As we count down the last days of the year, we just want to say thank you to each and every one of you — whether you’ve written for us, read us, listened to our show, or just sent a good vibe or two our way.
2018 was a good one. We did our part to elevate some amazing new voices, celebrated our one-year anniversary, and had some early success that exceeded even our wildest expectations.
You’ve made it all possible. So stay tuned — because there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share.
Here’s a look back at some of the most popular stories we published this year:
10. Congress Went Bigly on the Budget
“You get an F-35! And you get an F-35! Everyone gets an F-35!” Stephen Miles breaks down Congress’ deal to increase Pentagon spending.
9. Let’s Resolve to Add More Women of Color in National Security
Bishop Garrison delivers a call to action.
8. What to Wear to a Nuclear War
“Stilettos burn slightly slower than fabric, and are an excellent way to go out with a bang.” Jamie Withorne offers up a searing satire on the impacts of nuclear war.
7. Haitians South of the Border: A Tale of Two Cities
Johanna Mendelson Forman details the lives of Haitian immigrants on the border between the US and Mexico.
6. John McCain: My Hero and the Man I Knew
Rob Levinson’s moving tribute to John McCain.
Inkstick editor Laicie Heeley sits down with the inimitable Alex Bell.
4. Clickbait and Charts to Nowhere
Peter Marino and Milena Rodban have some harsh words for purveyors of political risk.
3. National Security Experts Helped Hand Trump His Travel Ban
Loren DeJonge Schulman says that national security experts must bear some of the responsibility for creating an opaque, exclusive environment that ultimately led the courts to uphold the Trump administration’s travel ban.
2. Losing Middle Ground: The Forgotten Side of the Nuclear Debate
Kate Hewitt argues that “We have lost civilized dialogue in the nuclear community on nuclear weapons.”
1. Stop Trying to Make Swagger Happen
Alex Bell explains why Secretary Pompeo’s #swagger campaign missed the mark in a big, big way.