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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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The south portico of the White House with clouds approaching.
The south portico of the White House with clouds approaching. Tim Evanson/Reuters
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Transition 2025: Donald Trump Builds His National Security Team

by James M. Lindsay November 15, 2024

Each Friday, I examine what is happening with President-elect Donald Trump’s transition to the White House. This week: Trump’s choices for senior positions on his national security team prize loyalty over qualifications and worldview.

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Featured

United States

Election 2024: How to Respond to the Axis of Autocracies
Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Increased cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will present the next president with tough choices.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay October 25, 2024 The Water's Edge

United States

Election 2024: Is the United States Ready to Confront the Axis of Autocracies?
Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Rising cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea will likely test whoever takes office on Inauguration Day.

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay October 18, 2024 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

Europe
How Putin Got the West Wrong
Vladimir Putin expected the invasion of Ukraine to divide the West. It did the opposite.
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 11, 2022 The Water's Edge
United States
The 2022 Midterm Congressional Elections by the Numbers
History suggests that control of Congress will change after November’s midterm elections.
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 8, 2022 The Water's Edge
Ukraine
Five Questions: Russia’s War on Ukraine
Five questions about how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will develop and what it means for the world.
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 4, 2022 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Ten Facts About the State of the Union Address
    President Biden delivers his first State of the Union speech tonight. Here are ten things you might not know about the tradition of having a president deliver an annual address.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 1, 2022 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Can President Biden’s State of the Union Address Unify Americans Over Ukraine?
    President Biden delivers his first State of the Union speech tomorrow night. Can he use this perilous moment to begin to reverse the nation’s deep divisions?  
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 28, 2022 The Water's Edge