Outside the Beltway was founded in 2003 by James Joyner, a political scientist and former U.S. Army officer. Joyner started the blog as a personal project to share his thoughts on politics and current events from a perspective outside of Washington D.C.'s “Beltway“ culture. The name “Outside the Beltway“ refers to the physical highway that encircles Washington D.C. and is often used metaphorically to describe the disconnect between the political elite and the rest of the country. Over time, the blog grew in popularity and expanded to include contributions from other writers. Today, Outside the Beltway remains independently owned and operated by Joyner. Based in the United States, Outside the Beltway primarily focuses on American politics, foreign policy, and national security issues. The site also covers a range of other topics including economics, law, technology, and occasionally sports and entertainment. Outside the Beltway aims to provide analysis and commentary on current events, often incorporating academic perspectives into its coverage. The site features a mix of original content and curated news from other sources, offering readers a comprehensive view of important issues. One interesting fact: Despite its focus on serious political and policy issues, Outside the Beltway has maintained a longstanding tradition of posting a “Caption Contest“ every weekend. This feature invites readers to submit humorous captions for a selected news photo, fostering a sense of community engagement and adding a lighter touch to the site's typically serious content.