Daniel N. Hoffman
Columns by Daniel N. Hoffman
A primer on China’s spy war targeting the U.S. and the West
Rather than becoming the "responsible stakeholder" that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick forecast in 2005, President Xi Jinping has chosen instead to unsheathe China's aggressive military, economic and political policies to confront the United States and its allies. Published December 12, 2019
Private sector has a big role in the cybersecurity wars
Cyberspace, the human-made fifth domain, has proven to be a great force multiplier for free expression and commerce. Published November 28, 2019
Russia’s baleful influence being felt far and near
There is hardly a U.S. news story which does not touch on Russia. Russia is everywhere, from the impeachment inquiry and election interference to the conflict in Syria. Published November 14, 2019
Getting al-Baghdadi was big, but the fight’s not over
On Oct. 27, U.S. Special Forces conducted a dangerous but extraordinarily effective raid resulting in the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, without suffering a single casualty. Hours later, Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, spokesman for the terror group, was killed in a precision U.S. airstrike. Published November 7, 2019
Plenty of work to do for Donald Trump’s new man in Moscow
This month President Trump nominated Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan to be the next ambassador to Russia. With a long and distinguished career in public service, including serving as acting secretary of state, Mr. Sullivan is an outstanding choice for one of the most complex and challenging of our senior diplomatic assignments. Published October 31, 2019
Ukraine’s biggest story involves no Bidens or Trumps
The biggest scandal inside Ukraine -- perhaps one of the most consequential in all of Eastern Europe -- is a row between a courageous former central banker and a notorious oligarch. It is a high-stakes battle, with a clear cast of good and bad guys. Published October 24, 2019
The lessons of Berlin must be learned again in Hong Kong
Early into what would become a three-decade career in government service, I was completing an escape-and-evasion training exercise in the woods on Nov. 9, 1989, when, after weeks of unrest, the East German government announced that its citizens could visit West Berlin. Published October 17, 2019
Fake news in Europe threatens U.S. media integrity
"Fake news" is a term that has become all too commonplace. Sometimes we're talking about a genuine piece of disinformation. Other times, fake news means simply a news report with which a politician does not agree. Published October 10, 2019
Why leakers pose such a danger to national security
A number of news networks faced criticism last month for running with a disputed story that the CIA had to exfiltrate a spy from Russia in part due to concerns about President Trump's mishandling of classified information. Published October 3, 2019
Paul Whelan a Vladimir Putin pawn in Russia prison
Russian President Vladimir Putin, the onetime KGB operative who also served for a time as director of the FSB security police, is probably enjoying the sweet irony of being on the receiving end of rare harmony between Democrats and Republicans. Published September 26, 2019
U.S. must mistrust but verify to nail down Afghan deal
Earlier this month, President Trump stunningly revealed that he had canceled peace talks with Taliban leadership at Camp David after the Afghan militant group claimed responsibility for an attack in Kabul that killed 12 people, including a U.S. soldier. Published September 19, 2019
U.S. should worry as Russia-China ties heat up
Russia's Defense Ministry has announced the Chinese People's Liberation Army will join Russia and six other nations for Tsentr 2019, a massive, five-day military exercise involving over 100,000 troops that starts Monday. Published September 12, 2019
