Daniel Larison
Daniel Larison
Obama's fractured Israel policy
Obama has pro-Israel credibility among Arabs, where it does him no good. But he lacks it where he most needs it, leaving him powerless to enforce his demand for a freeze on Israeli settlements.
Gen. McChrystal is a good soldier
After the politicization of military 'recommendations' by the Bush administration, Gen. McChrystal's candor is as welcome as his new strategy.
GOP foreign policy elite still clueless
On foreign policy, Obama is trying to undo the damage of the Bush years. Why do David Frum and other Republicans want to stop him?
Making a fetish of democracy
From Iraq to Afghanistan and beyond, Washington remains in thrall to the idea that democratization will make other nations more peaceful and reliable allies. It isn't true.
Japan's election will force change in Washington
A change of power in Tokyo this weekend will transform Japan into a truly multi-party democracy. But it will also make Japan a more independent operator on the world stage—one less inclined to follow the dictates of U.S. foreign policy.
Killing Taliban leaders isn't enough
To diminish support for the Taliban ... there eventually must be greater accommodation of the aggrieved population’s interests. If those grievances cannot be accommodated, it will not matter how many (Baitullah) Mehsuds our forces assassinate.
Biden is no loose cannon
Joe Biden keeps getting grief for putting his foot in his mouth, especially on matters of foreign policy. But there may be a method to his supposed madness.
Obama follows Bush's passage to India
Obama must have been tempted to adopt an 'Anything but Bush' foreign policy. But in India, at least, he has wisely followed his predecessor's lead.
Talking to tyrants in Iran
There are no guarantees that direct U.S. engagement with Iran will improve the fortunes of Iranian reformers, but it will help them more than new sanctions will.
The Mullahs will win: Deal with it.
The hard-liners in Iran will likely survive. But the regime will be more likely to strike a deal with the U.S. as a result of this week's dramatic protests.
Obama in Cairo: Not far enough
The president achieved something. But he failed to reach the one audience that really matters.
Obama, Huntsman, and Republican oblivion
President Obama's nomination of Republican Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be ambassador to China has left the struggling GOP even more marginalized on foreign policy—and they don't even seem to realize it.
