Policy
Obama's Last Chance to Convince Congress to Strike Syria
Having lawmakers back in Washington--and away from irate constituents--may be the way that Obama convinces them to shift their positions on Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Policy
Why Isolationism Is Back in America
The United States' mixed record on military interventions, coupled with an inherent skepticism of foreign involvement, has cooled any appetite towards a strike in Syria. By Ronald Brownstein
Threats
Is Obama Making it Harder to Take on Iran?
The administration's decision to go through Congress could be setting a difficult precedent -- especially if tensions with Tehran heat up in the future. By George E. Condon Jr.
Policy
Why Going to Congress For a Vote on Strikes in Syria Was a Major Risk
The debate over action in Syria comes as Congress is already swamped over the debates on fiscal policy, the debt ceiling, and other major federal government initiatives. By Norm Ornstein
Policy
The Syria Vote is Confounding Members of Congress
Faced by an election next year, a presidential election in 3 years, and an electorate exhausted by the war, members of Congress are reluctant to support a new military operation in Syria. By Beth Reinhard
Business
How the NSA Can Restore Public Trust
A special prosecutor would have free rein to go through the NSA's files and discover the full extent of what the agency is doing. By Bruce Schneier
Policy
How Syria Gives Rand Paul a Political Advantage Over Marco Rubio
The Senator from Kentucky has long had a non-interventionist stance on foreign policy matters, but the timing of a possible intervention in Syria may boost his national profile even further. By Beth Reinhard
Policy
Hagel the Grunt, McCain the Pilot, and Vietnam’s Effect on Syria
Vietnam combat veterans faced off in Congress over Syria on Tuesday, but when it comes to war, the difference between Hagel and McCain is about 30,000 feet. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Does Assad Win No Matter What the U.S. Does in Syria?
Secretary of State John Kerry admits that Bashar al Assad will ‘weather’ a limited U.S. strike against Syria for using chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Qatar's New Leader is Quietly Supporting U.S. Strikes in Syria
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has been working--albeit quietly--towards mitigating the threat posed by regional power, Iran. By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Jonathan Schanzer.
Policy
'Mass Chaos': Diplomats Warned Obama Syria Was Inevitable
For months, diplomats told the White House to get involved in Syria, or pay a greater price down the road. Well, here we are. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Syrian Rebel Commander Idris Prepared to Testify to Congress
Supporters say they may bring Syria’s rebels leaders from the front lines to the witness tables of Capitol Hill, should Congress balk. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Can Obama Change His Mind on Syria?
The presidency has always been one where decisive action and leadership has been admired. So how should the administration's stuttering Syria policy be judged? By Charlie Cook
Policy
Will Obama Resort to Appeasement in Syria?
Failure to receive approval from the legislature will only harken back to an era where dictators and despots were given free reign to terrorize. By Michael Hirsh
Business
Obama Wants to Give Troops, Civilians a 1 Percent Pay Raise in 2014
President Obama issued an alternative federal pay plan late Friday that gives troops a 1 percent pay increase in 2014. By Tom Shoop
Threats
How Will Obama Keep Syria from Turning into Another Iraq?
White House promises of limited American action in Syria have so far failed to ease public concern. By David Rohde
Policy
Post-Iraq Invasion Congress Members Demand a Vote on Syria
It's the members who joined Congress after the 2003 invasion of Iraq who are being the most vocal on demanding for a vote before any U.S. military action in Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Policy
War with Syria: The Intersection of Interests and Ideology
In the realm of foreign affairs, it’s rare that a cause unites hawkish interventionists and neoconservatives, realists and liberal internationalists. By James Kitfield
Business
Revealed: What U.S. Spy Agencies Spend Their Money On
Newly leaked documents, given to The Washington Post by NSA leaker Edward Snowden, show how U.S. spy agencies spend their $56 billion dollar budget. By Dashiell Bennett
Ideas