Threats

Is Obama Losing His Battle With Perpetual War?

'This war, like all wars, must end,' Obama declared in May at the National Defense University. This week, the president set aside that goal. By Uri Friedman

Threats

Not Fighting the Islamic State Could Be Worse Than Fighting It

In defense of escalating the president's campaign against the Islamic State group. By Jeffrey Goldberg

Threats

Gen. Allen To Manage Obama's Strategy Against the Islamic State

Retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen is President Obama’s point man on the mission to destroy the Islamic State. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Inviting Arab States To Fight Terrorism is Just Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Pain

Allying with governments and their militaries that populations detest is no way to curb extremism. By Sarah Chayes

Threats

How Much of a Threat to the Homeland Is the Islamic State?

Lots of things 'could' threaten the U.S. In the case of the Islamic State, does that danger justify another military campaign in the Middle East? By Peter Beinart

Threats

The Islamic State Fight Now Hinges on Arab Leaders

The Islamic State cannot be defeated without the broad support of ordinary citizens of the Middle East. On its face, this shouldn't be difficult. By Bobby Ghosh

Threats

Obama's 'Counterterrorism Campaign' Is a Declaration of War

Obama's address was a striking escalation over his past rhetoric and indicates that the war against the Islamic State group is only just beginning. By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Obama Has a Strategy for the Islamic State But He Better Have a Plan B

President Obama laid out a plan to defeat the Islamic State. But it’s hardly a shock and awe. Is there a Plan B? By Kevin Baron

Threats

The Case Against Another War in Iraq

The president's developing campaign against the Islamic State is shaking out to be more emotionally reactive than purpose-driven. By David Frum

Threats

How Russia Is Revolutionizing Information Warfare

Putin's Russia doesn’t just deal in the petty disinformation, forgeries, lies and cyber-sabotage usually associated with information warfare. It reinvents reality. By Peter Pomerantsev

Threats

Is Obama's Caution on the Islamic State Paying Off?

From a steep rise in support from the American public to an assertive Arab League and a new Baghdad government, there are some good signs in the fight against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh

Threats

Did Western Hubris Create Vladimir Putin?

Where the West saw the spread of democracy, Putin saw encroachment. Now, with hard power and bold lies, Moscow has drawn a new dividing line in the East. By James Kitfield

Ideas

What Obama Needs To Tell the American People About the Islamic State

While limited air strikes in Iraq have slowed the progress of the Islamic State, it’s clear that more must be done. By Rep. Martha Roby

Threats

Here's What Often Happens After You Kill a Terrorist Leader

With history as our guide, here's what you can reasonably expect from al-Shabab after its leader was killed last week in a U.S. airstrike last week. By Kathy Gilsinan

Policy

Don’t Expect a Pivot To Europe Anytime Soon

Once again, President Obama finds himself reassuring allies while also imploring them to do more. Is NATO listening? By Molly O’Toole

Science & Tech

Who Defends the Virtual Countries of Tomorrow?

Here’s why Estonia is the new frontline in the cyberwar of the future. By Patrick Tucker

Threats

Pentagon Confirms US Air Strike Killed Al-Shabab Leader

Monday’s U.S. air strike in Somalia killed the co-founder of the terrorist organization al-Shabab. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Pursuing the Islamic State to the Gates of Hell

America’s foreign-policy debate has turned in a way that could cause the Obama administration a great deal of trouble. By Peter Beinart

Threats

Al-Qaeda Looks to India to Resurrect Its Brand

Ayman al-Zawahiri turns his attention to a region that has rarely featured in his plans or his polemic, although he has lived there for more than two decades. By Bobby Ghosh

Policy

House Republicans Seek Their Own Strategy Against the Islamic State

Multiple GOP-led House committees will hold hearings next week aimed at drafting a plan to defeat the Islamic State group. By Daniel Newhauser