Author Archive

Michael Hirsh

Michael Hirsh

Michael Hirsh is chief correspondent for National Journal. He also contributes to 2012 Decoded. Hirsh previously served as the senior editor and national economics correspondent for Newsweek, based in its Washington bureau. He was also Newsweek’s Washington web editor and authored a weekly column for Newsweek.com, “The World from Washington.” Earlier on, he was Newsweek’s foreign editor, guiding its award-winning coverage of the September 11 attacks and the war on terror. He has done on-the-ground reporting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world, and served as the Tokyo-based Asia Bureau Chief for Institutional Investor from 1992 to 1994. Hirsh has appeared many times as a commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and National Public Radio. He has written for the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Harper’s, and Washington Monthly, and authored two books, Capital Offense: How Washington’s Wise Men Turned America’s Future over to Wall Street and At War with Ourselves: Why America Is Squandering its Chance to Build a Better World. Hirsh has received numerous awards, including the Overseas Press Club award for best magazine reporting from abroad in 2001 and for Newsweek’s coverage of the war on terror, which also won a National Magazine Award.
Michael Hirsh is chief correspondent for National Journal. He also contributes to 2012 Decoded. Hirsh previously served as the senior editor and national economics correspondent for Newsweek, based in its Washington bureau. He was also Newsweek’s Washington web editor and authored a weekly column for Newsweek.com, “The World from Washington.” Earlier on, he was Newsweek’s foreign editor, guiding its award-winning coverage of the September 11 attacks and the war on terror. He has done on-the-ground reporting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world, and served as the Tokyo-based Asia Bureau Chief for Institutional Investor from 1992 to 1994. Hirsh has appeared many times as a commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and National Public Radio. He has written for the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Harper’s, and Washington Monthly, and authored two books, Capital Offense: How Washington’s Wise Men Turned America’s Future over to Wall Street and At War with Ourselves: Why America Is Squandering its Chance to Build a Better World. Hirsh has received numerous awards, including the Overseas Press Club award for best magazine reporting from abroad in 2001 and for Newsweek’s coverage of the war on terror, which also won a National Magazine Award.
Defense

After Ukraine, Will the U.S. Become an Energy Superpower?

The Russian chill and Mideast instability are boosting bipartisan support for domestic energy production.

Tech

Why the CIA Is Still Doing Drones

The White House is supposed to be handing the program over to the Pentagon. Here's why they're dragging their feet.

Oversight

The NSA's Future: A Tale of Two Committees

In both the House and Senate, the Judiciary and Intelligence committees will fight over the survival of surveillance.

Defense

How Obama Learned to Deal with the Taliban

The militants' willingness to talk signals weakness—and is the most hopeful sign for the U.S. in Afghanistan in years.

Management

Analysis: The President's Turbulent European Vacation

Obama's honeymoon with the world is over.

Defense

The Surveillance State: How We Got Here

NSA’s tracking programs were pushed by the Senate, House and executive branch after 9/11.

Defense

Intelligence Chief: I Didn't Lie About NSA Surveillance

In interview with National Journal, Clapper says he didn't intend to mislead.

Defense

Susan Rice and Samantha Power: Less Change Than Meets the Eye

Obama's new national security adviser, U.N. ambassador aren't as controversial as you think.

Defense

How the Afghan Conflict Will Be Decided

More U.S. casualties reaffirm Obama’s rush to rely on the Afghan army. Can they handle it?

Defense

NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’

U.S., allies are talking about commitments through 2018 and beyond, says top commander.

Management

It’s Obama’s Economy—at Last

We only seem to be back. It’s a far less equal economy--and big dangers loom for the president’s legacy.

Defense

Analysis: How Obama Fumbled Afghanistan

A new account by Richard Holbrooke's deputy hits the president hard on foreign policy.

Defense

Analysis: The Rehabilitation of Chuck Hagel

Beyond the sequester, the new Pentagon chief plans a fast trip, and a focus on veterans.

Defense

Analysis: Chuck Hagel, Strategic Thinker

Why aren’t more pundits defending the Defense nominee for foreseeing today’s budget problems? Probably because they were wrong themselves.

Management

Why Obama Thanked Hillary

The president's former political rival journeyed a long, hard road to loyalty.

Defense

Analysis: What Obama's missing in Afghanistan

More than troops, the president needs a strategy in the region -- and a diplomat.

Oversight

Joe Biden: The most influential vice president in history?

From the fiscal cliff to gun control to Afghanistan, Scranton's favorite son has transformed himself from affable gaffer to West Wing powerhouse.

Defense

Analysis: Is Chuck Hagel being punished for stance on Iraq?

For too many lawmakers, a Defense Secretary Hagel would be a nagging reminder of what they got wrong.

Management

White House wavers on Hagel, considers others for Defense

Nebraska Republican’s Pentagon nomination appears to be failing because of his blunt advocacy of unpopular positions.