Miller Center of Public Affairs

09/16/2026

"The Trump administration’s push to shift primary defense responsibilities onto Europe and withdraw U.S. forces has prematurely decoupled American protection, leaving the continent dangerously exposed and undermining decades of allied deterrence."

Trump's push for Europe to "stand on its own feet" is happening far too fast—and is actively undermining decades of allied deterrence and NATO strength, argues the Miller Center's Eric Edelman.



https://zurl.co/WkO5L

Trump has already undermined NATO and allied deterrence.

09/16/2026

Join the Miller Center's Eric Edelman and Elliot Cohen as they unpack the widening conflict in the Middle East—particularly the Houthi offensive in the Red Sea—as well as major domestic controversies, including unprecedented political corruption and the Kennedy Center financial crisis.

https://zurl.co/i8kWt

Plus updates from the Middle East & Ukraine, and special guest Will Hitchcock!

09/16/2026

Recent surveys show that, by a wide margin, Americans increasingly see their government as corrupt—has it ever been like this before?

Watergate is probably as close as it gets, argues the Miller Center's Russell Riley. But Watergate was different "in that there was not the pattern of self-enrichment that you see in this instance."
https://zurl.co/TDfCW

History shows periods of corruption tend to be followed by waves of reform. But legislative or constitutional fixes face high hurdles in such polarized times.

09/16/2026

Influenced by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, President John F. Kennedy signed the first legislation guaranteeing equal pay for women, discusses the Miller Center’s Barbara Perry.

Barbara A. Perry is the J. Wilson Newman Professor of Governance at the Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program. Her new book, “Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt,” explores how JFK won Roosevelt’s trust while running for president—and how their collaboration advanced causes that Roosevelt had championed throughout her life, including women’s rights, civil rights, and the Peace Corps.

09/16/2026

Why did Eleanor Roosevelt initially oppose the Equal Rights Amendment? The Miller Center’s Barbara Perry discusses Roosevelt’s concerns about the legislation, which was never fully adopted into the U.S. Constitution.

Barbara A. Perry is the J. Wilson Newman Professor of Governance at the Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program. Her new book, “Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt,” explores how JFK won Roosevelt’s trust while running for president—and how their collaboration advanced causes that Roosevelt had championed throughout her life, including women’s rights, civil rights, and the Peace Corps.

09/16/2026

ON MONDAY! With the 2026 midterm elections poised to reshape the political landscape, join us on Sept. 21 for a conversation exploring the key races, emerging trends, and broader forces that will define the campaign season. Register to attend 👇 https://zurl.co/b0UUB

Drawing on their expertise in political science, electoral analysis, campaign strategy, and Washington reporting, panelists will examine the national political environment, the issues most likely to influence voters, and the potential implications of the election for Congress, the presidency, and public policy.

09/15/2026

One month before 9/11, President George W. Bush received a president’s daily brief with an item warning in general terms of al-Qaeda’s objective to hurt America. It didn’t, however, include specifics such as dates or locations. This entry has been misused to promote a myth that the CIA was warning that something terrible was about to happen—but Bush failed to act.

According to the Miller Center's Bush Oral History Project, "the importance of this PDB is vastly overstated."



https://zurl.co/zeFIO

Truthers and partisans incorrectly believe that his administration ignored a key warning before the attacks.

09/15/2026

The Miller Center’s Barbara Perry discusses the evolution of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s progressive politics. Click the link in our bio to watch more of our “‘Reconcilable Differences:’ John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt” event.

Barbara A. Perry is the J. Wilson Newman Professor of Governance at the Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program. Her new book, “Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt,” explores how JFK won Roosevelt’s trust while running for president—and how their collaboration advanced causes that Roosevelt had championed throughout her life, including women’s rights, civil rights, and the Peace Corps.

09/15/2026

Why did First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt “despise” Joseph P. Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy? Click the link in our bio to watch more of our “‘Reconcilable Differences:’ John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt” event.

Barbara A. Perry is the J. Wilson Newman Professor of Governance at the Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program. Her new book, “Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt,” explores how JFK won Roosevelt’s trust while running for president—and how their collaboration advanced causes that Roosevelt had championed throughout her life, including women’s rights, civil rights, and the Peace Corps.