https://www.cfr.org/ James M. Lindsay analyzes the politics shaping U.S. foreign policy and the sustainability of American power. en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:58:00 -0400 https://www.cfr.org/blog/conversation-about-best-and-worst-us-foreign-policy-decisions I  James M. Lindsay America at 250 The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post History and Theory of International Relations Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/blog/conversation-about-best-and-worst-us-foreign-policy-decisions Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:07:46 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/best-and-worst-foreign-policy-decisions-us-history The United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding this year. James M. Lindsay America at 250 The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions History of War Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/blog/best-and-worst-foreign-policy-decisions-us-history Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:38:26 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/did-dean-acheson-unintentionally-encourage-start-korean-war What you don’t say can sometimes matter as much as what you do say. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/did-dean-acheson-unintentionally-encourage-start-korean-war Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:50:31 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/sen-arthur-vandenbergs-conversion-internationalism In a James M. Lindsay America at 250 Isolationism The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post World War II https://www.cfr.org/blog/sen-arthur-vandenbergs-conversion-internationalism Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:04:53 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/constitution-war-power-and-ludlow-amendment American history is rife with examples of bad policy ideas capturing the public imagination. James M. Lindsay America at 250 Constitutional Law The Water's Edge United States Polls and Public Opinion Political History and Theory Post Politics and Government https://www.cfr.org/blog/constitution-war-power-and-ludlow-amendment Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:47:48 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/senate-moves-limit-trump-venezuela As Benjamin Franklin left the concluding session of the Constitutional Convention in September 17 James M. Lindsay Article The Water's Edge United States Venezuela Political History and Theory U.S. Foreign Policy Program Politics and Government Presidential History Trump https://www.cfr.org/article/senate-moves-limit-trump-venezuela Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:15:01 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/wilsons-fourteen-points-set-new-vision-world-peace Every U.S. president has left his mark, for good or for ill, on U.S. foreign policy. James M. Lindsay America at 250 Article Public Diplomacy The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Diplomacy and International Institutions Presidential History World War I https://www.cfr.org/article/wilsons-fourteen-points-set-new-vision-world-peace Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:50:34 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/fdrs-four-freedoms-state-union-address-challenged-us-isolationism The United States celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026. James M. Lindsay America at 250 Article The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory U.S. Foreign Policy Program Presidential History World War II https://www.cfr.org/article/fdrs-four-freedoms-state-union-address-challenged-us-isolationism Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:11:20 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-most-significant-world-events-2025 Sign up to receive CFR President Mike Froman’s analysis on the most James M. Lindsay 2025 in Review Article The Water's Edge U.S.-China Relations U.S. Foreign Policy Program Sudan Diplomacy and International Institutions Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Artificial Intelligence (AI) https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-most-significant-world-events-2025 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:24:11 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-sixth-birthday-us-space-force The  James M. Lindsay Anniversaries and Commemorations The Water's Edge United States Space Force United States Space Post Military History https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-sixth-birthday-us-space-force Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:52:38 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-elections-watch-2026 Voters in seventy countries turned out in 2025 to pick their leaders. James M. Lindsay 2025 in Review Article Brazil Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy The Water's Edge Israel United States Elections and Voting Authoritarianism https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-elections-watch-2026 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:16:06 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-anniversaries-note-2026 Anniversaries mark the passage of time, recall our triumphs, and honor our losses. James M. Lindsay 2025 in Review Anniversaries and Commemorations Article Global History The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/article/ten-anniversaries-note-2026 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:43:21 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/thanking-americas-veterans-6 Today is Veterans Day. James M. Lindsay Anniversaries and Commemorations The Water's Edge United States National Security and Defense Program Post Military History Veterans https://www.cfr.org/blog/thanking-americas-veterans-6 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:14:17 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-250th-birthday-us-marine-corps The U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy had big birthdays earlier this year. Now it’s the U.S. James M. Lindsay Anniversaries and Commemorations Naval and Maritime History The Water's Edge U.S. Marine Corps United States National Security and Defense Program Post Military History https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-250th-birthday-us-marine-corps Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:20:49 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-250th-birthday-us-navy All birthdays are worth celebrating. Some, however, are bigger than others. James M. Lindsay Anniversaries and Commemorations The Water's Edge United States Navy United States Military Operations National Security and Defense Program Post Military History https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-250th-birthday-us-navy Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:33:21 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-addresses-un-general-assembly Six years after last speaking to the UN General Assembly, President