Latest Articles

Ronald Reagan's freedom agenda

June 13, 2018  •  The Washington Times

Ronald Reagan was tough on totalitarians. On March 8, 1983, and to the chagrin of many of his advisers, he disparaged the Soviet Union as an "evil empire." On June 12, 1987, standing by the barrier designed to prevent East Germans from escaping into West Berlin, and again ignoring top deputies, he called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall!"

But President Reagan also envisioned what should replace dictators. He articulated that vision to the British Parliament on June 8, 1982, in what became known as the Westminster Address.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

Pushing North Korea and Iran to the brink

June 6, 2018  •  The Washington Times

It's a simple question to ask: Do we have a vital national interest in preventing our self-declared enemies from acquiring deliverable nuclear weapons?

It's not been a simple question to answer: President Obama struck a deal that conceded a nuclear weapons capability to Iran's rulers in exchange for their promise to reach that goal more slowly.

Mr. Obama's policy toward North Korea, known as "strategic patience," rested on a similar premise: That Pyongyang would not develop the means to annihilate American cities so long as he was in the White House.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

Beyond Orientalism

May 30, 2018  •  The Washington Times

Bernard Lewis, the incomparable scholar of the Middle East and Islam, died last week. I cannot claim to have known Professor Lewis well, but one didn't need to spend much time in his presence to recognize how extraordinary he was. So rather than mourn, I intend to continue learning from him — from his life, literature and legacy. I also plan to raise a glass to him on May 31, his 102nd birthday.

First, let me tell you how I managed to make his acquaintance. We were both panelists on a National Review cruise along the western coast of Mexico. I knew who he was and was eager to engage him in conversation. He had no clue who I was and evinced no particular interest.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

For Hamas and its allies, the worse the better

May 24, 2018  •  The Washington Times

There was a time when even inveterate haters of Israel refrained from making common cause with terrorists, jihadists and exterminationists. That time has passed.

Hamas, the terrorist organization that has ruled Gaza since 2007, has said clearly that there "is no solution for the Palestinian question except through jihad." Engaging in a "peace process" leading to a "two-state solution" — out of the question. Hamas' goal, as stated in its covenant, is to "obliterate" Israel.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

Mike Pompeo's Iran speech reveals detailed plan that will require resolve to implement

May 22, 2018  •  USA Today

Two weeks ago, President Trump terminated America's participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the deal his predecessor cut with Iran's rulers. Since then the administration's critics — and more than a few of its friends — have been asking: What will replace the JCPOA? What's the plan, man?

On Monday, in his first major foreign policy speech as secretary of state, Mike Pompeo provided an answer: the imposition of "unprecedented financial pressure on the leaders of the regime," and sanctions tough enough to bring Iran's mismanaged and corrupted economy to its knees.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles