Clifford D. May

America’s enemies not interested in diplomatic solutions

Both the U.S. and Canada claim a tiny, barren island off the coast of Maine. If Washington and Ottawa wanted to settle the dispute over Machias Seal Island, they could send diplomats to find a solution.

October 1, 2024

Israel sends pagers into battle with Hezbollah as Biden sounds another retreat

The long war that Iran's rulers and their proxies have been waging against Israel took an unexpected turn last week.

September 24, 2024

Antisemitism should be crippled whenever it arises

They say you can't kill an idea. Who are they? Quite a few people mouth this bromide, but let's focus for a moment on Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat.

September 17, 2024

Twenty-three years into the long war, the threat matrix keeps expanding

Twenty-three years ago, on the sunny morning of Sept. 11, 2001, close to 3,000 people were murdered on American soil by 19 terrorists.

September 10, 2024

McMaster and commander: 13 months as Trump’s national security adviser

I've never worked in the White House, but I've spent time with people who have. Some were devoted - almost religiously - to the man in the Oval Office.

September 3, 2024

Iran holds its fire

For weeks, Israelis have been bracing themselves -- as headline writers like to put it -- for a new wave of attacks from Iran's rulers. After the July 31 killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a well-guarded government guesthouse in Tehran, the theocrats had threatened severe revenge.

August 27, 2024

America’s self-defeat in Afghanistan

When World War II ended -- not in a "cease-fire" or "responsible exit strategy" or "peace deal" but with the unconditional surrender of our enemies -- the United States was determined to create a new world order.

August 20, 2024

China’s most powerful communist regime ever threatens its democratic neighbor Taiwan

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting," declared Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese military strategist.

August 13, 2024

America held hostage by dictators

To no one's surprise, Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen and accredited foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal in Russia, was sentenced last Friday to 16 years in a high-security penal colony on charges of espionage.

July 23, 2024

The war in cyberspace: America’s top spy is warning you

Last week, I received a message from America's top spy. You did, too, but if you missed it, no worries. I'll fill you in.

July 16, 2024

What would a two-state solution solve?

I don't oppose a two-state solution. Nor do I oppose Tinker Bell. I just seriously doubt that either exists.

July 9, 2024

The jihadi-leftist convergence

Younger readers may not have heard of Carlos the Jackal, and older readers may have forgotten (because sometimes that's how it goes, as we were reminded last week). So, let me tell you his story.

July 2, 2024

Would Trump reestablish peace through strength?

Suppose President Biden wins reelection. Will he revise his approach to national security and foreign policy? He should, don't you think?

June 25, 2024

Cease-fire won’t end Israel’s long war

The Nova Music Festival was billed as a celebration of "friends, love and infinite freedom." Last Oct. 6, attendees from more than two dozen countries gathered in Israel's Negev Desert, just 3 miles from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, to sing, dance and celebrate peace through the night.

June 18, 2024