Donald Trump took full advant James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions The War in Ukraine Trump United Nations https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-addresses-un-general-assembly Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:40:56 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-78th-birthday-united-states-air-force The United States Ai James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Air Force United States National Security and Defense Program Air Power and Military Aircraft Post Military History https://www.cfr.org/blog/happy-78th-birthday-united-states-air-force Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:12:10 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/article/happy-birthday-united-states-army All birthdays are worth celebrating, but some are bigger than others. James M. Lindsay Article The Water's Edge United States Army United States Military History Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/article/happy-birthday-united-states-army Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:09:03 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-china-philippines-standoff On the Oscar Berry China Strategy Initiative The Water's Edge International Law Philippines U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Politics and Government Maritime Security South China Sea https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-china-philippines-standoff Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:14:20 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-united-states-and-south-africa On the Oscar Berry Africa Program The Water's Edge South Africa U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-united-states-and-south-africa Fri, 30 May 2025 13:16:17 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/remembering-those-whom-memorial-day-honors-2 Monday is Memorial Day. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Political History and Theory Post Military History U.S. Department of Defense https://www.cfr.org/blog/remembering-those-whom-memorial-day-honors-2 Fri, 23 May 2025 14:56:15 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-india-pakistan-crisis On the Oscar Berry Drone Warfare The Water's Edge Asia Program India Terrorism and Counterterrorism Kashmir Pakistan Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-india-pakistan-crisis Thu, 22 May 2025 17:14:17 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-iran-nuclear-talks On the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge Iran Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament Middle East Program U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Middle East Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-iran-nuclear-talks Fri, 16 May 2025 16:42:14 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-us-china-trade-war On the Oscar Berry China Strategy Initiative Inside China Tariffs The Water's Edge U.S.-China Relations China U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Economic Statecraft Trade War Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-us-china-trade-war Wed, 07 May 2025 14:15:19 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/article/vietnam-war-ended-fifty-years-ago-today Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. When P James M. Lindsay Article The Water's Edge United States Cold War History of War Military History Vietnam War https://www.cfr.org/article/vietnam-war-ended-fifty-years-ago-today Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:09:08 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-first-100-days Today marks one hundred days since Donald Trump took office as the forty-seventh president of the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Donald Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-first-100-days Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:04:18 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/article/first-100-days-trumps-foreign-policy-disruption-just-beginning James M. Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies distinguished senior fellow in U.S. James M. Lindsay Article The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Politics and Government Trump https://www.cfr.org/article/first-100-days-trumps-foreign-policy-disruption-just-beginning Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:14:24 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-climate-change-realism-earth-day-2025 On the Oscar Berry Climate Realism The Water's Edge United States Energy and Climate Policy Climate Change Post Diplomacy and International Institutions Energy and Environment Geoengineering https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-climate-change-realism-earth-day-2025 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:56:16 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-plan-panama-canal On the Oscar Berry China Strategy Initiative The Water's Edge Trade Latin America Studies Program U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Panama Central America Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-plan-panama-canal Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:54:04 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-confronting-china On the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge U.S.-China Relations China United States Grand Strategy Defense and Security U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Taiwan Cold War https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-confronting-china Thu, 10 Apr 2025 11:52:08 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/five-things-know-about-trumps-tariffs Donald Trump campaigned last year promising to impose tariffs at levels the United States had not James M. Lindsay RealEcon Tariffs The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Economic Statecraft International Economics Trade War Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/five-things-know-about-trumps-tariffs Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:30:27 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-new-era-economic-warfare On the Oscar Berry Economic Warfare Sanctions The Water's Edge Iran Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies Russia U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post International Economics https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-new-era-economic-warfare Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:14:28 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-conflict-eastern-congo On the Oscar Berry Africa Program Democratic Republic of Congo The Water's Edge Africa Post Rwanda Eastern Congo Humanitarian Crises Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-conflict-eastern-congo Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:49:13 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-public-support-ukraine-grows Last Friday, James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Polls and Public Opinion U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post The War in Ukraine Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-public-support-ukraine-grows Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:13:33 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trumps-slumping-poll-numbers President Donald Trump passed the fifty-day mark in his second presidency this week. