syntax

ESSAY Barack Obama ran once for the U.S. presidency promising hope and change, then once mostly appealing for more time to allow his policies to work. But increasingly, it appears likely his legacy will be more about “red lines” and something called “permission structures.” The 44th president has taken plenty of heat over his rhetorical…