Clifford D. May
Columns by Clifford D. May
The Kurds are not angels
Angels don't make great soldiers. And the Kurds, with American training, assistance, advice and combat air support, were enlisted to fight the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, a barbaric enemy of Americans, Kurds and other civilized nations. Published October 22, 2019
President Trump not ending the endless war in Syria
Mr. Trump's defenders say he is doing it for the troops, bringing them home where they'll be safe. But America's warriors volunteer not to be safe at home but to keep their fellow Americans safe at home by targeting our enemies wherever they live and plot. Published October 15, 2019
George Will and American power
For more than 40 years, George Will has been producing erudite political commentary. Most often, I find myself agreeing with the arguments presented in his twice-weekly columns for The Washington Post. When I don't, I have to wrack my brains to figure out why, and how I might frame a cogent dissent. Published October 8, 2019
Columbia University celebrates anti-Semitism
Malaysia's most celebrated Jew-hater is Mahathir Mohamad, the country's 94-year-old prime minister. Last week, Columbia University joined in the celebration. Published October 1, 2019
Why making deals with despots is difficult
Why are diplomats such clever negotiators? That's a trick question. They often are not. How would they acquire such skills? Published September 24, 2019
If John Bolton still had the president’s ear, he’d counsel against appeasing Iran
I'd sleep better if Ambassador Bolton were still on the job. He'd be the loudest and most vehement voice opposing both appeasement and isolationism. Published September 17, 2019
Another unhappy September 11 anniversary
On September 11, 2001, a sparkling late summer morning, enemies of America hijacked four passenger jets and turned them into guided missiles. Published September 10, 2019
The Islamic Republic lashes out
It's been 40 years since I've been to Iran. I'd love to return. At present, that seems inadvisable. Published September 3, 2019
Why Hong Kong has a right to self-determination
The other day, President Trump took it into his head to buy Greenland. That stirred outrage and anger. "Thankfully," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, "the time where you buy and sell other countries and populations is over." Published August 27, 2019
Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib: The anti-Israel lobby
While Ms. Tlaib and Ms. Omar support boycotting Israelis they profess outrage that Israelis might choose to boycott them. Published August 20, 2019
In Afghanistan, no deal is better than a bad deal
Two years ago this month, Zalmay Khalilzad, the distinguished diplomat who has served as America's ambassador to both Iraq and Afghanistan, praised President Trump for adopting "a realistic position regarding peace talks" with the Taliban, "moving away from President Barack Obama's pursuit of reconciliation regardless of the deteriorating military situation." Published August 13, 2019
Why endless wars can’t be ended
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." Plato made that incisive observation a rather long time ago. Published August 6, 2019
How art imitates life in Ukraine
Just over a year ago, Volodymyr Zelensky was a comic actor. One day, his rant against Ukrainian politics and politicians, surreptitiously recorded, goes viral on social media. The result: He's elected president of Ukraine with 67 percent of the vote. Published July 30, 2019
Getting human rights right
At the State Department, human rights have generally been a not-so-high priority. The big kahunas tend to focus on war and peace, allies and adversaries, national security and global economics. Published July 16, 2019
Who’s afraid of nationalism?
Is a new "age of nationalism already upon us?" That premise will be debated in Washington, July 14-16, at the "kick-off event" of the Edmund Burke Foundation, a fledgling public affairs institute dedicated to "strengthening the principles of national conservatism in Western and other democratic countries." Published July 9, 2019
Palestinians’ ‘opportunity of the century’
Abba Eban, who was serving as his country's foreign minister after Israel defended itself from Egypt, Syria and Jordan in the Six-Day War, is said to have lamented that Palestinians "never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity." Published July 2, 2019
Hong Kong freedom fighters deserve more support than they’re getting
"God has planted in every heart," President George W. Bush famously said, "the desire to live in freedom," I've never been convinced that's true. But the desire to live in freedom has been planted in some hearts. In Hong Kong in recent days, we've been witnessing a bracing demonstration. Published June 25, 2019
Why the Trump brand of nationalism works
Donald Trump strutted on the European stage last week and, it seems to me, put in a boffo performance. He wore white tie and tails. He charmed Queen Elizabeth. He gave the heroes of Normandy what may be, sadly, their final curtain call. Published June 11, 2019
Socialism rises from the grave
In 2002, Joshua Muravchik, a distinguished scholar, wrote a history of socialism which, he thought, might also be considered an epitaph for socialism. Published June 4, 2019
Talking to Trump may be how Iran leaders attempt to relieve the pain
Defenders of the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran predicted that President Trump's sanctions would have little impact unless our European friends joined in. They were dead wrong. Published May 28, 2019
