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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
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
Ukraine
The President’s Inbox Recap: The Future of the War in Ukraine
Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive failed to produce the big breakthrough that Kyiv and its supporters hoped for.
Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla December 27, 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
  • United States
    Happy 4th Birthday to the U.S. Space Force!
    The newest branch of the U.S. military marks its fourth year of service. 
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 20, 2023 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: What Would Donald Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy Look Like?
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: A second Trump presidency would shift U.S. foreign policy in a more nationalist and unilateralist direction.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 16, 2023 The Water's Edge
  • South Korea
    The President’s Inbox Recap: The U.S.-South Korea Alliance
    Developments at home and abroad are testing U.S.-South Korea relations.
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla December 15, 2023 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: The Fourth Republican Presidential Debate
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Substance took a back seat when four Republican presidential candidates took the debate stage in Alabama.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 8, 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
  • Israel
    The President’s Inbox Recap: The Renewed Fighting in Gaza
    The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 7, 2023 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: The Republican Presidential Candidates on Climate Change
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This week: Some Republican presidential candidates agree the planet is warming, but none has made tackling climate change a priority.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 1, 2023 The Water's Edge