Policy

Democrats Break Ranks to Urge Military Assistance to Ukraine, Talks With Putin

Obama is off to the NATO summit amid increasing calls from his party for more direct action in Ukraine. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

The Summer of Obama's Caution and America's Discontent

Americans don't seem to like a hawkish president, but they definitely don't like a weak one, either. By Ron Fournier

Policy

Obama to Push NATO's Renewed Purpose

There's been lots of bluster about Putin's destabilizing work in eastern Ukraine. But will the alliance really stand up in the name of Baltic security? By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Why Russia Loves a 'Frozen Conflict'

What's happening in Ukraine has happened before in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The rest of the world just wasn't paying attention. By Brian Whitmore

Policy

Behind Obama's Hesitation on Syria

Obama's caution reflects both the lawyer that he is and a deliberate turn away from his predecessor, who often neglected to weigh all the consequences of his decisions. By George F. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Is There a Plan to Attack in Syria or Not?

White House and Pentagon spokesmen spent Friday explaining that the president and the Joint Chiefs have some plans to strike in Syria, but there is no plan. By Kevin Baron

Policy

Why Sen. Feinstein Wants the CIA Torture Report Delayed

Hint: it has do with the agency's beloved black highlighter. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Government Shutdown Whispers Begin Again

The same Republican faction that brought last year's furloughs and closings may be ready to have at it again. By Molly Ball

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