Clifford D. May
Columns by Clifford D. May
Trump’s first 100 days
It's apparent that Donald Trump was -- to employ a neologism coined by President George W. Bush 16 years ago -- misunderestimated. But those who gave odds that he couldn't transform from a successful businessman into a successful politician are now betting he can't transform from a successful politician into a successful statesman. Published January 3, 2017
Obama throwing Israel to the U.N.’s wolves
Palestinian Islamic Jihad is, as its name suggests, an organization committed to jihad — against Israel most urgently, though not exclusively. So when the U.N. Security Council on Friday passed a resolution condemning Israel, PIJ spokesman Dawood Shihab was pleased. He called it a "victory." He wasn't wrong. Published December 27, 2016
Syria horrors seemingly unending
Over the last five years, Syria has been descending into a hell on Earth. Over the last four months, the lowest depths of the inferno have been on display in Aleppo, an ancient city, once among the most diverse and dynamic in the Middle East. On Friday, in the final press conference of his presidency, Barack Obama addressed this still-unfolding humanitarian and strategic catastrophe. Published December 20, 2016
How Obama and Iran are like Eisenhower Egypt
The Islamic Republic of Iran is, according to no less an authority than the U.S. government, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, suicide-bombed U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. Iranian-backed Shia militias killed hundreds of American troops in Iraq more recently. Published December 13, 2016
Mahmoud Abbas, no champion of democracy for Palestinians
One man, one vote, one time: In 2005, Mahmoud Abbas was elected to a four-year term as president of the Palestinian Authority. He hasn't bothered to run for re-election since. Published December 6, 2016
Donald Trump’s top priorities should be prosperity, security, freedom
Slowly and perhaps even surely, Donald Trump is pulling together a team he believes can help him achieve his goals. Which are what exactly? Published November 29, 2016
Constitution upholds states’ rights
The People's Democratic Republic of Oregon. That has a kind of ring to it, don't you think? The reason this phrase has crystalized in my mind: Just after it was confirmed that Donald Trump had defeated Hillary Clinton, a petition was submitted for a ballot initiative to have Oregon secede from these United States. Published November 22, 2016
Donald Trump’s victories pale in comparison to challenges ahead
First and foremost: Nothing is more pivotal to democratic governance then holding free and fair elections that lead to a peaceful transference of power. Over the past week, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama all demonstrated that they get that. This is an achievement that should not be taken for granted -- an achievement that remains out of reach in too many of the world's nations. Published November 15, 2016
The Islamist war against history
"He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past." This, as you may recall, was the slogan of the totalitarian state imagined by George Orwell in 1984, his classic novel. Published November 8, 2016
The ideals of 1776
Andrew Roberts, one of the world's great historians, took America to task last week. Let me rephrase that: He took Americans to task for what they -- or rather we -- are doing to these United States during an election season that often seems like a satirical novel, albeit one that would have benefited from more rigorous editing. Published November 1, 2016
The Battle of Mosul
Ayman al-Zawahiri was correct. Believed to be ensconced in the tribal lands of Pakistan, the leader of what's sometimes called al Qaeda Central has dedicated his life to a jihad that he hopes and prays will lead to the founding of a new and mighty Islamic empire. But he understands the value of strategic patience. Published October 25, 2016
A final stab at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
You're probably familiar with the old story about the inebriated guy looking for his wallet at night under a streetlight -- not because that's where he dropped it but because what would be the point of poking around in the dark? This, in essence, has been the American approach to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for years. Published October 18, 2016
The problem with processed peace
When peace-loving people sit down together in a spirit of compromise they can find ways to resolve their conflicts. Does it follow that negotiations with those who don't care a fig about peace and reject compromise also lead to good results? Published October 11, 2016
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act a strategic mistake in counterterrorism
For almost eight years, I've waited for Congress to stand up to President Obama, to demonstrate that the legislative branch is still -- as the Founders envisioned -- coequal to the executive branch, that senators and representatives are more than a commentariat, a Greek chorus appearing on the cable TV stage. Published October 4, 2016
Who decides which immigrants, how many can come to U.S.
Millions of people want to come to America. Actually, it's tens of millions or perhaps hundreds of millions. Some Americans believe our borders should be open -- that everyone has a "right" to live in the United States. That seems to me both mistaken and impractical. Published September 27, 2016
‘Political correctness’ finds a new target
In "Nineteen Eighty-Four," George Orwell's classic novel about a totalitarian and dystopian future, the ruling Party develops "Newspeak" as way to limit freedom of expression and thought. So, for example, "goodthink" refers to thoughts approved by the Party. That which is not "goodthink" is apt to be "crimethink." Published September 20, 2016
President Obama’s plans to close Guantanamo, establish closer ties with Asia-Pacific nations
Barack Obama is now in his final days as president but, as he made clear on his visit to Asia last week, there are goals he still hopes to achieve before leaving office. Published September 13, 2016
How the world has changed since 9/11
The 15th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 should be a time for mourning, commemoration, reflection -- and strategic planning. Published September 6, 2016
Iran and the future of the Middle East
Nixon went to China. Obama will not be going to Iran. Published August 30, 2016
The George Soros smear effect
Washington is not an easy-going town. You come here to argue policy with the big boys -- you should expect some rough-and-tumble. But you also should expect clean fights -- no biting, no spitting, no hitting below the belt. Whatever else divides us, we all value free speech and edifying debate, right? Published August 23, 2016
