Trump and the Russians

Donald Trump’s Anti-Russian Agenda, Newsday, May 22, 2017. "Politically, no story is hotter than the one about Donald Trump and the Russians. Last week’s appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the election keeps the story alive. But abroad, President Trump hasn’t helped the Russians. In fact, he’s opposed them."

The Constitutional versus the Administrative State

Trump and the Limits of Presidential Power, Newsday, May 6, 2017. "Last week, President Donald Trump blamed the Constitution for making his life hard. As he put it, “It’s an archaic system. . . . It’s really a bad thing for the country.” He’s not the first president with that complaint, and, sadly, he won’t be the last."

Getting BAD

Reclaiming American Realism, with Michael Auslin and Colin Dueck, American Affairs, May 2017. "Trump himself may not be the answer to the threats the country faces, but his election offers an opportunity to reconsider the state of our relations with the world, to more forthrightly admit what has failed, and to consider bolder changes in our approach to foreign policy than would take place after a more “normal” election. Conservatives must recognize the widespread public dissatisfaction, and respond with a realistic approach to the challenges we face abroad and at home. Failing to do this will result not merely in a more dangerous world, but also in a yet more disillusioned U.S. public that will demand a retreat that endangers our vital interests and puts the ability of Americans to live freely at risk."

Expanding the Perimeter

How to Expand Defense Trade Cooperation Between the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with Daniel Kochis, Heritage Foundation Issue Brief, April 26, 2017. "Of the United States’ alliances, none are stronger than those it enjoys with Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. has stood shoulder to shoulder with these English-speaking allies in two World Wars, the Cold War, two wars in Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan, and that collaboration continues today in the fight against ISIS. The U.S. also works closely with these allies in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing community, which includes New Zealand. It is therefore in America’s interest to promote even closer defense collaboration with Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. A major pillar of improved collaboration is improved defense trade cooperation."

The Worrying Decline of the Establishment

The Disturbing Decline of Europe’s Left, Newsday, April 23, 2017. "British Prime Minister Theresa May shocked her nation last week by calling an early election, to be held on June 8. Her Conservative Party is likely — though not certain — to win, a result that would end all doubt that Britain will leave the European Union. But it’s not Conservative strength in Britain that’s the most impressive. It’s the weakness of the opposition left-wing Labour Party. It’s not just Labour that’s weak. All across the continent, the left is in trouble, just as the EU is. And the EU’s problems are the left’s."

The Latest British Election

In Britain, Conservatives Seek a Mandate from Voters, Daily Signal, April 18, 2017. "On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May shocked Britain by calling for an early general election, which will be held on June 8. This election will decide the fate of her government and Brexit. In many ways, May’s decision to “go to the country”—British slang for calling an election—is the way it should be."

Stuck in the Middle with You

U.S. Caught In Between on China, Newsday, April 9, 2017. "Summit meetings between American presidents and Chinese leaders are always high-risk. But the drama of last week’s meetings between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping concealed a key fact: U.S. policy toward China is based on an assumption that has never looked less attractive."

Again, The Advantages of Brexit

The Opportunities Brexit Gives Britain to Reshape Itself, Daily Signal, March 29, 2017. "Today, British Prime Minister Theresa May formally notified the European Union that Britain will leave the union. This is a great day for believers in democratic self-government, here and around the world. The process of Britain’s leaving the EU will not be easy, and today’s step—the triggering of the EU’s Article 50—is a vitally important stage in the process. Article 50 is not saying Britain wants a divorce. It assumes the divorce exists, and starts a two-year period of negotiations about its terms."

The Advantages of Brexit

Theresa May and the Brexiteers, National Interest, March 28, 2017."When British prime minister Theresa May triggers Article 50 on Wednesday, the clock starts ticking on Britain’s exit from the European Union. Barring an extension of the exit negotiations—which would require a unanimous vote of all EU members—Britain will be out on March 30, 2019, deal or no deal. In this world of change, it is nice to see that a few things remain the same. And one of those things is Al Gore. Speaking in London last week, the former vice president was kind enough to favor his audience with his own views on what caused Brexit. The villain, of course, was global warming."

Diet Time at State

Donald Trump is Right to Cut the State Department’s Budget, March 26, 2017, Newsday. "President Donald Trump’s budget proposes a 28 percent cut, worth $17.3 billion, in the budget of the State Department and our foreign aid. Inevitably, liberals are opposed, but even some conservatives have expressed doubts. Yet if you believe in diplomacy, cuts are a good first step."

In Praise of the Freedom Association

Britain’s CPAC Celebrates Brexit, Daily Signal, March 20, 2017. "Britain’s fourth annual Freedom Festival, organized by the Freedom Association and held in the traditional seaside resort of Bournemouth, concluded on Sunday. Like the U.S. Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, the festival brings together conservatives and libertarians to discuss, debate—and this year, to celebrate."

In Praise of Robots

Bill Gates Takes Aim at Robots Who Take Our Jobs, Newsday, March 12, 2017. "Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and a very smart and rich man, has an idea: tax robots who take jobs that people used to do. Interesting idea. But before we sign on, let’s think about how it would work in practice."

London (and Paris), Not Brussels

U.S. Should Stop Supporting the EU, Newsday, February 26, 2017. "The Trump administration doesn’t like the European Union. Its critics claim this is a major shift in U.S. policy. They’re right. But on substance, it’s the administration that’s got it right. The upcoming French elections show why."

