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The Water's Edge

James M. Lindsay analyzes the politics shaping U.S. foreign policy and the sustainability of American power.

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A USAF B-52H Stratofortress bomber flies over Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain, on July 24, 2024.
A USAF B-52H Stratofortress bomber flies over Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain, on July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Happy 77th Birthday to the United States Air Force

by James M. Lindsay September 18, 2024

The United States Air Force marks seventy-seven years of service today.  Read More

Featured

2023 in Review

Ten World Figures Who Died in 2023
Ten people who passed away this year who shaped world affairs for better or worse.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 29, 2023 The Water's Edge

United States

Remembering Ten Americans Who Died in 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, here are ten Americans we lost this year who made a mark in foreign policy. 

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 28, 2023 The Water's Edge

United States

Ten Elections to Watch in 2024
Dozens of countries, constituting half the world’s population, will hold elections in 2024. Here are ten to watch.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 21, 2023 The Water's Edge

Climate Change

Ten Most Significant World Events in 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, here are the top ten most notable world events of the year.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 8, 2023 The Water's Edge

United States

Ten Anniversaries to Note in 2024
As 2023 comes to a close, here are ten notable historical anniversaries to mark in 2024.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 1, 2023 The Water's Edge

Global

The President's Inbox Episodes by Topic

A comprehensive list of each episode of The President's Inbox organized by topic. 

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 4, 2021 The Water's Edge

U.S. Foreign Policy

TWE Book and Film Recommendations
Looking for something to read or watch? Here is a list of all the books and films recommended on The Water’s Edge.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay November 10, 2021 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE History-Related Blogs and Videos
A list of all blog posts and videos reflecting on historical events from The Water's Edge. 

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 1, 2021 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE Remembers: Learning More About the Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban missile crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to nuclear war than any other event during the Cold War. President John F. Kennedy put the odds of war at “somewhere bet…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay October 16, 2012 The Water's Edge

United States

The History of the Cold War in 40 Quotes
On Monday, I posted my nominees for ten Cold War histories worth reading. But many people don’t have the time or patience to plow through comprehensive histories. So for TWE readers looking to save t…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay November 7, 2014 The Water's Edge

Vietnam

The Vietnam War in Forty Quotes
Last month, I did a series of posts commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of U.S. combat troops in Vietnam on March 8, 1965. Today marks another significant date in the Vietnam War: t…

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 30, 2015 The Water's Edge

United States
The President’s Inbox Recap: America’s New Cold Wars
The post-Cold War era is over and a dangerous new era of great power competition has begun.
Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla May 23, 2024 The Water's Edge
Election 2024
Election 2024: Biden Raises Tariffs on China
Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: President Joe Biden imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising tensions with Beijing and slowing America’s green transition.
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay May 17, 2024 The Water's Edge
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The President’s Inbox Recap: The Impact of AI on Warfare
Artificial intelligence will transform how wars are fought.
Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla May 16, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Where the Presidential Race Stands With Six Months to Go
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Joe Biden and Donald Trump remain locked in a tight contest where third-party candidates could decide the outcome.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay May 10, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • Grand Strategy
    The President’s Inbox Recap: The Case for Liberal Internationalism
    The liberal international order is more resilient than its critics recognize.
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla May 9, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Trump Talks Foreign Policy With Time Magazine
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Donald Trump gave his most detailed interview on foreign policy yet. He made some dubious claims but didn’t call for America to come home.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay May 3, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • China
    The President’s Inbox Recap: A Second China Shock
    A surge in Chinese manufacturing exports is threatening jobs in many countries, not just the United States.
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla May 2, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Is Donald Trump an Isolationist?
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Donald Trump has long criticized U.S. foreign policy. That doesn’t mean he wants America to “come home.”
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 26, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Donald Trump Declines to Fight Aid to Ukraine
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Donald Trump has chosen to stand aside as the House of Representatives moves to vote on aid to Ukraine.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 19, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • Israel
    The President’s Inbox Recap: Iran’s Attack on Israel
    The unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel raises concerns of a wider Middle East conflict.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 19, 2024 The Water's Edge