Open Season: The assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the outset of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran sets a dangerous precedent. Here, A poster of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an anti-U.S. placard are carried in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2026.

Law and Justice

Amid War in Mideast, Lingering Questions Over Killing Iran’s Leader

by James D. Zirin April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Assassination isn’t illegal under U.S. law, but don’t tell Trump. A legal primer.

Drone Dominance: The conflict in the Middle East is showing the value of Ukraine’s weapons systems and military tactics. Here, an instructor demonstrates the operation of a drone designed to destroy Russian attack drones in the Kyiv region, March, 2026.

Magazine

Ukraine’s Way of War is Coming to the Persian Gulf

by Tamar Jacoby April 2, 2026May 5, 2026

Unequal Economics: Guests attend a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol with members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus on Equal Pay Day, March 26, 2026.

Newsletter

Women Are Getting Slammed in Trump’s Economy

by Anne Kim March 29, 2026March 27, 2026

Anything, Again: President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Washington, with a model of a B-2 stealth bomber in front of him.

Newsletter

“I Could Do Anything”: Trump’s Dangerous Mantra

by Gillen Tener Martin March 22, 2026March 20, 2026

Iranian Drones: Iran’s drones can be rapidly rebuilt, even in wartime. Pictured here, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, left, who was killed in the airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and Israel, and then Defense Minister Gen. Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani review domestically built drones in a ceremony to deliver the drones to the army.

Foreign Policy

Asymmetric War in Iran: How Trump and the U.S. Are Being Played

by Mike Lofgren March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

War Windfalls: Following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, a barrel of oil passed the $100 mark for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Here, the price per gallon of gas is shown at a gas station in New York, NY on March 9, 2026.

The Monopolized Economy

Another War, Another Excuse for Profiteering

by Hal Singer March 10, 2026March 11, 2026

The Art of War: Then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up his book “The Art of the Deal,” as he speaks during a campaign stop on Nov. 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Foreign Policy

With Iran, Obama Displayed “The Art of the Deal.” Trump Didn’t

by Bill Scher March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Legality Lacking: “Normal international relations” are impossible if a head of state can be murdered whenever another head of state feels like it. Here, an Iranian flag is placed among the ruins of a police station struck Monday during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Foreign Policy

All the Ways Trump’s War on Iran Is Disastrous

by Bill Scher March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Politics

No Kings, Just Chaos

by The Editors June 16, 2025July 16, 2025

Support the Washington Monthly

Founded in 1969, the Washington Monthly is an independent media organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission: To preserve democracy and champion good governance through honest journalism and thoughtful commentary.

We’re not a subsidiary of a giant media company or a mouthpiece for ideologues. We’re independent, listened to by insiders and willing to take on sacred cows—liberal and conservative.

Yes, I'll Make a Donation

Israel vs. Iran

Amid War in Mideast, Lingering Questions Over Killing Iran’s Leader

Ukraine’s Way of War is Coming to the Persian Gulf

Asymmetric War in Iran: How Trump and the U.S. Are Being Played

Another War, Another Excuse for Profiteering

With Iran, Obama Displayed “The Art of the Deal.” Trump Didn’t

All the Ways Trump’s War on Iran Is Disastrous

No Kings, Just Chaos

Call Them ‘Common Sense Democrats’

Congress Should Stop Russ Vought’s Latest Power Grab

One Internal Pollster Saw the Primary Results Coming

Hey Industry, Stop Sponging Off, and Start Contributing to, the Colleges That Train Your Employees

The Case for Lesser-Known Colleges

Internal Polls Flopped in Michigan and Hawaii. How Will They Do in Minnesota and Wisconsin?

Burning the Past to Build the Future

Never miss an article!