Elephants in the Room was a blog about U.S. foreign policy during the presidency of Donald Trump, written by Republican policymakers and experts outside the administration. It was curated by Peter D. Feaver and William Inboden. The blog was discontinued at the end of Trump’s presidency on Jan. 20, 2021. For new articles with a conservative perspective on U.S. foreign policy, read FP’s Shadow Government channel.
The appointment of Kurt Campbell as Biden’s right hand on Asia will supercharge the incoming administration’s policy to counter China.
This week’s escalation of tensions by Tehran looks like blackmail to force Biden to abandon sanctions—and give up leverage over the regime.
Trump failed because key Republicans backed down and the military stayed out—yet critical questions remain.
Trump failed because key Republicans backed down and the military stayed out—yet critical questions remain.
The incoming U.S. president must hold China and other countries accountable for religious persecution—and counter Beijing’s global campaign to destroy human rights.
Moving quickly to resurrect the JCPOA, as Biden seems set to do, would start his presidency with a hugely divisive controversy.
Trump’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty dangerously undermines decades of carefully crafted U.S. policy.
The Saudis need to get on Biden’s good side. Obvious places to start include releasing women’s rights activists.
Refusing to concede and start the transition creates mostly hindrances, not disasters. But on key issues, obstructing Biden puts America in danger.
He was successful because only an iconoclastic president could have rejected false assumptions and failed strategies.
Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.
A prayerful start to Ramadan, medical workers on the front lines of a pandemic, and the annual Lyrids meteor shower.
Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track.
Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.
The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.
“Jai Shri Ram” was meant to be a celebration of a Hindu deity. But the phrase is turning into hate speech—and a dog whistle for attacks on Muslims.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues into 2023, the weather will have an important impact. Ukrainians, of course, are more vulnerable than usual to power outages and energy shocks. But Rus...Show more
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely the most popular elected leader in the world. No other politician has won so many votes in history. Few other incumbent leaders around the world...Show more
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From the Baltic Republics to Crimea, Washington has opposed forcible annexation—and the Golan Heights should be no exception.
Middle-class people, it turns out, have limited patience for things like intrusive social monitoring and censorship of personal expression.
Those who return home find shattered houses, no heat, and the worst yet to come.
Chad’s transitional government asserts its power with violent repression.
