Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Quote of the day: Trump on WikiLeaks

“TRUMP: When WikiLeaks came out … never heard of WikiLeaks, never heard of it.”

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30:  (AFP OUT) U.S. President Donald Trump (R) answers reporters' questions during a photo opportunity with Prime Minister Of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen in the Oval Office at the White House March 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The White House said Trump looks forward to talking with Rasmussen about 'deepening already robust economic ties, defeating ISIS, and strengthening our defense and security relationship, both bilaterally and through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.'  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Donald Trump (R) answers reporters' questions during a photo opportunity with Prime Minister Of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen in the Oval Office at the White House March 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The White House said Trump looks forward to talking with Rasmussen about 'deepening already robust economic ties, defeating ISIS, and strengthening our defense and security relationship, both bilaterally and through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.' (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Donald Trump (R) answers reporters' questions during a photo opportunity with Prime Minister Of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen in the Oval Office at the White House March 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The White House said Trump looks forward to talking with Rasmussen about 'deepening already robust economic ties, defeating ISIS, and strengthening our defense and security relationship, both bilaterally and through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.' (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“TRUMP: When WikiLeaks came out … never heard of WikiLeaks, never heard of it.” From his latest interview with the Associated Press.

“TRUMP: When WikiLeaks came out … never heard of WikiLeaks, never heard of it.” From his latest interview with the Associated Press.

Photo credit: CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

Read More On Donald Trump

More from Foreign Policy

The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.
The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.

America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose

Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.

A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.

The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy

The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.

Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.
Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.

Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now

In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.
U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.

Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet

As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.