Fred Kaplan is the author of The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War and 1959: The Year Everything Changed.
War Stories
Oct. 16 2014 4:52 PMSins of OmissionCitizenfour is a fine documentary. Too bad the director glossed over some important details—and Edward Snowden didn’t gloss over more.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Sept. 23 2014 4:04 PMThe Right TargetWhy Obama’s airstrikes against ISIS may be more effective than people expect.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Sept. 11 2014 12:29 AMObama at WarThe president outlined a reasonable strategy for attacking ISIS. What could go wrong?Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Aug. 27 2014 5:49 PMObama Shouldn’t Bomb ISIS in SyriaWe have no strategy for intervening there, and no reason to think it will work.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Aug. 12 2014 6:56 PMThe Case for Helping the KurdsA thriving Kurdistan is necessary for a democratic Iraq.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
July 21 2014 5:39 PMPutin’s FingerprintsVladimir Putin is responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. His next move will matter most of all.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
July 1 2014 8:48 AMISIS’ Leader Just Declared Himself CaliphWhy that might actually mean that the militia is sputtering.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
June 16 2014 6:16 PMWhy Iran Is America’s Best New Partner in the Middle EastSometimes we must form alliances with unpleasant nations to prevent something worse.Fred Kaplan
Politics
June 2 2014 5:47 PMWhat People Don’t Understand About the Bergdahl DealAmerica negotiates with terrorists. These were not terrorists. And this could be the start of something big. Fred Kaplan
War Stories
May 26 2014 9:28 PMDid Peace Just Break Out in Ukraine?Why the standoff with Vladimir Putin may have ended.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
May 14 2014 1:54 PMThe Right Goal in UkraineDon’t be distracted by Putin and his antics. The real test is stabilizing Ukraine.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
April 23 2014 5:04 PMObama’s Trip to Asia Has Been Hijacked by the Crisis in UkraineFred Kaplan
War Stories
Oct. 8 2014 6:18 PMA Creeping SensationIf he’s not careful, President Obama is about to be sucked into a wider war in the Middle East.Fred Kaplan
Politics
Sept. 17 2014 5:21 PMDon’t Worry, Obama Isn’t Sending U.S. Troops to Fight ISISBut the next president might. Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Sept. 4 2014 12:06 PMEastern Contradictions There is an enormous gulf between what President Obama is saying about Ukraine and what he appears willing to do.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
Aug. 20 2014 7:01 PMObama’s Next MoveThe president just described ISIS as a threat to civilization. Now he must back up those words with action.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
July 23 2014 5:17 PMAmerica’s Flight 17The time the United States blew up a passenger plane—and tried to cover it up.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
July 17 2014 5:12 PMIsrael’s Deadly Gambits The Israeli government has lost the ability to think strategically.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
July 11 2014 4:25 PMAngela Merkel Is Very AngryIn expelling the CIA station chief in Berlin, she’s sending a serious message to Obama.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
June 25 2014 6:04 PMIt’s Not Our WarThe United States should help others crush ISIS, and not much else.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
June 11 2014 5:18 PMAfter MosulIf jihadists control Iraq, blame Nouri al-Maliki, not the United States.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
May 28 2014 4:29 PMObama Lays Siege to His CriticsAt West Point, President Obama defends a foreign policy vision based on more than U.S. military might.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
May 21 2014 2:33 PMWhy Did the Justice Department Indict Five Chinese Military Officers?Obama wants Beijing to know how much we know.Fred Kaplan
War Stories
April 28 2014 6:21 PMThe Sanctions IllusionObama has chosen to go after Putin’s cronies. But do sanctions ever really work?Fred Kaplan
War Stories
April 14 2014 6:21 PMWhy Putin May Stand DownKiev is offering the Russian strongman what he wants, without his having to send in the tanks.Fred Kaplan
TODAY IN SLATE
How Canada’s Shooting Tragedies Have Shaped Its Gun Control Politics
Where Ebola Lives Between Outbreaks
By Matt McCarthy
Science
Oct. 22 2014 11:30 AM
Where Ebola Lives Between Outbreaks
My nerve-wracking research with shrieking bats.
Matt McCarthy
Gunman Killed Inside Canadian Parliament; Soldier Shot at National Monument Dies
Sleater-Kinney Was Once America’s Best Rock Band
Can it be again?
