Site Navigation
Latest Stories
Sign up for GZERO Daily.
US Politics In 60 Seconds
Get insights on the latest news in US politics from Jon Lieber, head of Eurasia Group's coverage of political and policy developments in Washington
Presented by
Jon Lieber, head of Eurasia Group's coverage of political and policy developments in Washington, shares insights on US politics:
What is the legacy of Colin Powell?
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell tragically died of complications of COVID-19. He was the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first Black National Security Advisor and the first Black Secretary of State. And he leaves a legacy of a long career, dedicated almost entirely to public service.
Powell's legacy will probably be defined by two things. One is the creation of the Powell Doctrine developed in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, which gave a blueprint for US military action that had to be overwhelmingly decisive and with a clear exit plan to avoid the kind of quagmire that the Vietnam War became. The second legacy item is his unfortunate role in making the case for the Iraq War, with a presentation in 2003 in front of the UN on Iraq's possession of chemical weapons, that later turned out to be false. This was a key justification used at the time by the Bush administration and a stain on Powell's otherwise excellent reputation.
Unfortunately, because Powell died of complications of COVID-19, he had been treated for multiple myeloma, which weakens the immune system and he was fully vaccinated. This means his death will become a political football among the 10% to 15% of Americans who are hardcore anti-vaxxers, and who claim the vaccines don't actually protect you from COVID-19. A sad day for the Powell family and a tragic day for America.
More from US Politics In 60 Seconds
How Biden’s presidency will be remembered
What Trump’s cabinet picks reveal so far
US election: GOP could win a Trump-led sweep
2024 US election: What to look out for
Defining Kamala Harris at DNC 2024
DNC unites around 3 key themes
Why Project 2025 is getting so much attention at the DNC
DNC Night 2: Obama set to rally support for Harris
What Tim Walz adds to Kamala Harris' campaign
With Biden out, can Kamala Harris defeat Trump?
RNC shows how Trump has transformed GOP
Trump's pick for VP: JD Vance
Will the Trump attack shift GOP approach at the RNC?
Why replacing Biden would be a challenge
Trump's VP pick: The short list
Trump has been found guilty. Will voters care?
Campus protests spill over into US political sphere
Trump's NYC hush-money trial: What to watch for
How Trump's money problems could affect the 2024 election
Biden's vigorous SOTU speech aims to prove doubters wrong
Why Mitch McConnell is stepping down
3 themes to watch as US election season begins
Ballot battle: Colorado vs Trump
What Democrats and Republicans have in common this Thanksgiving
Biden's 2024 prospects slip even as Democrats make gains
Meet Mike Johnson, US House Speaker & DC's most Googled person
Is Biden's embrace of Israel a political liability for him?
What's next after Kevin McCarthy's ouster?
The implications of Senator Feinstein's passing
US government shutdown: No end in sight
Mitt Romney will be defined by opposing Trump
No-show Trump wins first GOP debate
Trump skips debate
Will Trump's indictment in Georgia do him in?
Trump's uncertain future amid new indictments
Hunter Biden's legal issues are an opportunity for GOP
Threads, Twitter, & the 2024 US election
Why Mexico is a key issue in the 2024 US election
Timing on Trump's federal trial has huge implications
Biden & McCarthy both win in debt ceiling showdown
DeSantis' 2024 strategy: dominate the internet
Debt ceiling deal: long way to go in little time
2024 elections: Another likely Biden v Trump extravaganza
Subsidy game could hurt Canada-US relations
Hugely popular TikTok unlikely to be banned by US Congress
SVB political fallout ... not as dramatic as you think
Biden shifting to center ahead of 2024 reelection bid
Nikki Haley's in, but GOP primary remains Trump/DeSantis showdown
State of the Union a Biden 2024 campaign preview
Biden's "mini" document scandal could hurt his position with Dems
GOP partisanship could trigger first-ever US default
Five concessions McCarthy made to become House speaker
Speaker vote mess shows how ungovernable US House is
Zelensky tells Congress US aid is only path to war resolution
Zelensky in Washington for arms & aid, not just symbolic support
Independent Kyrsten Sinema won't change the US Senate
Warnock's Georgia victory: Dems control every Senate Committee
US Dems and GOP can be thankful this Thanksgiving
Will Trump’s 2024 candidacy sink Republicans?
GOP underperforms and Dems surprise in US midterms
US voters think GOP can fix the economy, but can they? Not likely
Will the 2022 midterms affect US support for Ukraine?
Reading the US midterm election tea leaves
Will US Congress change Social Security?
GOP wants immigration front and center in midterms
Have Republicans ruined their chances of taking the Senate?
NatCon 2022: Conservatives rethink foundations of the American right
Will the DOJ charge Trump after Mar-a-Lago raid?
Trump Mar-a-Lago affidavit: who accessed top secret documents?
$10,000 in student loan forgiveness: what's the point?
Closing tax loopholes: How US Congress will fund spending bill
Are we in a recession?
Climate emergency: limited Biden executive power
Are US politicians too old?
GZERO Series
Puppet Regime
Quick Take
ask ian
Ian Explains
GZERO Reports
GZERO Europe
The Debrief
Global Stage
GZERO Daily: our free newsletter about global politics
Keep up with what’s going on around the world - and why it matters.