February 2017 – Brian F. Bridgeforth

Harry Truman and the Atomic Bomb

February 28, 2017

On August 6th, 1945, President Harry Truman was on board the USS Augusta off the coast of England. Just before noon as he sat down for lunch, he was handed a map of Japan with

Next Week: Trump Goes to Congress, and a Showdown with Russia over Kosovo

February 24, 2017

Next week there are two major events to discuss. One is President Trump will address Congress for the first time, and the other is a United Nations showdown between Russia and the West over Kosovo

Who is Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres?

February 22, 2017

This past January as Donald Trump became U.S. President, António Guterres became the Secretary General of the United Nations. It is the first time since 1953 executive leadership has changed in the U.S. and the U.N.

PEPFAR and George W. Bush’s Great Humanitarian Legacy in Africa

February 20, 2017

In George W. Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address he announced his bold plans for what became known as PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). The program would become reality and go on

Next Week: The National Security Council, Yemen, and Mugabe

February 17, 2017

Next week there will be at least three major events of importance: The search for a new National Security Adviser, possible expansion of U.N. sanctions against Yemen, and the birthday of Robert Mugabe. New National

Moscow on the Potomac: Why Trump Must Not Trust Putin

February 15, 2017

Donald Trump is putting a lot of faith into a working relationship with Vladimir Putin, and it has already been costing him dearly before any clear set goals have been announced. Trump’s remarks, often careless,

Next Week: Netanyahu, Munich, and Iran

February 10, 2017

Next week there are three major events worth noting. Netanyahu will meet with Trump, the Munich Security Conference gets underway, and the anniversary of the Iran Revolution will be marked. Netanyahu and Trump to Meet

The First Combat Death for a New Administration

February 1, 2017

Trump’s first authorized military operation resulted in the first combat death of his presidency. The death of a soldier came early for Trump happening just eight days after he took office. The operation in Yemen this