Ideas
Arab Women in Syria, Inspired by Kurdish Sisters, Join the Fight — and the Movement
"There is no difference between us and them, we are both women. What is really important now is women are having a role."
Policy
Trump Touts Increased NATO Spending, But That Sort of Misses the Point, Experts Say
Experts say that the conversation’s been too focused on how much allies are putting toward defense, not on what they get for it.
Policy
After the Iran Deal, Here’s What the US Military Is Worried About Next
Keep your eyes on Iranian ballistic missiles showing up in Yemen.
Policy
US Air Force: Recent String of Crashes Isn’t a Crisis
But it will stand down every flying wing for one day to look for trends in the mishaps that claimed the lives of 18 airmen.
Policy
A Law Meant to Punish America’s Foes Is Hurting Its Partners: Mattis
The secretary asked senators to punch a hole in the sanctions law they passed last year.
Policy
Macron Mic-Drops on Trump, Offers a New Call to Western Leadership
Defending multilateralism and democracy, the French president gave the best political speech America has seen in years.
Policy
The Politics of Hating (And Loving) France
From freedom fries to fast friends, after the Macron visit will Republicans who choose to stand with Trump continue to stand with France? The war on terrorism may depend on it.
Policy
House Lawmakers Close Pentagon Budget Hearing to the Public
Mattis and Dunford have open hearings at the Armed Services Committees, but will talk over their $686.1 billion request with House appropriators in private.
Threats
If Trump Won't Lead in Syria, Someone Else Will
Unless the president can articulate and lead a plan, Syria’s future will be determined by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
Policy
A Day of Whiplash in the US’s Syria Policy
At simultaneous live events, the president and military leaders offered conflicting views about America’s involvement.
Policy
Could Trump Actually Use Military Funding for His Border Wall?
The president would have to overcome legal and Congressional obstacles to use Department of Defense resources on construction.
Policy
Top Marine General: ‘I’ve Never Told a Marine They Could or Couldn’t Speak’ to the Press
While one service cracks down on media engagement, the Corps’ top officer strikes a different tone.
Policy
Trump's 'Very Soon' Withdrawal From Syria Is Exactly What Many Troops Feared
What the president said is exactly what some special operations forces worried would happen — under President Hillary Clinton.
Policy
Where’s the New Transgender Troops Ban Headed? Look at the Travel Ban Fight
Like Trump’s effort to bar visitors from several Mideast countries, a long legal battle awaits the newest limits on who can serve in uniform.
Policy
F-35 Sale to Taiwan Not Worth the ‘Risk,’ Experts Warn
As the Trump administration takes an aggressive stance on China, senators push an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deal with Taiwan.
Policy
How John Bolton Views US Allies and Adversaries
His 2007 memoir lays out the incoming national-security adviser’s worldview.
Policy
Trump Backs Off Budget Veto in Odd White House Event Laden with Misstatements
The mischaracterization of the 2018 defense budget as the biggest ever was just the start.
Ideas
John Bolton Will Not End Well
Wait until Trump starts working with this swamp veteran with bad press and Pentagon push-back who likes to name-drop Edmund Burke.
Policy
What John Bolton's Appointment as National Security Adviser Means
Until today, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster was considered Trump's most militant adviser on North Korea.
Policy