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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

Global
The President’s Inbox Recap: International Women’s Day
Adolescence is one of the most formative periods in a girl’s life.
Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla March 13, 2024 The Water's Edge
Development
The President’s Inbox Recap: Combating Global Poverty
Economic development work is aimed at long-term change in the world’s poorest countries.
Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla March 12, 2024 The Water's Edge
United States
Election 2024: Joe Biden Makes the Case for Ukraine Aid
Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: President Joe Biden used his State of the Union Address to urge Congress to provide military aid to Ukraine.
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 8, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • Ukraine
    The President’s Inbox Recap: Year Three of the Ukraine War
    February 24 marked the beginning of the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla March 5, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Ten Facts About the State of the Union Address
    President Biden will deliver the annual State of the Union address on Thursday night. 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 5, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    The President’s Inbox Recap: Governance of Artificial Intelligence
    The United States is behind its peers when it comes to regulating artificial intelligence (AI).
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla March 4, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: President Joe Biden Delivers His Third State of the Union Address
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Joe Biden will likely stress his domestic achievements over his foreign policy challenges when he addresses a divided nation next Thursday.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 1, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Close Presidential Elections Have Become the Norm
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: It will be a break from recent practice if either party’s nominee wins big in November.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 23, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Donald Trump Says He Will Not Protect “Delinquent” NATO Members
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: The forty-fifth president says he will encourage Russia to attack NATO countries who don’t spend enough on defense.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 16, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    A Presidents’ Day Quiz
    The thirteenth annual TWE Presidents' Day quiz.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 15, 2024 The Water's Edge