Author Archive
Russell Berman
senior associate editor, The Atlantic
Ideas
2020 Could Be 'Darkest Winter in Modern History,' COVID Whistleblower Says
The United States dropped the ball early in the pandemic, and remains unready for painful months to come, Rick Bright tells Congress.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Will the Government Ever Reopen?
After a contentious meeting with lawmakers, President Trump said the government could stay closed “for a very long period of time,” and mused about declaring a state of emergency.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Trump’s Untested Authority to Revoke Security Clearances
Can the president restrict a person’s access to classified material for any reason he wants? It may take a lawsuit from former CIA Director John Brennan to find out.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Does the US Military Need a Space Corps?
A proposal in Congress would create the first new uniformed service in 70 years, but it faces opposition from the Pentagon.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Devin Nunes Dives Back into the Russia Investigation
The California Republican supposedly stepped aside from the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation. But on Wednesday, he used his power as chairman to issue subpoenas related to the inquiry.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
White House Vows to Audit the Pentagon, Which Would Be a First
The goal is audacious enough, but promises of a record spending increase makes it even more complicated.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
President Trump's First 100 Days Could End in a Government Shutdown
The historical marker on April 29 will coincide with the expiration of federal funding—unless Congress can strike a bipartisan deal in time.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
The Senate Will Investigate Russian Interference in the US Election
With Mitch McConnell’s backing, a bipartisan inquiry could bring the first confrontation between Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Trump Makes His Own Head Spin Talking Foreign Policy
The Republican front-runner delivered his most scripted address yet laying out what he called his 'consistent' and 'unpredictable' national security ambitions.
- Russell Berman
Threats
Terror Arrests Pose New Threat to Syrian Refugee Program
Republicans pounced on the news that two men indicted on terrorism charges had been resettled in the U.S. after fleeing Iraq.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
A Senate Vote on Donald Trump's Religious Test
Ted Cruz and three other Republicans oppose an amendment resolving that the country "must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion."
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Threats
US Seeks to Cut Off Another Route for Terrorist Travel
Lawmakers want to tighten the visa-waiver program to keep Islamic State militants out of the U.S.—and this time, they have the White House’s backing.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Threats
Can Terrorists Really Infiltrate the Syrian Refugee Program?
Despite the current uproar, the U.S. has been resettling people fleeing war-torn countries for decades without violent results.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Congress Might Actually Pass a Budget This Year — And Next
Negotiators are close to an agreement that would increase federal spending, and the debt limit, for the next two years.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Science & Tech
The Air Force Will Test the F-35 Against the A-10—But Not Until 2018
Is the Warthog better at defending ground troops? The brass wants to know, not that they're in any rush.
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
Boehner Snubs Report, Pushes Forward on Benghazi
After the release of a recent GOP-led report vindicating the Obama administration, the House speaker wants to reappoint his own select inquiry into the 2012 terrorist attacks. By Russell Berman
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Threats
The World's Wealthiest Terrorists
ISIS has made at least $20 million in ransom this year and millions more in oil revenues, the Treasury Department said Thursday. By Russell Berman
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Threats
The Military Is Spending $750 Million To Fight Ebola In Africa
The American mission in Liberia will take 4,000 troops, cost $750 million, and could last more than a year. By Russell Berman
- Russell Berman, The Atlantic
Policy
GOP Hawks Come Out in Force Against Obama's 'Limited' Iraq Airstrikes
Senator John McCain and Texas governor Rick Perry are among the Republicans saying Obama is simply too soft on the Islamic State. By Russell Berman
- Russell Berman, The Wire