Politics

The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s Nuclear Weapon

by Jonathan Alter June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

Two Iran experts on how the U.S. plays checkers and Iran plays chess.

Former Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA Leon Panetta.

Foreign Policy

Panetta: Iran War a ‘Terrible Mistake’ and Hegseth Is a ‘Disaster’

by Jonathan Alter May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

The Middle East comes to the Midwest: the Michigan Senate primary has become a fight over Israel and Hamas.

Politics

So What If the Democrats Are Divided on the Middle East? Embrace It

by Bill Scher May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Iran War: A US Air Force transport plane takes off from the US airbase in Ramstein. Numerous defense ministers and high-ranking military officers are once again discussing further support for Ukraine in the war against Russia on Tuesday at the US airbase in Ramstein.

Foreign Policy

The U.S.-Europe Rift: How Trump’s Iran War is Making it Worse

by Tamar Jacoby April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

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

Trump's War: The decision to go to war with Iran was President Donald Trump’s, not Israel’s. Here, Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in December 2025.

Politics

Don’t Pin Trump’s Iran War on Netanyahu (Or Israel. Or the Jews.)

by Bill Scher March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

David Frum’s call for Democrats to fund Trump’s Iran war echoes a familiar mistake: backing a president’s war in hopes of containing it. Here, Frum, left, speaks during a panel on impeachment in 2019.

Foreign Policy

David Frum Is Wrong About the Democrats and Iran

by Nate Weisberg March 24, 2026March 27, 2026

Iran Hawks: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks with reporters after a briefing from Trump administration officials on the U.S. strikes on Iran at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026.

Politics

Cocky Iran Hawks Forget the History of Blowback

by Bill Scher March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Attention Abroad: U.S. President Donald Trump provides an update on the Attack on Iran at a Medal of Honor Ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 2026.

Health Care

Reform on Ice

by Merrill Goozner March 5, 2026March 5, 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

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

Middle East

The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s Nuclear Weapon

Panetta: Iran War a ‘Terrible Mistake’ and Hegseth Is a ‘Disaster’

So What If the Democrats Are Divided on the Middle East? Embrace It

The U.S.-Europe Rift: How Trump’s Iran War is Making it Worse

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

Don’t Pin Trump’s Iran War on Netanyahu (Or Israel. Or the Jews.)

David Frum Is Wrong About the Democrats and Iran

Cocky Iran Hawks Forget the History of Blowback

Reform on Ice

All the Ways Trump’s War on Iran Is Disastrous

“Deceive, Disrupt, Deny.” The Looming Threat to This Fall’s Elections

Are Men Okay?

Mental Health, Police, and The Death of Charles Adair

Media’s Misleading Voting Coverage Poses Dangers

Amy Acton Won’t Debate. It’s Worked Before

Never miss an article!