Clifford D. May
Columns by Clifford D. May
The problem with tyrants like Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin
We're inclined to believe that those who rule nations, however despotic they may be, are not so different from us. Published October 4, 2022
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman means to transform the kingdom
The last time I visited Saudi Arabia was in February 2017. Changes were occurring. "Baby steps," as one savvy young Saudi woman told me, adding: "There is at least an acknowledgment that we need to evolve." Published September 27, 2022
Fascism for dummies
Fascism seems to be all the rage these days. I'll give you a few examples. Published September 13, 2022
Pelosi showing up in Taiwan is not enough
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi cares deeply about the people of Taiwan as she has throughout her long career. That's my story and I'm going to try my darnedest to stick to it. Published August 30, 2022
Impact of Biden’s capitulation to the Taliban
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, changed the lives of many Americans, mine among them. Published August 23, 2022
Reporters in Gaza have never been free
Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood branch that rules Gaza, sat out this month's conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a smaller Gaza-based terrorist group tied to Iran's rulers. Published August 16, 2022
The ‘forever war’ against the West
Just under a year ago, President Biden asked, "What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point with al Qaeda gone?" Published August 9, 2022
Why the U.S. should stop subsidizing Tehran’s proxy Lebanon
Lebanon was once a noble experiment. Published August 2, 2022
Climate change is not a national security emergency
President Biden entered the Oval Office planning to make climate change his national security priority. Published July 26, 2022
Biden’s mission to the Middle East goes south
President Biden's mission to the Middle East had been going so well. Published July 19, 2022
What China’s ‘Cold War’ rulers want from U.S.
Bipartisanship is rare in Washington these days. Christopher Wray is an exception -- sort of. Published July 12, 2022
U.S. must lead in shaping the future of the world
Altruism is a virtue. But altruism is not a serious basis for foreign policy. So, if you support Ukraine's resistance to Russian conquest only because it's a David-vs.-Goliath struggle you're a good person. But you're not thinking seriously about foreign policy. Published July 5, 2022
Nikki Haley’s approach to foreign policy not based on wishful thinking
Foreign policy and national security are arcane disciplines, but with experience comes expertise. Or not. Published June 28, 2022
Westerners, too, are waging a ‘War on the West’
Vladimir Putin's Russia. Xi Jinping's China. Ali Khamenei's Iran. Al-Qaida. The Islamic State. These and other actors are waging a war on the West, a war against Western power and values. Published June 21, 2022
Death of international law: Flouted by despots and weaponized against small nations
"Do you think that the time of international law has passed?" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked that of the United Nations Security Council last month. It's a serious question. Published June 14, 2022
Rue Britannia? Russian, Iranian and Chinese imperialism is what should concern us
Though I'm no monarchist, I can't help but admire Queen Elizabeth II. The old girl had a job to do, and she's been doing it -- with discipline and dignity -- for 70 years. Published June 7, 2022
Turkey: NATO’s problem child
Turkey is a long way from the North Atlantic, yet it is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Published May 24, 2022
Tyrannical dictator Putin gives new life to NATO
Credit where credit is due: Russian President Vladimir Putin is revitalizing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an alliance that has never been obsolete but had become obsolescent. Published May 17, 2022
A letter to J.D. Vance: Ukraine, Russia, and the American national interest
Congratulations on winning the Ohio Senate GOP primary! What an amazing American journey you're having! Published May 10, 2022
Iran’s rulers demanding too much even for Biden
For months, the smart money has been betting that a nuclear deal between President Biden and Iran's rulers was a sure thing. Published May 3, 2022