David Ignatius

Washington, D.C.

Columnist covering foreign affairs

Education: Harvard College; Kings College, Cambridge

David Ignatius writes a twice-a-week foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. Ignatius has written 11 spy novels: “The Paladin” (2020), “The Quantum Spy,” (2017), “The Director,” (2014), “Bloodmoney” (2011), “The Increment” (2009), “Body of Lies” (2007), “The Sun King” (1999), “A Firing Offense” (1997), “The Bank of Fear” (1994), “SIRO” (1991), and “Agents of Innocence” (1987). “Body of Lies” was made into a 
Latest from David Ignatius

Chat with David Ignatius about the war in Ukraine and foreign affairs

David's live chat with readers starts at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Submit your questions now.

May 6, 2024

How Ukraine can make best use of the U.S. aid package

The infusion of arms won’t end the war. But it averts the worst possible outcomes.

April 23, 2024
Artillery projectiles are stored for shipping at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pa., in April 2023. (Matt Rourke/AP)

The unspoken story of why Israel didn’t clobber Iran

One rule for containing a crisis is to keep your mouth shut. But I’ll tell you what appears to have happened between Israel and Iran.

April 19, 2024
An Israeli flag flies on the Mount of Olives overlooking the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the skyline in Jerusalem on Friday.

This defiant Ukrainian general has no smile — and surprising remarks on Trump

Spy chief Kyrylo Budanov is the “man without a smile” and the driver of efforts take the fight to Russia.

April 17, 2024
Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov at a February 2023 event marking the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP)

A quandary in Israel: How to retaliate — but not escalate?

U.S. officials will probably be disappointed in the path Israel takes after Iran’s missile attack.

April 15, 2024
Iranians carry a model of a missile during a celebration after Iran's attack on Israel, in Tehran on Monday. (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

A stunning victory with the shield creates an opening for Israel

“A good defense is the best offense” applies to modern warfare, too

April 14, 2024
An antimissile system firing as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday night after Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

The Middle East is on the precipice of the wider war no one wants

“Praying that things stay calm,” one official messaged as Israel braced for a possible attack from Iran

April 12, 2024
An excavator clears rubble after an Israeli strike this week on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria. (Firas Makdesi/Reuters)

Why won’t the U.S. shoot down Russian missiles in Ukraine? I answered your questions.

David’s live chat with readers began 12 p.m. ET on Monday.

April 8, 2024

When will the Ukraine war end? I answered your questions.

David’s live chat with readers starts at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Read the transcript.

April 8, 2024

How Ukraine’s tech army is taking the fight to Russia

Life-or-death pressure to innovate has produced a weird fusion of Silicon Valley and trench warfare.

April 5, 2024
A Ukrainian soldier launches a reconnaissance drone near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk region in March. (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters)