Policy
Republicans Recycle ‘Containment’ Line for Obama’s Iraq Strategy
Republicans once again hit Obama for ‘containment’ – painting the president as weak for not doing more to attack the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole
Ideas
It’s Time to Sink the Littoral Combat Ship
Things that seem too good to be true usually are, and so it is with the LCS. By Jacob Marx and William D. Hartung
Policy
Obama, Iraq and the Coming War Powers Fight With Congress
To keep the U.S. fighting in Iraq, President Obama is quietly reconsidering the very Bush-era authorities he condemned. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
How Snowden Complicates the Prevention of Future Leaks
Whether one believes Snowden's leaks to be salutary or deeply regrettable, it's useful to understand what prompted him to act as he did. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
GOP Hawks Come Out in Force Against Obama's 'Limited' Iraq Airstrikes
Senator John McCain and Texas governor Rick Perry are among the Republicans saying Obama is simply too soft on the Islamic State. By Russell Berman
Policy
Why No Democrat Wants to Run Against Hillary
Given the Clintons' reputation for retaliating for betrayals, this Democratic front-runner looks poised to remain unchallenged all the way to 2016. By Peter Beinart
Policy
How the U.S. and Europe Failed James Foley
The different U.S. and European approaches to abductions reflect a particularly grim fact confronting American citizens abroad. By David Rohde
Policy
What Isolationists? Poll Finds Americans Like Air Strikes
The latest poll from the Pew Research Center finds an American public shifting its tone on intervention, much like the 1999 strikes against Serbia once did. By James M. Lindsay
Policy
Here Are the 7 Pages That Gave President Obama Cover to Kill Americans
A newly released memo giving Obama legal cover from extrajudicial killings is alarmingly terse. By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki Agrees To Step Down
The writing was on the wall and embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki knew it. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
In Search of America's 'Organizing Principle'
Sometimes an ad-hoc foreign policy gets the best results. By Noah Gordon
Policy
How Congress and the Pentagon Helped Create America’s Militarized Police
It all goes back to an obscure section from a 1990 defense bill. By Emma Roller
Ideas
How Money Warps U.S. Foreign Policy
America's foreign policy is more elitist and insulated from public opinion than it has been in decades. And that’s a real problem for American democracy. By Peter Beinart
Threats
Mission Creep? U.S. Has Nearly 1,000 Troops in Iraq Now
The Pentagon just added nearly 130 new advisors to northern Iraq, elevating the exposure of U.S. troops to the risks of violence on Iraq’s new battleground. By Ben Watson
Policy
U.S. Signs 25-Year Military Pact with Australia
Australia will train with U.S. troops based on its northern coast for the better part of the first half of this century. By Ben Watson
Policy
7 Things You Need to Know About the Next Iraqi Prime Minister
A brief explainer on Haider al-Abidi, who was picked Monday to replace Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister of Iraq. By Kedar Pavgi
Policy
The 'It's About Oil' Theory in Iraq Is Still Inaccurate
The idea that the U.S. is only in the Middle East for oil may seem like a seductive idea -- but it's a deeply misguided one as well. By Steve LeVine
Ideas
What’s Next for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit?
Fewer and less intense wars in Africa present the U.S. with an opportunity to increase accountability for human rights violations and the rule of law. But is America up to the task? By Amelia M. Wolf
Policy
U.S. 'Failure' in Syria Led to Iraq Crisis, Clinton Says
The former Secretary of State blames President Obama’s inaction in Syria for the rise of ISIL in Iraq. By Jeffery Goldberg
Policy