Kim R. Holmes

HOLMES: What is ‘core’ foreign policy and what is not?

People are in an uproar over President Obama's speech last week at the United Nations. "The United States of America is prepared," he said, "to use all elements of our power, including military force, to secure our core interests in the region." Note the word "core."

October 2, 2013

HOLMES: Sorry history of the war powers debate

President Obama's about-face on seeking congressional authorization to strike Syria was ultimately a political decision. On the one hand, he claims it is not legally necessary, and yet he knows he's politically vulnerable. Thus he punted to Congress, demanding authorization to bolster support.

September 4, 2013

HOLMES: The perils of peace

Winston Churchill famously said, "To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war." That seems true enough — except when jaw-jaw is another way of making war-war. As the U.S. starts yet another round of peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, we had best remember the risks associated with past failed negotiations.

August 7, 2013

HOLMES: Second time’s no charm for flawed U.N. disability pact

If at first you don't succeed, try again. That seems to be the Obama administration's motto with respect to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

July 24, 2013

HOLMES: Coups, democracy and other questions in Egypt

Sen. John McCain thinks we should cut off aid to Egypt. It's a "coup," the Arizona Republican and 2008 presidential candidate says, and the law requires it.

July 10, 2013

HOLMES: Buy now, pay later for Medicaid expansion

"Get Cash Back Now!" Such signs are common in car dealerships. Salesmen always try to heighten the sense of urgency: "Buy today, before the offer expires, and you can get a rebate or a zero percent interest rate on your car loan."

March 20, 2013

HOLMES: Obama and a lost decade for America’s young adults

By the time President Obama leaves office in January 2017, the young people who helped catapult him into office will be nearly a decade older. And unless the economy turns around, it will be a lost decade, one of high unemployment and missed opportunities.

February 20, 2013

HOLMES: Who can our nation depend on to govern?

Have we lost the capacity for self-government? Looking at the "fiscal cliff" and other crises, you would think so.

January 9, 2013

HOLMES: A new approach to Syria

Syria is a test case for American leadership in the world. The obvious options are inadequate: Kofi Annan's U.N.-sponsored peace mission is a failure. Outside military intervention lacks support.

June 27, 2012

HOLMES: Democracy is more than elections

It's a democratic election, but the choice for Egyptian president is between representatives of two strains of anti-democratic forces: an Islamist party and a repressive military. The country's poor choice is a reflection that Egypt is not yet a democratic society.

June 13, 2012

HOLMES: Sometimes less is less

Economic austerity has hit the armed forces of the U.S. and Europe, and military leaders are trying to make the best of tight budgets.

May 30, 2012

HOLMES: The ‘austerity’ blame game

A new economic buzzword is on the loose. "Austerity" is meant to describe the spending cuts by governments in Europe. Such "austerity" is much reviled by newly elected French President Francois Hollande and by the radical parties elected in Greece.

May 16, 2012

HOLMES: Lawfare, Chinese style

Many people think the best way to deal with China is to make it a stakeholder in the international system. It's a good idea with respect to international trade and finance but has a serious flaw with respect to international law.

May 2, 2012

HOLMES: America’s ‘residence’ in Asia

The Obama administration wants to "pivot" U.S. foreign policy toward Asia. There are far too few details to know exactly what that means. In the meantime, the administration is right to highlight America's enduring interests in that region.

April 4, 2012

HOLMES: The failure of an idea

The United Nations Security Council passes a resolution noting "widespread and systematic attacks" on civilians and authorizing U.N. member states "to take all necessary measures ... to protect" them.

March 21, 2012

HOLMES: Why so few options in Syria?

Why are there so few options in Syria? After all, it is not every day that the Arab League favors the overthrow of a fellow Arab ruler.

February 22, 2012

HOLMES: Preventing the rise of safe havens for terrorists

President Obama's decision to accelerate the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan begs the question: What if the country again becomes a safe haven for terrorists? A recently leaked U.S. Army report for NATO shows that the Taliban believe they are winning and need only outlast us to regain control. If that happens, Afghanistan could become the terrorist safe haven it was before our 2001 intervention.

February 8, 2012

HOLMES: Obama defense strategy a masquerade

President Obama's new national defense strategy is a budget exercise masquerading as strategic plan. It rationalizes and double talks its way through an explanation that barely disguises the politics involved.

January 11, 2012

HOLMES: A two-tiered Europe

The European debt crisis has exposed a great divide between economic powerhouses such as Germany and poorer neighbors such as Greece, currently sinking in a sea of debt.

December 14, 2011

HOLMES: Finally, GOP candidates debate foreign policy

The GOP presidential candidates are discussing foreign policy. Finally! Over the next half decade, the occupant of the Oval Office may well confront foreign challenges far more serious than those arising on the domestic front.

November 16, 2011