Clifford D. May

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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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. Published 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? Published 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. Published June 18, 2024

Europe’s Hamasniks: U.N., Norway, Spain, Ireland and others back the terrorists

The flag of the United Nations was flown at half-staff last week to honor the late Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran who was killed May 19 in a helicopter crash. Published May 28, 2024

A frozen conflict at best: Biden’s substitute for victory in Ukraine

President Biden is helping Ukrainians defend themselves. But he doesn't want Russia to suffer a serious defeat. Published May 21, 2024

Biden turns on Israel

Hamas leaders understand that the more the Palestinians in Gaza suffer, the more Israelis will be blamed, punished and demonized by the international community. Published May 14, 2024

China’s Communist rulers intend to replace America, establish new world order

It's been said that the last thing a fish is likely to be aware of is water. By the same token, the last thing most Americans are likely to be aware of is the world order. Published May 7, 2024

Ideological cocktail poisons American campuses

Back in December, the eminent historian Niall Ferguson wrote an essay in The Free Press that, it is now apparent, presaged the tidal wave of demonstrations now inundating college campuses around the country. Published April 30, 2024

Khamenei’s war aims: Iranian ruler intends to establish an empire, exterminate Israelis

I'm sure you've heard commentators describe Iran and Israel as "rivals" engaged in a "tit-for-tat" conflict. That misinterprets reality. Published April 23, 2024

U.S. intelligence agencies must be allowed to listen in on enemies

Last weekend's attacks on Israel could have been worse if Iran's rulers had instructed their U.S.-based operatives to simultaneously carry out a terrorist attack, and our intelligence agencies failed to learn about it. Published April 16, 2024

Wavering Biden sends message to America’s enemies and allies

"Today, the people of Israel are under attack, orchestrated by a terrorist organization, Hamas." So said President Biden six months ago Sunday. Published April 9, 2024

Iran’s nuclear buildup reflects failure of both Democratic, Republican administrations

In 1993, a massive truck bomb exploded at the World Trade Center, the first major international terrorist attack on American soil. Published April 2, 2024

Israelis will fight Hamas on their own if they must

"Israel Alone" is the headline on the cover of the March 23 issue of The Economist, a British weekly. The illustration shows an Israeli flag buffeted by a sandstorm. Published March 26, 2024