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The Water's Edge

James M. Lindsay analyzes the politics shaping U.S. foreign policy and the sustainability of American power.

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The White House on January 20, 2021. Andrew Kelly/Reuters
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TWE Celebrates Presidents’ Day

by James M. Lindsay February 10, 2021

Today is Presidents’ Day. It is a TWE tradition to recognize the forty-five men—and they have all been men—who have been president on Presidents’ Day with the following essay. If you are lucky enough to have today off, enjoy it. Read More

Featured

U.S. Foreign Policy

TWE Book and Film Recommendations

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay November 10, 2020 The Water's Edge

Elections and Voting

The 2020 Election by the Numbers

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 15, 2020 The Water's Edge

2020 in Review

Ten Good Foreign Policy News Stories in 2020

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 30, 2020 The Water's Edge

2020 in Review

Ten World Figures Who Died in 2020

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 29, 2020 The Water's Edge

2020 in Review

Ten Foreign Policy Notables Who Died in 2020

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 28, 2020 The Water's Edge

2020 in Review

Ten Most Significant World Events in 2020

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 17, 2020 The Water's Edge

Elections and Voting

Ten Elections to Watch in 2021

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 23, 2020 The Water's Edge

Global

Five Foreign Policy Stories to Watch in 2021
   

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 21, 2020 The Water's Edge

United States

Ten Anniversaries to Note in 2021

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 2, 2020 The Water's Edge

United States

TWE Remembers: Learning More About the Cuban Missile Crisis

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay October 16, 2012 The Water's Edge

United States

The History of the Cold War in 40 Quotes

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay November 7, 2014 The Water's Edge

Vietnam

The Vietnam War in Forty Quotes

Blog Post by James M. Lindsay April 30, 2015 The Water's Edge

United States
A Presidents' Day Quiz
Monday is Presidents’ Day. To get you in the proper celebratory mood, TWE presents its tenth annual Presidents’ Day quiz. If you are feeling up to it, you can try the quizzes from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2…
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay February 9, 2021 The Water's Edge
Transition 2021
Biden’s Inaugural Address to a Divided America
Joe Biden gave the nation a much-needed civics lesson today in the guise of an inaugural address. His message was impossible to miss—America’s strength lies in American unity. It is a simple, almost …
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay January 20, 2021 The Water's Edge
Transition 2021
Remembering the Best (and Worst) Presidential Inaugural Addresses
In two days, Joe Biden gets to do what only thirty-nine other Americans have ever done: deliver a presidential inaugural address. It is a tough task to do well under any circumstance. It’s even tough…
Blog Post by James M. Lindsay January 15, 2021 The Water's Edge
  • Transition 2021
    Transition 2021: What Can Biden Get Done?
    Each Friday, I look at what is happening in President-Elect Joe Biden’s transition to the White House. This week: Biden faces substantial obstacles in his bid to remake U.S. foreign policy after four years of America First.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay January 15, 2021 The Water's Edge
  • Transition 2021
    Ten Things You Probably Don’t Know About Presidential Inaugurations
    By now you no doubt have heard that President Donald Trump will skip President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next Wednesday. Given Trump’s role in inciting last week’s mob attack on the Capitol Buil…
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay January 12, 2021 The Water's Edge
  • Transition 2021
    Transition 2021: A Divisive and Damaging Presidency Nears Its End
    Each Friday, I look at what is happening in President-Elect Joe Biden’s transition to the White House. This week: The mob that stormed the Capitol Building this week highlighted how Donald Trump’s presidency has left the United States worse off than when he started.
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay January 8, 2021 The Water's Edge
  • 2020 in Review
    Ten Good Foreign Policy News Stories in 2020
    Two thousand twenty will go down in the books as a very tough year. It’s of no comfort that historians say it ranks just eighth in terms of the most stressful years in U.S. history. Our lives were di…
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 30, 2020 The Water's Edge
  • 2020 in Review
    Ten World Figures Who Died in 2020
    I wrote yesterday about ten Americans who died in 2020 who shaped U.S. foreign policy during their lifetimes. But Americans are not the only ones who influence world affairs. Below are ten world figu…
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 29, 2020 The Water's Edge
  • 2020 in Review
    Ten Foreign Policy Notables Who Died in 2020
    Year’s end is a time for taking stock, counting successes, and assessing failures. It is also time for remembering those who are no longer with us. Here are ten Americans who died in 2020 who through…
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 28, 2020 The Water's Edge
  • Elections and Voting
    Ten Elections to Watch in 2021
    Millions of people around the world voted in 2020. Taiwanese voters reelected Tsai Ing-wen as president. Burmese voters returned Aung San Suu Kyi’s party to power. Guineans protested before and after…
    Blog Post by James M. Lindsay December 23, 2020 The Water's Edge