Policy

Azerbaijan Is Behaving Like a Mini Russia

Azerbaijan's geography and natural resources make it a convenient US and EU ally. But the mercurial behavior of this pint-sized petrostate is creating some geopolitical problems.

Policy

Obama’s ISIS War Leaders Unclear on Proposed War Power’s Limits

Obama’s war leaders all have different definitions for his AUMF. But they want lawmakers to pass it anyway.

Policy

Stop Using the Phrase 'Muscular Foreign Policy'

Calling the GOP foreign policy 'muscular' means only one thing: a broader use of military force

Policy

Kerry Presses Congress for More Power and Money To Fight ISIS

With ‘no military solution’ echoing in Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry tells Congress to put the money where his mouth is: into the non-military efforts to defeat the Islamic State.

Policy

Paralyzed by Ukraine, Dumbfounded by Russia

President Obama has faced overseas challenges before. But he has never had to stare down a nuclear power bent on reestablishing its sphere of influence.

Policy

China's Island-Building Spree Is About More Than Just Military Might

Experts see Beijing as looking to cash in on a torrent of new oil and natural gas exploration along a rapidly-expanding island chain in the South China Sea.

Policy

For the First Time, Americans Support US Ground Troops Against ISIS

The Islamic State group's brutality has dramatically shifted public opinion in the United States.

Policy

How Hillary's Hawkishness Could Cost Her the Presidency

Clinton's support for the Iraq War backfired in 2008. Her support for the intervention in Libya could do the same in 2016.

Policy

Picking a Political Fight Over the Language of Terrorism

Instead of talking about the war on ISIS, the Obama administration is spending time tripping over words into a political trap it's opponents deftly have set.

Policy

Pentagon Press Secretary Kirby To Be Replaced by a Civilian

The familiar 2-star admiral will step down as Defense Secretary Ash Carter looks for a civilian mouthpiece.

Policy

Jeb Bush Is His Own Man -- And Most of His Competition -- on Foreign Policy

The U.S. “no longer inspires fear in our enemies” says Jeb Bush, painting Obama as indecisive, but saying little about what he’d do differently.

Policy

How America's History 'At War' Shapes the Battle Against ISIS

Considering America's history of declaring war, the Obama administration has taken a remarkable step forward by proposing a new authorization with a time limit.

Policy

Bob Corker’s War

How a soft-spoken southern senator who built shopping centers became one of the most important figures in the war against the Islamic State.

Policy

Why Obama Won't Talk About Islamic Terrorism

The refusal to acknowledge the aims of Islamic terrorism is central to the Obama administration’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

Policy

The Debate About ISIS War Powers Means Trouble for Rand Paul

The Republican senator is national security outlier in his party, and that could come back to haunt him in 2016.​

Policy

McConnell: 'Up to House' To Fund Homeland Security

Only 16 days remain before funding for the department expires, and Congress remains more gridlocked than ever on the issue.

Policy

What Would the Obama of 2007 Say About His War Powers Request?

Eight years ago, President Obama campaigned on a pledge to limit the use of military force. He now finds himself asking Congress for the authority to wage war.

Policy

Obama’s ISIS War Powers Request Has Few Limits on Who, Where, How

President Obama’s requested authorization for the use of force against ISIS has few limits on how, where, and whom the fight is against.

Policy

Ash Carter Sails Through Senate Armed Services Committee

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted unanimously to send on Ash Carter’s nomination for a full vote. Lawmakers want him in the Pentagon by week’s end.