DC Insider
US Politics, World News & DC Living
Beyond the Beltway Soundbites
DC Insider Goes Global
My articles & talks on US politics & international affairs
“The 20-Year Story of One Afghan’s Journey” – March 2022
“What Was Putin Thinking? Even if he succeeds in toppling Ukraine’s government, Vladimir Putin has already lost” – March 2022
“Fauci Pushes Boosters but Says Focus Is Still on Vaccinating the Unvaccinated” – November 2021
“The Banality of Conventional Wisdom: Despite sagging poll numbers and soaring inflation, it’s worth questioning the prevailing narrative that the sky is falling on the White House” – November 2021
“The Manchema Mess: Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are dictating the Democratic Party’s agenda. Is it fair? No. Is there anything Democrats can do about it? Not really.” – October 2021
“A Tragedy on All Fronts: American Hubris, Afghan Corruption Contributed to the Country’s Stunning, but Not Entirely Surprising, Downfall — And Now Ordinary Afghans Will Pay the Price” – August 2021
“The Bill Comes Due: Will There Be Repercussions for Trump and His Acolytes for Trying to Steal an Election?” – February 2021
Global Education Conference (moderator) – December 2020
“Sinam Mohamad Pushes U.S. Not to Abandon Her Fellow Kurds” – September 2020
“Crisis Manager: Canada’s New Envoy Confronts Pandemic, Protest and Protectionism” – July 2020
“Australia’s Boiling Point: Catastrophic Wildfires Leave Lasting Scars, and Lessons, on the Continent” – April 2020
Michèle Flournoy, one of the highest-ranking women to serve in the Pentagon, talks about what keeps her up at night – April 2020
“As Coronavirus Spread, State Department Evacuated Over 100,000 Americans” – June 2020
“Academics Say U.S. Interventions to Force Regime Change Often Fail” – May 2020
VIDEO : Ambassador Insider Series – Women in Diplomacy
DC Insider Goes Local
My coverage of culture & living in the nation’s capital
“Turkish Coffee Lady Brings Caffeine and Culture to Old Town Alexandria” – February 2022
“George Mason University Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Looking to the Future” – January 2022
“‘Flight’ Takes Viewers on an Unforgettable Journey, Grounded in a Harsh Reality” – December 2021
“Meridian Brings the Magic Back — Safely — for 53rd Ball” – November 2021
“Johnny Artis, Staple of the DC Music Scene, Dies of COVID-19 Complications” – November 2021
“DC Skateboarder Finds a Souvenir from His Icon, Tony Hawk” – November 2021
“Spirited Excursions: Savor the Season by Checking Out the Area’s Many Wineries” – November 2021
“West Virginia Governor Would Welcome Western Maryland Counties with ‘Open Arms’” – October 2021
“In Maryland, 2 Separate Redistricting Commissions Look to Redraw the Legislative Map“ – October 2021
“Statue of Liberty’s ‘Little Sister’ Comes to DC to Celebrate US-France ties” – July 2021
“AU Marks 60 Years of Peace Corps with Intimate Stories and Memories” – April 2021
“Fauci Talks About His Italian-American Heritage at NIAF Gala” – December 2020
“Long Before Trump’s ‘Fake News’, Artists Stretched the Truth” – October 2020
“Ambassadors Ball Goes Virtual to Raise Funds to Fight MS” – October 2020
“Capricia Marshall’s New Book Makes Case for Enduring Power of Protocol” – July 2020
“Coronavirus Pandemic Transforms Holiday Etiquette” – October 2020
“Strathmore Creates Digital Monuments to Influential Local Artists” – October 2020
“GALA Hispanic Theatre Faces the Pandemic on Both Personal and Professional Level” – April 2020
Useless thought of the day: Wind chimes are creepy.
What in the World Is Going On?
A few random blog musings below. For more, check out my newsletter: Beltway Breakdown
What was Putin thinking?
Even if he succeeds in toppling Ukraine’s government, Vladimir Putin has already lost.
Give Biden a break
It’s time for everyone, the media included, to understand the limits of an American presidency.
D.C. Déjà Vu: Politics and Parties
What’s that in the air? Cicadas? Yes — that’s them making a kamikaze dive bomb toward your car. Humidity? Yes — remember, D.C. is a literal swamp. Political maneuvering and recriminations on the Hill? A given. But on a brighter note, D.C. is emerging from its pandemic hibernation and enjoying a renewed sense of normalcy.
THE DEMOCRATS’ (IMPOSSIBLE?) TO-DO LIST
AFGHANISTAN: 20 YEARS LATER
EUROPEAN AMBASSADOR STAVROS LAMBRINIDIS ON EU-US RELATIONS UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
REP. KAREN BASS: DIVERSIFYING THE U.S. FOREIGN SERVICE
TRUMP’S SHADOW: FADING OR BRIGHTER THAN EVER?
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: THE DAMAGE
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: THE AFTERMATH
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: RUSSIA
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: EUROPEAN UNION
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: CHINA
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: LATIN AMERICA
U.S. ELECTION SERIES: ISRAEL AND THE GULF STATES
VENEZUELA: WHAT’S NEXT?
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT DIPLOMATS NEED TO KNOW
POST-PANDEMIC LONG-TERM THREATS
LEADERSHIP DURING A PANDEMIC
DIPLOMACY IN AN AGE OF CORONAVIRUS
OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
Gustave Flaubert
Photos from my travels around the world!
INSIDE THE BELTWAY
Washingtonians may work hard, but they also play hard. Here are some of the city’s mainstays and a few of its secrets:
*We know museums, restaurants, shops and essentially the world are closed for now because of the coronavirus pandemic, but we’re also optimistic we can overcome this crisis and return to our lives, so hopefully this guide offers some helpful inspiration for rediscovering the joys of life.
About
As longtime managing editor of the respected The Washington Diplomat newspaper, my mission has been to give readers a clear-eyed view of U.S. politics, foreign policy and world affairs that goes beyond the Beltway noise to help people understand what matters and why.
Along with this big-picture breakdown of the news, we uncover the wealth of local gems, from exhibitions to dining to galas, that make D.C. a truly global capital of culture. These are crazy times. It seems like Washington — and the entire world — have been turned upside down. I’ll explore both inside and out to help you make sense of it all.
Get In Touch
Email me at:
agawel@washdiplomat.com or agawel@wtop.com
or agaweldc@gmail.com
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