TPP Matters More than Refugees

Furor Over Refugee Order Overshadows TPP, Newsday, February 11, 2017. "President Donald Trump’s “extreme vetting” order on refugees is his most controversial act in his three weeks in office. But his decision to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership was more important. Yet the first order stoked a panic, while the second received limited attention in comparison."

The Top Five Treaties to Kill

On Treaties, It’s Time to Clear the Inbox, Washington Times, February 7, 2017. "The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing all current and pending multilateral treaties, with a view to exiting those that are not in the national interest. This is a long-overdue step. More than 40 treaties are pending in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, many of them gathering dust there for decades."

Britain Backs Brexit, Again

On Brexit, So Much Winning, Daily Signal, February 4, 2017. "On June 23, the British people voted to leave the European Union. Earlier this week, Britain took another mighty step on the road to regaining its independence when the House of Commons voted, by a smashing margin of 498 to 116, to back Brexit."

What, Me Worry? Well, Yes.

So, You Worry About Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Newsday, January 30, 2017. "The left has a new boogeyman: Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin. Russian hackers, many liberals say, cost Hillary Clinton the election. Russia is certainly a bad actor. I only wish the left had noticed years ago. And no, I don’t excuse conservatives who fall for the Russian lure: They should know better."

Really, It's Not Just Another Country

How Trump Can Advance the Special Relationship with Britain, with Nile Gardiner, Daily Signal, January 26, 2017. "Just seven days after taking office, President Donald Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Washington on Jan. 27. It will be the first visit to the White House by a foreign leader since Trump’s inauguration, and the meeting sends a clear signal that the Anglo-American alliance will be at the heart of strategic thinking in the new Trump administration."

SHOT Wonders if Trump Will Hit the Target

With Obama Gone, Firearms Industry Hopes for New Freedom for Gun Owners, Daily Signal, January 26, 2017. "In past years, the SHOT Show—the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show; organized annually by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, held this year in Las Vegas—has been marked by delight at the booming firearms market, clouded by concerns about impending executive actions by now-former President Barack Obama. This year, SHOT was the exact opposite: hopes for regulatory relief from President Donald Trump, tempered with regret at the end of—or at least a pause in—the remarkable sales run of the past eight years."

Not Just Another Country

The Trump-May White House Meeting: Five Key Recommendations for Advancing the Special Relationship, with Nile Gardiner, Heritage Foundation Issue Brief #4649, January 25, 2017. "On January 27, just seven days after taking office, President Donald Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Washington. It will be the first visit to the White House by a foreign leader since Trump’s inauguration, and the meeting sends a clear signal that the Anglo–American alliance will be at the heart of strategic thinking in the new Trump Administration."

Bin the ATT

A Simple Plan in 2017 for the Arms Trade Treaty: Return to Sender, Heritage Foundation Issue Brief #4648, January 24, 2017. "Though then–Secretary of State John Kerry signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on behalf of the United States on September 25, 2013, the Obama Administration waited until December 9, 2016, to transmit the treaty to the Senate. The strength of the opposition to the treaty and the fact that the Administration only acted when it had less than six weeks left in office make clear that the ATT has no chance of receiving the advice and consent of the Senate. Therefore, like a number of other treaties, it will await action by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) when the next Administration enters office."

Broadening the River

Brexit and the Arrival of Trump Signal the Beginning of an Exciting New Era of Closer and Deeper US-UK Relations, BrexitCentral, January 19, 2017. "So let’s try something new: focusing on reality. Let’s get a few solid accomplishments under our belt – starting, but not ending, with that trade deal – and then see how we feel about each other, and ourselves. I’d love to go back to the era of Roosevelt and Churchill, or Reagan and Thatcher, because they all combined great rhetoric with great achievements, but that’s not happening. Yet we do have the chance – because you now have the freedom, and we appear to have the desire – to break the mould, to do things that used to be impossible, or merely unthinkable. If politics allow us to make Churchill’s river that little broader for both our benefit, and for the years that will follow our new administrations, it would be folly not to take it."

Grade: Must Improve, But Didn't

Obama Did Not Learn from Foreign Policy Mistakes, Newsday, January 14, 2017. "During their time in office, most presidents learn. And usually their actions reflect what they’ve learned. That’s good: Learning is a vital part of being an effective leader, and it’s essential if you’re president. Regrettably, President Barack Obama doesn’t appear to be a good learner."

What the US Should Do in Europe

Recommitting the United States to European Security and Prosperity: Five Steps for the Incoming Administration, with Luke Coffey and Daniel Kochis, Heritage Foundation Issue Brief #4646, January 12, 2017. "Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. policy toward Europe has drifted far from its initial premises; Europe itself has changed beyond recognition. The U.S. needs to recognize this fact. President Trump should direct the National Security Council (NSC) to oversee a comprehensive study of U.S. policy toward Europe, a study based on enduring American interests in Europe, the lessons of the post-1945 era, and on the new features of Europe that have emerged since 1991."

Accountability Time

My Questions for the New Year, Newsday, January 1, 2017. "Commenting on current affairs is an ongoing lesson in humility. It’s a big world, and anyone who writes about it should be prepared to be wrong a lot. So at the end of the year, I like to practice some accountability by looking back to my last New Year’s column, and forward to the coming year."