Ideas

Whispers in the Ranks that Iraq Has Turned Obama Isolationist to a Fault

Some in Obama’s diplomatic corps fear the president has “learned all the wrong things from Iraq” -- a deadly lesson for Syria’s rebels. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

Hagel Admits U.S. Influence in Egypt Is ‘Limited’

In his first public remarks about the violence in Egypt, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says “it will be their responsibility to sort this out.” By Kevin Baron

Policy

The NSA Needs a Church Committee

It's time for a new Church Committee, the mid-1970s surveillance oversight investigation named for Sen. Frank Church, and this time it should be led by Sen. Ron Wyden. By Conor Friedersdorf.

Science & Tech

Exclusive: NSA Loophole Keeps Congress Clueless on Foreign Intel Violations

The leaked audit showing the NSA broke privacy rules nearly 3,000 times in one year is just the tip of the iceberg. The NSA is not telling Congress much more. By Marc Ambinder

Business

Sexual Assault Reform or 'Slippery Slope' for Military Justice?

The all-or-nothing battle over removing sexual assault cases from command authority shouldn’t stop real reform from happening. By James Kitfield

Ideas

Brooklyn Is Not Baghdad: What Is the CIA Teaching the NYPD?

Brooklyn is not Baghdad. Congress should show more concern that the CIA is teaching NYPD an unwarranted counterinsurgency mentality. By Faiza Patel and Daniel Michelson-Horowitz

Threats

The Arab World Is on the Brink of Radicalizing

The violence in Egypt only underlines the threat faced by governments being overrun by religious extremism. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

Egypt's Military Cracks Down on Protesters

The army began breaking up protests staged by supporters of former President Mohammad Morsi. Unconfirmed reports from Cairo are suggesting a high death toll so far. By Dashiell Bennett

Ideas

Obama's Embassy Closures Just 'Free Advertising' for Al Qaeda

Obama's disjointed response to terrorism has left the U.S. in a 'defensive crouch'. Closing embassies so far from Yemen, however, was little more than 'free advertising' for Al Qaeda. By Joshua Foust

Policy

Military Sexual Assault Victims Are Closely Watching Reform Efforts

Proposed legislation to take sexual assault reporting out of the chain of command is a start, but survivors say that more needs to be done to combat the ongoing crisis. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Obama Should Scrap that Russian Helicopter Contract, Too

The U.S. government is buying arms from the same dealer that supplies Bashar Assad's regime in Syria. By Sonni Efron

Policy

With Summit’s Collapse, Now Russia is Kerry and Hagel’s Problem

As Obama and Putin 'take a pause' in their relationship, Kerry and Hagel huddle with their Russian counterparts in Washington to tackle the growing tension between the two nations. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Obama: 'We've Struck the Right Balance' on Spying

President Obama announces four major reforms to strengthen oversight of government spying programs. By Matt Berman and Brian Resnick

Policy

McCain's Foreign Policy Bromance With Obama

Fresh from a trip to Egypt on behalf of the president, Sen. John McCain compares his relationship with Obama to "a classic romantic comedy." By Abby Ohlheiser.

Policy

Iran: U.S. Is Sending Mixed Messages on Sanctions

Iran's new president says he's still open to negotiations with the Obama administration. By Golnaz Esfandiari

Policy

China Declares Russia the Winner in Snowden Showdown

The growing alliance between China and Russia is the stuff of American diplomatic nightmares. By Heather Timmons

Ideas

Overcoming Snowden: New Urgency for Friday’s U.S.-Russia Meeting

It’s no surprise Obama cancelled his September summit with Putin. Now it’s time for Chuck Hagel and John Kerry to weigh in on nuclear weapons. By Joe Cirincione

Threats

Top U.S. Marine Amos on Yemen: ‘I Don’t Know How It’s Going to Turn Out’

In an exclusive interview, Marine Corps Gen. James Amos said he is concerned Yemen is becoming 'a breeding ground' for al Qaeda -- and he doesn’t know what to expect next. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Russia Hasn't Gotten Over the Cold War

Moscow still thinks its 1989, and its showing. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

A Big New Idea for U.S.-Pakistan Relations

After a cooling off period, the Obama administration put Pakistan back on the agenda last week promising new talks. It would help if the administration came prepared with something new to discuss. By Daniel Markey