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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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Flags fly outside NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on November 16, 2022.
Flags fly outside NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on November 16, 2022. Yves Herman/REUTERS
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The President’s Inbox Recap: The Case for Liberal Internationalism

by Michelle Kurilla May 9, 2024

The liberal international order is more resilient than its critics recognize. 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
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
  • Ukraine
    The President’s Inbox Recap: Russia, Ukraine, and Global Instability
    The war in Ukraine reflects collisions in Russia-Ukraine relations, Europe-Russia relations, and U.S.-Russia relations.
    Blog Post by Michelle Kurilla April 18, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: The United States Is Facing a Second China Shock
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: China’s effort to solve its economic woes by doubling down on exports is creating a policy challenge for others. 
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 12, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: China’s Efforts to Interfere in the U.S. Presidential Election
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: China is following Russia’s lead in meddling in the U.S. presidential election.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 5, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • Middle East and North Africa
    The President’s Inbox Recap: The War in Gaza
    Sunday marks the six-month anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 3, 2024 The Water's Edge
  • United States
    Election 2024: Are Republicans Turning Isolationist?
    Each Friday, I look at what the presidential contenders are saying about foreign policy. This Week: Many Republicans have lost faith in their party’s traditional embrace of internationalism.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay March 29, 2024 The Water's Edge