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Polls and Public Opinion U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Politics and Government Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trumps-slumping-poll-numbers Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:17:18 EDT The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-us-space-policy On the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge United States Space Force United States Space U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-us-space-policy Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:52:54 EDT The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-reporting-china On the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge U.S.-China Relations China Media U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Social Media https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-reporting-china Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:58:14 EST The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trump-makes-his-case-joint-session-congress President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow night at 9 p.m. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Presidential History Trump U.S. Congress https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trump-makes-his-case-joint-session-congress Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:40:42 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-and-zelenskyy-clash-oval-office What a difference twenty-four hours makes. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States National Security and Defense Program U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions The War in Ukraine Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-and-zelenskyy-clash-oval-office Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:12:39 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-peace-plan-ukraine On the Oscar Berry The Water's Edge United States Grand Strategy Defense and Security National Security and Defense Program U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions The War in Ukraine Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-trumps-peace-plan-ukraine Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:00:26 EST The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-modi-meets-trump The Oscar Berry The Water's Edge India United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions Narendra Modi Trump U.S.-India Relations https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-modi-meets-trump Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:39:52 EST The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/article/twe-celebrates-presidents-day Monday is Presidents’ Day. James M. Lindsay Article Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy The Water's Edge United States Heads of State and Government Political History and Theory Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/article/twe-celebrates-presidents-day Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:28:47 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-world-permanent-crisis The Oscar Berry The Water's Edge Grand Strategy U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post History and Theory of International Relations World Order https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-world-permanent-crisis Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:26:58 EST The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/article/presidents-day-quiz Monday is Presidents’ Day. James M. Lindsay Article The Water's Edge United States Heads of State and Government Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/article/presidents-day-quiz Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:12:58 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-deepseek-upends-competition-artificial-intelligence The Oscar Berry The Water's Edge China United States Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program Technology and Innovation Post Artificial Intelligence (AI) https://www.cfr.org/blog/presidents-inbox-recap-deepseek-upends-competition-artificial-intelligence Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:19:40 EST The Water's Edge Oscar Berry https://www.cfr.org/blog/costs-trumps-foreign-policy-disruption Donald Trump ran for the White House James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States Defense and Security U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Foreign Policy Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/costs-trumps-foreign-policy-disruption Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:59:52 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trumps-disruptive-first-days Hit the ground running. Get off to a flying start. Start with a bang. Burst out of the gate. James M. Lindsay The Water's Edge United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Diplomacy and International Institutions Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/donald-trumps-disruptive-first-days Fri, 24 Jan 2025 13:36:13 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/transition-2025-us-foreign-policy-eve-disruption Donald Trump made clear during his presidential campaign that he wants to upend U.S. James M. Lindsay Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy The Water's Edge Transition 2025 United States U.S. Foreign Policy Program Post Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/transition-2025-us-foreign-policy-eve-disruption Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:07:56 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/remembering-best-and-worst-presidential-inaugural-addresses-0 On Monday, Donald Trump gets to do what only thirty-nine other Americans have ever done: give a p James M. Lindsay Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy The Water's Edge Transition 2025 United States Post Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/blog/remembering-best-and-worst-presidential-inaugural-addresses-0 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 09:01:23 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay https://www.cfr.org/blog/twelve-things-you-probably-do-not-know-about-presidential-inaugurations Donald Trump will take the oath of office at noon Monday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. James M. Lindsay Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy The Water's Edge Transition 2025 United States Post Presidential History https://www.cfr.org/blog/twelve-things-you-probably-do-not-know-about-presidential-inaugurations Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:33:45 EST The Water's Edge James M. Lindsay