By Jack Hamilton
Culturebox
Oct. 20 2014 3:22 PM
Sleater-Kinney Was Once America’s Best Rock Band
Can it be again?
Jack Hamilton
Paul Farmer: Up to 90 Percent of Ebola Patients Should Survive
Is he right?
By Joshua Keating
The World
Oct. 22 2014 2:05 PM
Paul Farmer: Up to 90 Percent of Ebola Patients Should Survive
Is he right?
Joshua Keating
“I’m Not a Scientist” Is No Excuse
Politicians brag about their ignorance while making ignorant decisions.
By David Shiffman
Brow Beat
Oct. 22 2014 10:39 PM
Avengers: Age of Ultron Looks Like a Fun, Sprawling, and Extremely Satisfying Sequel
Sharan Shetty
Politics
Oct. 22 2014 9:42 PM
Landslide Landrieu
Can the Louisiana Democrat use the powers of incumbency to save herself one more time?
John Dickerson
Brow Beat
Oct. 22 2014 9:19 PM
The Phone Call Is Twenty Minutes of Pitch-Perfect, Wrenching Cinema
Sharan Shetty
The Slatest
Oct. 22 2014 8:20 PM
Man Jumps White House Fence, Is Attacked By Secret Service Dogs and Arrested
Elliot Hannon
The Slatest
Oct. 22 2014 7:46 PM
Family of Dallas Nurse With Ebola Says She’s Now Virus-Free
Elliot Hannon
The Gist
Oct. 22 2014 6:41 PM
We Work Hard for Less Money
In terms of “real wages,” we make less than our grandparents did. At least we have air conditioning.
Mike Pesca
The Slatest
Oct. 22 2014 6:36 PM
Reaganomics Tax Experiment Still Going Poorly in Kansas
Ben Mathis-Lilley
The Slatest
Oct. 22 2014 6:10 PM
Gunman Killed Inside Canadian Parliament; Soldier Shot at National Monument Dies
Ben Mathis-Lilley and Elliot Hannon
Gentleman Scholar
Oct. 22 2014 5:54 PM
May I Offer to Sharpen My Friends’ Knives?
Or would that be rude?
Troy Patterson
Future Tense
Oct. 22 2014 5:33 PM
One More Reason Not to Use PowerPoint: It’s The Gateway for a Serious Windows Vulnerability
Lily Hay Newman
The Slatest
Oct. 22 2014 4:54 PM
CDC Announces Monitoring of All Travelers to U.S. From Ebola-Stricken Countries
Laura Bradley
Education
Oct. 22 2014 4:45 PM
Welcome to 13th Grade!
Several Oregon high schools are offering a fifth year of high school. Every district should consider it.
Rebecca Schuman
Outward
Oct. 22 2014 4:43 PM
Anthony Culler Warns: Beware the Gay Gremlins!
J. Bryan Lowder and Chris Wade
The XX Factor
Oct. 22 2014 4:27 PM
Three Ways Your Text Messages Change After You Get Married
Melissa Dahl
Politics
Oct. 22 2014 9:42 PM
Landslide Landrieu
Can the Louisiana Democrat use the powers of incumbency to save herself one more time?
John Dickerson
Continuously Operating
Oct. 22 2014 2:38 PM
Crack Open an Old One
A highly unscientific evaluation of Germany’s oldest breweries.
L.V. Anderson
Gentleman Scholar
Oct. 22 2014 5:54 PM
May I Offer to Sharpen My Friends’ Knives?
Or would that be rude?
Troy Patterson
The XX Factor
Oct. 22 2014 4:27 PM
Three Ways Your Text Messages Change After You Get Married
Melissa Dahl
Tv Club
Oct. 22 2014 5:27 PM
The Slate Walking Dead Podcast
A spoiler-filled discussion of Episodes 1 and 2.
Mike Vuolo and Chris Wade
Brow Beat
Oct. 22 2014 10:39 PM
Avengers: Age of Ultron Looks Like a Fun, Sprawling, and Extremely Satisfying Sequel
Sharan Shetty
Future Tense
Oct. 22 2014 5:33 PM
One More Reason Not to Use PowerPoint: It’s The Gateway for a Serious Windows Vulnerability
Lily Hay Newman
Sports Nut
Oct. 20 2014 5:09 PM
Keepaway, on Three. Ready—Break!
On his record-breaking touchdown pass, Peyton Manning couldn’t even leave the celebration to chance.
Chris Wade and A.J. McCarthy