Ideas

What Congress Can Do To Restore the Balance of Power With China

Congress needs to focus on China and stop relying on the Pentagon and think tanks. By Rep. J. Randy Forbes

Ideas

Straight Talk on the South China Sea

If the U.S. really cares about China’s territorial claims, now is the time to say it. By Vikram Singh and Ely Ratner

Ideas

3 Ways Obama Expanded War Powers Well Beyond George W. Bush

Here are three precedents set by the Obama administration that make it even easier to use lethal force abroad without congressional approval. By Conor Friedersdorf

Ideas

How the US Can Turn the GCC Into a Lasting Military Alliance

The Islamic State has achieved one thing: it got the GCC to agree on something. Now, can the U.S. make it last? By Melissa G. Dalton

Ideas

Is Religion The Cause of All Major Wars in History?

In her new book, Fields of Blood, Karen Armstrong argues against the idea that faith causes wars. By Emma Green

Ideas

Building US-UK Military Relations With Science and Technology

Because the U.S. and Britain can’t afford to fight – or develop tomorrow’s technologies -- alone. By UK Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach

Ideas

US Foreign Policy, Viewed from the Middle East

Washington's apparent moves toward containment are puzzling America's already tense Middle Eastern allies. By Elliott Abrams

Ideas

These Countries Are Still Paying Off Debt from World War I

Several nations are still paying for WWI a century later. By Kabir Chibber

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