Presidents and other elected officials are often politically rewarded for rallying the nation around military crises, both real and contrived. Colonel Eric Reid argues that it is time to have a national dialogue between elected officials and the public about the role of military intervention in U.S. foreign policy and its associated costs.

“It was the daily coverage of the Hong Kong protests and the violence that made it very real for Taiwan voters what a too-close relationship with China might lead to.” Richard Bush reacts to Tsai Ing-wen’s victory in Taiwan’s recent presidential election and explains what it will mean for the country’s tense relationship with China.

When people are not voting in their economic self-interest, how should development policy be designed? In the introduction to a new blog series on the future of global development, Shanta Devarajan examines this dilemma and outlines a new approach to consider.