Policy

Iran Agreement's Unsettled Timetable Adds to Tensions in Congress

Many lawmakers want to hold Iran accountable, but are clashing with the Obama administration on policy. By Stacy Kaper and Elahe Izadi

Ideas

The Quiet Americans

John Kerry and Chuck Hagel want their legacies in office to be associated with the foreign policy giants of another era. They must first look back and learn from their predecessors. By Kenneth Weisbrode

Business

How Ash Carter Oversold DOD’s Savings Record and His Role

Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter is right to dismiss sequestration, but don’t buy his ‘Better Buying Power’ defense. Carter was on the watch. By Lawrence J. Korb

Threats

U.S.: Russia Repeatedly Cheating on Nuclear Missile Treaty

Moscow has repeatedly violated a 1987 agreement to eliminate medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles, according to senior administration officials. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

Obama Presses Congress to Delay New Iran Sanctions

The administration's push comes as the Senate prepares legislation that would ratchet up pressure on Tehran. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

Why Saudi Arabia Doesn't Trust the Iran Deal, Either

Even though Western powers are steadfastly pursuing a diplomatic option, the reality is that no one in Riyadh trusts Tehran's intentions. By Simon Henderson

Policy

Not All Israelis Are Furious About the Iran Nuclear Deal

Prominent figures, including President Shimon Peres, have voiced support for the diplomatic breakthrough. By Jordan Gerstler-Holton

Ideas

A Return to Stoning Won’t Help the Effort to Rebrand Afghanistan

Ryan Crocker, Peter Bergen, Steve Coll and other key national security figures are banding together to keep hope alive for Afghanistan's finale. Karzai isn't helping. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Ideas

Pipe Dream: Israel-Turkey ‘Peace Pipeline’ Unlikely to Thaw Relations

An undersea natural gas pipeline and all of its riches sounds like a good way to thaw Israeli-Turkish relations -- but it won’t. By Allison Good

Ideas

The Deal is for Real

No president since Jimmy Carter has been able to make a deal with Iran. Barack Obama just did. By Joe Cirincione

Threats

Done Deal: Iran to Suspend Nuclear Program, Roll Back Weaponization

In a stunning agreement with Western powers, Iran will virtually halt its nuclear program for six months. By Kevin Baron

Business

Pentagon Outlines Stronger Military Presence in the Arctic

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon’s new Arctic Strategy will significantly increase U.S. military resources and attention to the polar region. By Kevin Baron

Threats

USAID Issues Holiday Plea: Donate Cash for Philippines, as Military Withdraws

As the U.S. military mission shrinks and winter sets in, the head of USAID is urging Americans to donate money to typhoon victims in the Philippines. By Kevin Baron

Policy

USAID: Aid Groups Also Stuck Waiting for Afghan Troop Agreement

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah says the global aid community that’s so tied to the U.S. military also is eyeing the loya jirga. By Kevin Baron

Threats

Just the Beginning: Afghanistan Troop Deal Prelude to Another Half Decade of War

This is not the end. After the security agreement, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan’s conflict is far from over. By Anthony H. Cordesman

Threats

Hagel Warns Afghanistan: Sign Troop Pact Now or Post-War Plans Halt

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says if a troop deal isn’t signed by the end of the year, the Pentagon will have to put its post-2014 planning on hold. By Kevin Baron

Policy

Despite Ongoing Talks, Reid Plans Iran Sanction Vote Next Month

While negotiations continue in Geneva, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will hold a vote on tightening Iran sanctions after the Thanksgiving recess. By Jordain Carney

Business

How John Kerry Could End Up Outdoing Hillary Clinton

Critics say he's pompous and reckless—but his relentlessness may end up making him the most consequential secretary of state in years. By David Rohde

Policy

Karzai: No U.S. Troop Deal Before April Elections

After reaching an agreement to keep U.S. troops past 2014, Afghan President Hamid Karzai now wants to wait until April’s presidential election to sign it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

U.S., Afghanistan Negotiators Reach a Deal on Post-2014 Security Agreement

The U.S. and Afghanistan have agreed on a deal to keep coalition troops past 2014. Now comes the hard part -- a group of Afghan elders must approve it. By Defense One Staff