Ideas

Who Controls Foreign Policy – the President or Congress?

A Supreme Court case over passports for people born in Jerusalem could have a surprisingly big effect on the balance of power in the United States. By Garrett Epps

Science & Tech

Making Robot Steering More Like Call of Duty Could Save Lives

To make little tanks more drivable, ditch the tank controls, research shows. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

The Roots of the Islamic State's Appeal

ISIS's rise is related to Islam. The question is: How? By Shadi Hamid

Ideas

Counterterrorism Messaging Needs To Move From State to CIA

The information battleground against the Islamic State should be fought by the CIA. Here’s why. By Philip Seib

Ideas

The Cold War May Be Over, But the Fight Against Russia Isn’t

When it comes to visible signs of strength in Eastern Europe, NATO and Russia are going in opposite directions. By Mark Seip

Ideas

More Than 6,000 Afghan Interpreters Are Stuck in Bureaucratic Limbo

Unless lawmakers act soon, the U.S. program to get Afghan translators to safety will end on Dec. 31. By Emerson Brooking and Janine Davidson

Ideas

Why the US Needs a Strategy To Counter 'Hybrid Warfare'

The Pentagon should expect more than a conventional fight in any military conflict with Russia, China, Iran or Syria. And it should start preparing for it immediately. By Robert A. Newson

Ideas

The Air Force’s Quiet Energy Revolution

Now, more than ever, energy is a critical means to maintain our strategic advantage. By Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James

Science & Tech

Here Are Some Robots We Could Use To Fight Ebola in Africa

A robotic helping hand could fight Ebola from a safe distance. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Should America Protect Itself Through Bridges or Barricades?

President Obama's response to global challenges stresses coalition-building over unilateralism. By Ronald Brownstein

Ideas

Even Containment Needs Boots on the Ground

Even to keep ISIL at bay, U.S. or Iraqi forces would need to reclaim some cities – and that requires combat ground troops. By Jerry Meyerle

Ideas

The Last Step to an Iran Nuclear Deal

Washington is too focused on Iran’s ability to enrich nuclear material instead of our ability to watch them. By Greg Thielmann

Ideas

Contain ISIS, Then Roll It Back

If we haven’t defeated al-Qaeda by now, why do we expect to ‘destroy’ ISIS? By Richard Fontaine

Ideas

Like It or Not, Containment Is What It Is

As bad as containment sounds, it may now be hard to accomplish more. By Thomas Karako

Ideas

Why Containment Is a Myth

Containment is no ‘easy button’ for national security. Here’s why. By James Jay Carafano

Ideas

Stop Saying the Pentagon Can’t Pay for Our Wars

The Pentagon has plenty of money to do its job. By Ethan Rosenkranz, Erica Fein and Stephen Miles

Ideas

What Could US Boots on the Ground Do in Iraq and Syria?

Boots on the ground in Iraq or Syria should be seen as a capability, not a strategy. By Brian Michael Jenkins

Ideas

Troops Need To Start Job Hunting Before They Leave the Military

Nearly half of veterans stay in their first post-separation jobs for less than 12 months. It’s time to change that. By James Schmeling and Nicholas Armstrong

Ideas

Is ISIS Using Chemical Weapons?

If reports that the Islamic State has used chemical weapons in Syria are true, where did they get them? By Joseph Cirincione and Paul Walker

Ideas

Obama Is Working With the Wrong Partners in Iraq

The U.S. is behaving like junior partners to Iran and propping up Shiites in Baghdad, instead of Sunnis on the front line. By Bing West