Clifford D. May
Columns by Clifford D. May
CLIFFORD MAY: Dying Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ponders holy mission
The Lord works in mysterious ways. That sentence does not appear in the Koran. Nor, actually, is it found in the Bible. But in recent days it has probably occurred to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader. Published March 10, 2015
CIFFORD MAY: Obama thinks bad Iran deal better than no deal
Remember when President Obama said that to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability, he would keep all options "on the table"? How long has it been since anyone took that warning seriously? Published March 3, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Vladimir Putin’s revisionist government
Last week, two Russian long-range bombers skirted the southwest coast of England. British Typhoon warplanes scrambled from their base to "escort" the bombers away. Prime Minister David Cameron accused Moscow of "trying to make some sort a point." Published February 24, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Telling the truth about radical Islam won’t offend peaceful Muslims
Is there a "Bush-Obama approach" to talking about what drives and justifies terrorism? Michael Gerson says there is. I think he's right. He argues that this approach is preferable to other options. I think he's wrong. Published February 17, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Obama’s secret terrorism strategy accommodates Iran
It seems like only yesterday that President Obama was being criticized for having no strategy to counter the jihadi threat. In fact, it was about 10 days ago. Peggy Noonan's Feb. 1 Wall Street Journal column was headlined: "America's Strategy Deficit." Published February 10, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Islamic aggressors posing as victims
There are victims and then there are victims. Too often, I think, we worry about the wrong ones. Published February 3, 2015
CLIFFORD D. MAY: In Argentina, terrorists and gangsters get away with murder
"When heads of state become gangsters, something has to be done." Winston Churchill said that. It's a proposition not many people nowadays endorse. Fewer still take it upon themselves to stand up to the thugs-come-statesmen. Published January 27, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Iran and the case for deadline-triggered sanctions
Experienced negotiators know this: The side most willing to walk away from the table generally wins. The side that seems desperate for a deal loses. Yet President Obama is telling the entire world that he needs an agreement with Iran's rulers more than they need an agreement with him. Published January 20, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: West’s irresponsible attitude toward Iran is dangerous
Let's get a few things straight: The slaughter of eight satirical journalists in Paris last week was not a tragedy. It was an atrocity. While you may have been shocked by the attack on Charlie Hebdo, anyone who was surprised has not been paying close attention to the events unfolding over recent decades. Published January 13, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Lessons from Napoleon’s war against an Islamic empire
A few pages into "Napoleon: A Life," historian Andrew Roberts notes that the great general regarded himself as "of the race that founds empires." Published January 6, 2015
CLIFFORD MAY: Korea cyberattack follows Islam wars on U.S. free speech rights
Last Friday, in his end-of-the-year press conference, President Obama scolded Sony Pictures. Canceling the theatrical release of "The Interview" following cyberattacks from North Korea, he said, was "a mistake." Two days later, on CNN, he added that North Korea had committed an act of "cybervandalism." Published December 23, 2014
CLIFFORD MAY: Jon Stewart torture doctrine lacks logic of war
In spring 2009, I was invited to debate "torture" with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show." He gave me an opportunity to make a case with which he vehemently disagreed. He didn't spout prepackaged sound bites — he presented thoughtful counterarguments. Not many television talk show hosts are willing — or able — to do that. Published December 16, 2014
CLIFFORD D. MAY: Why fighting extremists can’t be politically correct
Rarely do so many distinguished members of the foreign policy community gather in a single room. But this was the Great Hall of the United States Institute of Peace: a Washington "institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence." Published December 9, 2014
CLIFFORD D. MAY: Recep Tayyip Erdogan divides Turkey from the West
Turkey should have been part of the solution. Instead, it's become part of the problem. The problem, of course, is the spread of jihadism throughout the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. Published December 2, 2014
CLIFFORD MAY: Israel’s Palestinian enemies are as barbaric as the Islamic State
Executioners for the Islamic State use knives to cut the throats of Christians, Yazidis and "apostate" Muslims. Palestinian executioners last week used knives and a meat cleaver to slaughter Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in West Jerusalem. Published November 25, 2014
CLIFFORD MAY: Betting on Iran: Odds are the Islamic republic won’t dismantle nuclear weapons program
Negotiations with Iran are set to conclude on Monday. What are the odds they will end with Iran's rulers agreeing to verifiably dismantle their illicit nuclear weapons program? I'd wager 100 to one against that outcome — but I doubt I'd find a bookie willing to take my bet. Published November 18, 2014
CLIFFORD MAY: The Economist misjudges Iran
"The revolution is over." When journalists at The Economist, one of the world's most influential publications, run that headline on a cover story, "a special report" on the "new Iran," you assume they have solid evidence to support their thesis. Published November 11, 2014
CLIFFORD D. MAY: Building a shining Palestinian city on a hill
Trust me on this: Reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis will not be achieved anytime soon, no matter what the professional peace processors say or do. Here in Rawabi, though, modest progress toward that goal is at least possible to imagine. Published November 4, 2014
CLIFFORD D. MAY: Israel and the war of words
Last week, a terrorist drove his car into a crowd at a light-rail station, killing a three-month-old baby. Eight others were injured, including a 22-year-old woman who died a few days later. Published October 28, 2014
CLIFFORD D. MAY: ‘Homeland’ under attack
Are the cast, crew and fans of "Homeland" — Showtime's television series about a brilliant but neurotic CIA agent — Islamophobes? Published October 21, 2014
