As so many writers know, the experience of creating an imaginary world is closer to dreaming than it is to normal, grit-your-teeth work. It's preconscious rather than conscious. Ideas fall into your head, and the book writes you, rather than the other way around. David Ignatius bookcloseconscious share on social
President Obama was right to ban torture, but the public must understand that this decision carries a potential cost in lost information. That's what makes it a moral choice. David Ignatius bancarrychoice Change image and share on social
World War II provides a string of celebrated cases of deception and manipulation. David Ignatius casecelebratedeception Change image and share on social
The American experiment has always depended on a measure of tolerance and good sense. David Ignatius americandependexperiment Change image and share on social
Europeans don't like to talk about intelligence, and they often pretend their countries don't spy. David Ignatius countryeuropeanintelligence Change image and share on social
Russia is emerging as an essential diplomatic and security partner for the U.S. in Syria, despite the Obama administration's opposition to Moscow's support for President Bashar al-Assad. David Ignatius administrationassadbashar Change image and share on social
Sometimes James Bond movies drive me crazy. They're fun to watch, but they don't have anything to do at all with what intelligence officers really do. David Ignatius bondcrazydrive Change image and share on social
U.S. adversaries exploit power gaps. It's easier for Russia to invade Ukraine with irregular forces out of uniform, the so-called 'little green men,' than to send a conventional army that would challenge NATO. David Ignatius adversaryarmycall share on social
In a chaotic world, U.S. diplomats will probably have even less contact with the people they need to reach. David Ignatius chaoticcontactdiplomat Change image and share on social
Make the financial industry pay for its mistakes. That's the idea behind the best of the Obama administration's reform proposals: If banks issue securities backed by mortgages, say, then require them to hold some of that paper so that they will bear some of the losses. David Ignatius administrationbackbank share on social
