Policy
Afghans Will Learn Who Their New President Is, Probably, In Two Weeks
Former finance minister Ashraf Ghani looks to be leading, but 30 million Afghans will have to wait at least two weeks to learn who succeeds President Hamid Karzai. By Ben Watson
Policy
$50 Billion Price Tag Holds Up Congressional VA Reform
A joint House and Senate conference committee has its work cut out for it trying to trim the costs associated with getting veterans more timely care. By Stacy Kaper
Policy
How Rand Paul Is Trying to Win Over the Right on Foreign Policy
The Kentucky Republican's policies toward Israel may not have changed much. But his rhetoric has. By Emma Roller
Policy
Japan's New 'Collective Self-Defense' Shakes Up Pacific
Just days after Pyongyang tested allegedly 'new' missiles, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet cleared the way for Japan to come to its allies' aid in the event of an attack. By Global Security Newsire
Threats
Obama Sends Another 300 U.S. Troops to Iraq
Increasingly worried about the unraveling security situation in Iraq, President Obama puts more boots on the ground. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
What Stands in the Way of an Independent Kurdistan?
Iraq's northeastern Kurdish region is anxious to assert its independence and protect key cities while provinces around it descend into sectarian chaos. But Kurdish leaders may be trying to do too much too soon. By Steven A. Cook
Policy
Senate Politics Leave 28 Countries With No U.S. Ambassador
Nominations for U.S. ambassadors are gathering dust as partisan posturing holds up their Senate confirmation. Never mind that the world’s on fire. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
With 28 Days Left, What Can Congress Do?
Congress is heading out of town for the Fourth of July with less than a month of work left before November's elections. But don’t expect immediate action on crucial national security legislation. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Iraq Is the First Major Test of Obama's Revamped Foreign Policy
Obama's May speech at the National Defense University updated the world on America's post-9/11 battle space. The recent crisis in Iraq is putting those words to the test. By Major Garrett
Policy
Important But Not Worth It, Americans All Over the Map on Iraq
Poll finds Americans don't like Obama's approach in Iraq, but don't know what else to do either. By Matt Berman
Policy
The One Thing Holding Back Congress From Fixing the VA
Everyone wants to fix the Veterans Affairs Department - but how to pay for it? By Stacy Kaper
Threats
More Than 1,000 Iraqis Killed in Past Two Weeks Alone
As Beltway pols watch Tuesday’s U.S. primaries, Secretary Kerry is in Iraq where politics actually are deadly. Molly O’Toole
Policy
Feinstein Fumes After Another White House National Security Snub
Senate Intel Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein has had it with White House secrecy -- until next time. By Michael Catalini and Elahe Izadi
Policy
Rand Paul’s Iraq Plan: More Obama, Less Cheney
Rand Paul’s noninterventionism toward Iraq may be the Republicans' best chance to retake security supremacy -- and the White House. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Iraq Was the Last Thing Obama Needed
Team Obama's next generation worldview -- and national security policy -- have missed time and again. By James Oliphant
Policy
The GOP Thinks Obama Learned His Lesson On Benghazi
After Benghazi, Republicans are happy to see the president beef up embassy security in Iraq. By Sarah Mimms
Threats
Obama Outlines Limited Military Help for Iraq
President Obama is sending more U.S. troops to Iraq to fight back ISIL – but that’s just a Band-Aid to the country’s larger problems. By Molly O’Toole and Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Obama's Watch-and-Wait Iraq Approach Is Working With Congressional Leaders
The president said he won't need Senate and House authority to act on the Iraq crisis, a pill that's easier for Congressional leaders to swallow provided Obama keeps them informed along the way. By Elahe Izadi
Policy
There’s Little the U.S. Could Have Done for Iraq, Hagel and Dempsey Say
Despite pleas for action, military leaders say more intelligence is needed for the president to intervene in Iraq. By Kevin Baron and Molly O’Toole
Policy