An illustration shows the U.S. Capitol on a blue field casting a long shadow.

Shadow Government

The view from the Democratic opposition.

This is Foreign Policy’s forum for Democratic policymakers and experts to analyze U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration—and to incubate ideas for a future Democratic White House. FP’s Shadow Government channel dates back to 2008, switching between Democratic and Republican critiques of the sitting U.S. administration. Today, with a Republican administration in the White House, Shadow Government is an insider’s guide to the debate among Democrats over the future of their party’s national security policies.

Three members of the National Guard are seen from behind as they stand in front of Washington's Reflecting Pool at dusk, the sky and the water lit up orange with the sunset. The Lincoln Memorial stands at the shore across the water. All three guard members wear green camouflage uniforms, matching hats, and bulletproof vests that say "National Guard" on their backs.

Trump’s War on Crime Is a War on Democracy

Democrats should fight back against the president’s militarization of law enforcement before it’s too late.

Argument

Matthew Duss, Harrison Mann

Sharaa sits in an ornately decorated armchair with his hands folded in his lap. He is in his young 40s, wearing a suit and a beard. Barrack, an older bald man who also wears a suit, sits in another armchair at a diagonal. They face small low tables with water glasses on them; a Syrian flag hangs in the corner.

Qué Sharaa, Sharaa

With concrete steps, Washington can keep Syria’s future on track.

Argument

Eitan Danon, Daniel Schneiderman

Donald Trump faces away from the camera as he looks at Vladimir Putin.

How Putin Tricked Trump

The Alaska summit has been designed to play to the U.S. president’s pro-Russian impulses.

Shadow Government

Ned Price

Crowds watch outside of Stonewall National Monument as people take part in the 2025 NYC Pride March in New York City.

The U.S. Is Abandoning the Global Fight for Equality

Washington is increasingly playing a central role in the backlash against LGBTQ people.

Shadow Government

Jessica Stern, Suzanne B. Goldberg

Biden walks between massive white columns outside of the White House. He wears a dark suit and a blue tie, and his head is tilted down toward the ground.

Biden’s Team Lied About Gaza. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.

Impunity for abetting war crimes weakens U.S. democracy.

Shadow Government

Matthew Duss

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding the Marine One presidential helicopter and departing the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 25.

The Perils of Denigrating U.S. Intelligence

By doing so, Trump inhibits honest analysis.

Shadow Government

Brett M. Holmgren

Iranian missiles aimed at targets in Israel passing over the West Bank on June 18.

Don’t Let a Fake Victory Forestall Real Peace

Trump’s misplaced faith in the efficacy of the Iran attacks will bring more war.

Shadow Government

Matthew Duss

President Donald Trump watches the 250th birthday parade of the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C.

Democrats Should Reclaim the Anti-War Mantle From Trump

By backing Israel’s attack on Iran, Trump violated his anti-war pledge. Will his opponents take advantage of it?

Shadow Government

Matthew Duss

Emergency workers stand near a heavily damaged building.

Israel Should Have Let Diplomacy Run Its Course

We’ll never know if more negotiations and sanctions could have prevented war with Iran.

Shadow Government

Ned Price

An Iranian woman wearing a black dress and black headscarf is seen in profile as she walks on a sidewalk in front of a brightly colored wall mural. The red-white-and-blue mural depicts two men seated at a table, identified with placards as representing the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. official wears military fatigues from the waist down, but a suit on his top half.