MARIAN CONTROVERSIES In his review of my book, Mary and the Art of Prayer, Nathan Ristuccia (“Our Lady of Everything,” May) acknowledges that certain elements of the medieval devotion to the Virgin Mary have been a stumbling block for modern scholars and Christians alike—particularly her . . . . Continue Reading »
On matters of foreign policy, Americans are divided into two hidden camps. Not Republicans versus Democrats, nor liberals versus conservatives, nor rival schools of foreign policy you read about in college courses. The divide is primarily religious in nature—or perhaps “theological” is the . . . . Continue Reading »
Listen to Michael Doran deliver the 2018 First Things Lecture in Washington, D.C. Continue Reading »
It is fanaticism, America’s fanaticism, that the historian Walter McDougall blames when he considers the strategic advantages America has squandered since . . . . Continue Reading »
Donald Trump’s friendliness toward Russia has the potential to reshape global politics. Continue Reading »
The cliché is that Donald Trump says what people think. On foreign policy, that cliché is actually true. Trump’s phone interview with the New York Times has been roundly mocked by political observers. In the transcript, he comes across more like a belligerent drunk than a potential president, . . . . Continue Reading »
This morning at the 3 West Club in New York City, Senator Marco Rubio gave a speech and answered questions on American foreign policy. He focused on Cuba and Iran, and the discussion turned mostly on specific policy actions the Senator might take if he does win the White House next year. Continue Reading »
The Obama administration's Middle East policy is becoming something worse than a failure. It is turning into a combination of ideological tics and irritable gestures even as the worst actors gain power.Ross Douthat argues that the Obama administration is shifting the U.S.’s foreign policy strategy from a Pax Americana model (where the U.S. uses military force to impose order) to one of offshore balancing (where the U.S. strategically sides with one local power or another while keeping U.S. commitments to a minimum). If only that were what the United States was doing. A thoughtful policy of offshore balancing would be a dramatic improvement over policies that Obama is pursuing. Continue Reading »
A new biography of Joseph Stalin offers an account of the rise of Soviet Russia which has clear relevance for contemporary foreign policy. Continue Reading »
Here’s depressing but not-to-be-missed editorial from Jonathan Tobin at Commentary . He’s not as open as I think he should be to the possibilities that a) Morsi might really intend to give up his extraordinary powers in three months, and that b) regardless of his intentions, . . . . Continue Reading »
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