Policy

Iran Nuclear Talks Threatened by Politics at Home and Proxy War Abroad

Tuesday’s deadline for a political outline in the Iran talks is quickly approaching, but even if a deal is reached, it won’t necessarily give the White House the breathing room it needs.

Policy

The Nuclear Future of US-South Korean Relations

South Korea and the US are close to finalizing a new nuclear agreement that could be a boon to Korea’s energy security and the future of its nuclear program.

Policy

Boko Haram and Hackers Couldn't Stop the Nigerian Election

Millions of Nigerians ignored threats of violence and endured long waits at some faulty polling stations as voting for their new president extended through Sunday.

Policy

Lawmaker Wants All VA Bonuses Halted Until Colorado Project Is Completed

A new bill from Colorado's Rep. Mike Coffman would halt all bonuses across the Veterans Affairs Deparment until a long-delayed, nearly $2 billion hospital is up and running.

Policy

Why Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei Wants a Nuclear Deal

While Ayatollah Khamenei is skeptical of negotiating with the U.S., he knows well the value of a potential agreement with the Washington and the West.

Policy

Defense Trumps Domestic Programs as House Passes GOP Budget

After months of chaos, the GOP got the ball rolling on a budget that still faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Policy

War? What War? Afghan President Draws Far Less Interest From Lawmakers Than Netanyahu Did

Despite thousands of lives lost in Afghanistan, billions of dollars spent and now, a halt to the U.S. withdrawal, Ashraf Ghani’s address makes barely a ripple in Congress relative to the Israeli prime minister.

Policy

Better VA Accountability Won't Send Employees Running, Lawmaker Says

The Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said his new bill to crack down on senior VA executive misconduct won't cause an exodus of talent.

Policy

The Provision That Could Destroy the Sequester

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael Enzi added a small provision into the Senate GOP budget designed to provide the flexibility to alter budget caps again.

Policy

The Glowing Optimism of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Ashraf Ghani praised U.S. support in his speech before Congress and promised to accelerate his country's move toward self-reliance.

Policy

New Legislation Seeks To Keep Hackers, NSA at Bay

While the legislation seeks to promote information sharing, lawmakers will need to assuage privacy concerns.

Policy

A Nuclear Deal Won't Help Iran's Reformers

Despite what many liberal Iranians think, it could spur the regime to put hardliners in power instead.

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.