James Traub

James Traub is a columnist at Foreign Policy, nonresident fellow at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, and author of the book What Was Liberalism? The Past, Present and Promise of A Noble Idea.

Follow James Traub:
On Twitter
Articles by James Traub
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 09: L - R Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu helps US Vice President Joe Biden as he signs the guestbook at the Prime Minister's residence on March 9, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. The American Vice-President is in the Middel East to meet Israeli leaders including Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Jordan on Thursday. (Photo by Debbi Hill - Pool/Getty Images)
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 09: L - R Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu helps US Vice President Joe Biden as he signs the guestbook at the Prime Minister's residence on March 9, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. The American Vice-President is in the Middel East to meet Israeli leaders including Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Jordan on Thursday. (Photo by Debbi Hill - Pool/Getty Images)

Netanyahu Has Drawn a Saudi-U.S. Road Map
Argument
James Traub
Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel's parliament, the Knesset on January 13, 2014 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel's parliament, the Knesset on January 13, 2014 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Is Israel’s Democracy America’s Problem?
Analysis
James Traub
People hold sheets of paper in protest of COVID restriction in mainland during a vigil in the central district on November 28, 2022 in Hong Kong, China.
People hold sheets of paper in protest of COVID restriction in mainland during a vigil in the central district on November 28, 2022 in Hong Kong, China.

Can America Do Anything at All to Encourage Democracy?
Argument
James Traub
Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin meet during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin meet during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Talking With Russia Is Tempting—and Wrong
Argument
James Traub
Vladimir Putin addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, 2015 in New York City.
Vladimir Putin addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, 2015 in New York City.

The U.N. (as We Know It) Won’t Survive Russia’s War in Ukraine
Analysis
James Traub
US Representatives Ayanna Pressley speaks as, Ilhan Abdullahi Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Washington on July 15, 2019.
US Representatives Ayanna Pressley speaks as, Ilhan Abdullahi Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Washington on July 15, 2019.

Progressives Should Give War a Chance
Argument
James Traub
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speak with a guest before a Medal of Honor ceremony for Army Colonel Ralph Puckett in the East Room of the White House on May 21, 2021 in Washington.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speak with a guest before a Medal of Honor ceremony for Army Colonel Ralph Puckett in the East Room of the White House on May 21, 2021 in Washington.

How to See the World Like the Biden Administration
Argument
James Traub
Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on Jan. 29, 2021.
Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on Jan. 29, 2021.

The Crazy Logic of Brinksmanship Is Back
Analysis
James Traub
Modi stands alone in front of carpeted steps looking thoughtfully toward flags of India and Japan.
Modi stands alone in front of carpeted steps looking thoughtfully toward flags of India and Japan.

Cold War 2.0 Is Ushering In Nonalignment 2.0
Analysis
James Traub
The full moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on May 18, 2019.
The full moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on May 18, 2019.

Liberalism Isn’t Dead—but It’s Very Sick
Analysis
James Traub
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as he visits Chanel's Metiers d'Art workshops at le 19M, the building which houses around 600 artisans, in Paris, on January 20, 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as he visits Chanel's Metiers d'Art workshops at le 19M, the building which houses around 600 artisans, in Paris, on January 20, 2022.

Après Macron, Le Déluge
Argument
James Traub
Ukrainian refugees walk a bridge at the buffer zone with the border with Poland in the border crossing of Zosin-Ustyluh, western Ukraine on March 6, 2022.
Ukrainian refugees walk a bridge at the buffer zone with the border with Poland in the border crossing of Zosin-Ustyluh, western Ukraine on March 6, 2022.

The Moral Realism of Europe’s Refugee Hypocrisy
Argument
James Traub
More than 100,000 protesters crowd around the victory column near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to demonstrate for peace in Ukraine on Feb. 27.
More than 100,000 protesters crowd around the victory column near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to demonstrate for peace in Ukraine on Feb. 27.

There Is a West
Argument
James Traub
A military instructor teaches civilians holding wooden replicas of Kalashnikov rifles, as they take part in a training session at an abandoned factory in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on February 6, 2022.
A military instructor teaches civilians holding wooden replicas of Kalashnikov rifles, as they take part in a training session at an abandoned factory in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on February 6, 2022.

Winning in Ukraine Will Require Paying the Cost
Analysis
James Traub
Joe Biden speaks to reporters before the start of a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office at the White House on February 7, 2022 in Washington.
Joe Biden speaks to reporters before the start of a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office at the White House on February 7, 2022 in Washington.

Biden’s Truman Moment Has Arrived in Ukraine
Analysis
James Traub
Load more by James Traub Return to staff list

Latest

Blinken Kicks Off Diplomatic Mission in China

What Ghana Can Learn From Taiwan

Will Washington Sanction Sudan’s RSF?

U.S. Allies Relieved After Senate Passes Long-Delayed Aid Bill

U.K. Passes Controversial Rwanda Deportation Bill
See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    The Iran-Israel War Is Just Getting Started
  2. 2
    New Zealand Becomes the Latest Country to Pivot to the U.S.
  3. 3
    The New Idea of India
  4. 4
    Ukraine Is Still Outgunned by Russia
  5. 5
    The New Empires of the Internet Age
  6. 6
    U.S. Allies Relieved After Senate Passes Long-Delayed Aid Bill