About Shadow Government
Shadow Government is a blog about U.S. foreign policy in the age of Trump, written by experienced policymakers, scholars, and practitioners from the loyal Democrat opposition. It is co-edited by Derek Chollet, Colin Kahl, and Julie Smith.
NATO Is Struggling Under Trans-Atlantic Tensions
After this week’s summit, members must keep turmoil in the political side of the alliance from undermining its military purpose.
Praising U.S. Diplomats for Their Testimony Is Not Enough
State Department officials who find themselves wrapped up in the Trump impeachment inquiry will need public support for years to come.
Don’t Let Venezuela’s Crisis Take Down Colombia Too
Washington should do more to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the region.
Trump Finally Found a Chinese Import He Likes: Corruption
Enlisting Beijing to interfere in the U.S. election is no joke.
Americans and Russians Should Be Friends—Even if Their Countries Aren’t
Under Trump, the relationship between the two populations has suffered. The next president should change that.
Trump’s Use of Sanctions Is Nothing Like Obama’s
The White House’s aggressive deployment of coercive economic tools has given rise to a growing geopolitical backlash.
In Europe, Nativism and Nationalism May Be Reaching Their Limits
But in the United States, they show no signs of abatement.
Trump’s Defense Cuts in Europe Will Backfire
Rather than distributing military burdens equitably, Washington’s rollbacks weaken both the United States and its allies.
After Trump, the United States Should Return to Obama’s Iran Deal
A new administration could re-enter the accord within 60 days.
Galleries
A Week in World Photos
Migrants in Bosnia, a swan roundup in Germany, and protests in Bolivia, Zimbabwe, and Hong Kong.
30 Years Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Celebration and uncertainty in Germany as communism crumbled on Nov. 9, 1989.
Why Trade Wars Are Inevitable
Trump’s trade wars aren’t just about him or China—but global economic imbalances that the next U.S. administration will still have to address.
The Internet Broke the News Industry—and Can Fix It, Too
The only way to save journalism is to make readers direct participants in making, and paying for, the media.
Repent for Your Frequent Flyer Miles!
Feeling guilty for the carbon burned on your last flight? The Germans have a word for that.
The Women Who Shaped Obama’s Foreign Policy
Two new memoirs by Samantha Power and Susan Rice show how idealists became insiders—and what was lost along the way.