L. Todd Wood
Articles by L. Todd Wood
CROSSTALK: Why the G-7 is irrelevant
The world has changed since the establishment of the G-7. No longer are these economies the most important in the world. Italy, Canada, even Germany and France, have drifted into socialist zombie land, unable to grow or realize their potential. Published September 17, 2019
Trump to Israel: We gave you the F-35, now use it
The development of this network of terror armies from Tehran to Damascus has endangered the national security of the United States, along with its allies in the region, including the Jewish state of Israel. Published September 11, 2019
Nukes the latest distraction as Erdogan clings to power
Dictators throughout history have played the same games in order to stay in power. One stratagem is as old as Rome itself, after the republic became corrupt and gave way to an empire run by one man, rather than the Senate. Published September 5, 2019
An eye-opening, first-hand view of Chechnya today
I have to admit I was hesitant when asked to participate in a 10-day "cultural tour" of Chechnya in the northern Caucasus. Published August 30, 2019
Service academies put our security at risk
One couldn't help but be shocked by the lack of discipline, the lowering of standards, and the destruction of traditions that had held officer trainees in good standing for decades, if not centuries. The situation has not gotten any better, and, in many ways, it is getting worse. Published August 22, 2019
Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar have no right to visit Israel as BDS supporters
History offers perspective on Thursday's dust-up over the Israeli government's refusal to allow two Democratic congresswomen, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, prominent BDS supporters both, to enter the country. Published August 15, 2019
CROSSTALK: Sam Nunn and nuclear war
I had some dealings with Sam Nunn several decades ago, when he was Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia. Growing up in Savannah, I applied to be a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981. Consequently, I had to drive multiple times by myself to be interviewed by Mr. Nunn's staff in Atlanta for consideration for a USAFA appointment, which in the end was a successful quest. Published August 14, 2019
Kazakhstan working hard for foreign direct investment
The lifeblood of any developing economy is foreign direct investment (FDI). Nations need to attract outside capital to develop infrastructure and human resources, to spur economic growth in order to create better living conditions for their people. The process can be tricky, as governments grapple with legacy issues, like heavy state asset ownership, poor rule of law, corruption and misallocation of capital. Published August 13, 2019
Socialist seduction poses dangers at home
This column is supposed to be about national security and geopolitics. But recent conversations reinforced the feeling I have had for some time regarding our security: The greatest threat the United States faces is from inside -- the scourge of socialism. Published August 8, 2019
Trump’s realism opens up new possibilities with Russia
President Trump confirmed Thursday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone about the raging fires and about possible technical help the U.S. could offer. Moscow no doubt sees the Trump offer as the start of a pathway for better U.S.-Russia relations. Published August 1, 2019
Saudi think tank closes D.C. offices
The Arabia Foundation was a pro-Saudi think tank in Washington, known for communicating on issues important to the Kingdom to the American audience and their representatives. It abruptly closed this week, leading to speculation as to why. Published July 31, 2019
Questions abound over Ukraine’s seizure of Russian tanker
It was a move both obvious and ominous. Published July 25, 2019
CROSSTALK: Military and fiscal geopolitics of ‘promoting democracy’
Things happen in cycles. Society shifts from conservative to socialist, from freedom to totalitarianism, from faithful to secular. We are experiencing a similar shift now -- from attempting to impose democracy in the world where we had no business doing so, to rationalizing our ability to impact events globally, and applying our limited resources as effectively as we can. Published July 24, 2019
The Chinese economy suffocates under Trump tariffs
You wouldn't know it if you read the mainstream business news, but the Chinese economy is in real trouble. Published July 18, 2019
Something changed this week in Albania
The People's Mujahadeen of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has been demonized for decades, due to an organized, effective disinformation campaign by Iranian intelligence, and the appeasement of the mullahs by American presidents since the Islamic Revolution during Jimmy Carter's tour at the White House. Published July 16, 2019
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil allegedly receiving Iranian support
The nation of Lebanon in the Levant, directly north of Israel, has long been an economic basket case, since its fall from grace as a tourist jewel on the Mediterranean several decades ago. Published July 15, 2019
Tell me again — why are we defending Germany?
The Trump administration has been pushing our European allies to take a bigger role in Syria in the final campaign to mop up the last vestiges of the once-vaunted Islamic State caliphate. France and the United Kingdom have agreed to step up (modestly) their military presence in Syria to replace the departing Americans, reportedly down to around 400 troops. Published July 11, 2019
Russia may soon control Ukraine’s gas fields
Much changed in Ukraine after the election of Vladimir Zelenskiy to the presidency. More change is to come; some not good for Ukrainian sovereignty. Published July 8, 2019
Putin’s pitch to Italy is attracting an audience
President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Rome, not to take in the sights but in an attempt to burnish the special relationship between the two countries. The clear subtext of Mr. Putin's trip was an attempt to widen the splits in the European Union over sanctions against the Kremlin for its aggressive behavior in Crimea, eastern Ukraine and elsewhere. Published July 4, 2019
Albania case raises questions of who runs U.S. foreign policy
We have written often about Never Trumpers at the State Department working against the president's agenda in the Balkans, and specifically in Albania. Published June 27, 2019
