Ideas

Stop Putting Afghanistan on a Deadline

Withdrawal timetables only delay failure; the U.S. should stay in or get out now.

Threats

After Karzai, An Unexpected 'Thank You For Your Service' From Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s new president wants U.S. troops — and their leaders — to know how much he appreciates them.

Policy

Why the Gulf States Won’t Save Yemen

The Gulf Cooperation Council's joint military force is not built for war, but to protect authoritarian regimes from unarmed civilian uprisings.

Policy

'Imagine' Ted Cruz As Commander In Chief

The self-declared outsider launches his presidential bid with national security stances that don’t stray far from the ‘mushy middle’ he denounces.

Policy

The New Era in US-Afghanistan Relations

This week's visit of Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah marks the start of a reset in the Obama administration's policy towards Afghanistan.

Policy

How the White House and Congress Plan To Boost Defense: Ignore Sequestration

Washington is really planning to avoid dealing with the budget caps, and boost defense spending anyway.

Policy

Your Opinion About the Iran Deal Means Nothing to Obama

The White House doesn't seem to care Americans aren't convinced that Obama's Iran deal will work -- but what about key Democrats?

Policy

The Fine Line Netanyahu Must Walk Into His Fourth Term as Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu earned his fourth term as Israel's prime minister in part by doing whatever it takes to keep his job, including renouncing his own positions.

Policy

SpaceX's Biggest Military Advantage Isn't Just Cheap Rockets

As the upstart competes for Air Force contracts, it hopes that its competitor's reliance on Russian parts gives it an advantage.

Policy

Here’s What Is in the Senate’s Cybersecurity Bill

The new measure would increase information sharing amongst the intelligence community, while expanding the NSA's surveillance authorities.

Policy

Republicans Push Climate Change Cuts at CIA, Defense Department

The new GOP budget wants to gut the Pentagon's research into the national security implications of climate change.

Policy

GOP Budget Hawks Want To Use War Funds To Skirt Defense Caps

McCain, but not everyone, dismissed using OCO funds as a 'dodge' around ending sequestration and getting back to a normal budget process.

Policy

Tom Cotton, the GOP's Newest Hawk, Takes Flight

Is Sen. Tom Cotton the hawk to lead the GOP back to national security supremacy?

Policy

Support for Government Surveillance Could Imperil GOP's 2016 Hopefuls

That's one of several takeaways from a Pew survey measuring how much the Snowden leaks have changed how Americans protect their privacy online.

Policy

Is There a Future for Russia Without Vladimir Putin?

Even if the president reappears, his absence reveals the chilling degree to which he has consolidated power in the country.

Policy

Undoing Netanyahu's Damage to US-Israel Relations

The former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, argues that it will crucial for Jerusalem's next government to get right with Washington.

Policy

Senate Panel Advances Cybersecurity Bill

In the wake of last December's Sony hack, the Senate Intelligence Committee passed a controversial information sharing bill that could embolden the NSA's surveillance programs.

Policy

The Only Thing the White House and Congress Agree On About the War Against ISIS

Senators and Obama’s top officials agree on one thing on the war against the Islamic State -- Congress is unlikely to authorize it, and it’s unlikely to matter.

Policy

GOP 2016 Hopefuls Line Up To Endorse Letter to Iran

Despite criticism the Senate GOP stumbled in writing Tehran's leaders, the party's 2016 hopefuls are racing to take a stand on what's seen as a lasting issue.