Threats
Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'
President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Why the Islamic State Is Mostly a Network of Roads
To say that ISIL controls territory stretching from Aleppo to Falluja and up to Mosul is not to say that it controls all of that territory equally. By Kathy Gilsinan
Threats
The Cease-Fire in Gaza By the Numbers
In the wake of the latest Gaza cease-fire agreement, here's a quick rundown on the damage and duration of Israeli-Hamas fighting this Summer. By Tim Fernholz
Threats
The Terrible Idea of Partnering With Syria's Assad
Why the U.S. teaming up with the Syrian dictator is both an interesting thought experiment and a terrible idea. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Mother of Kidnapped Journalist Sotloff Pleads to Baghdadi for Son’s Life
As the fate of kidnapped Americans complicates the U.S. fight against the Islamic State, Shirley Sotloff tells its leader her son is an innocent. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Here's One American-Russian 24-Point Plan to Solve Ukraine
A group of Americans and Russians met in Finland and developed a 24-point agenda for peace in Ukraine. That's right: a 24-point plan. Think it'll work? By Uri Friedman
Threats
Why the Bombing of Tripoli Is a Game-Changer
For Washington, airstrikes by Egyptian and U.A.E. jets on Tripoli fighters signal a promising turn for regional players coordinating their own security. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
Republicans Recycle ‘Containment’ Line for Obama’s Iraq Strategy
Republicans once again hit Obama for ‘containment’ – painting the president as weak for not doing more to attack the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
The Problem With Bombing the Islamic State in Syria
For all the problems with intervening militarily in Iraq, every one of them pale next to the problems of doing so in Syria. By Peter Beinart
Threats
Fort Lee Incident Now the Third Active Shooting This Year on U.S. Military Bases
The shooting incident at Fort Lee, Va., marked the third active shooter this year on a U.S. military base, and turns the spotlight back briefly on military suicides. By Ben Watson
Science & Tech
The Islamic State's Own Photos Were Just Used to Find One of Its Training Camps
A British journalist teamed up with analysts and reporters to determine exactly where Islamic State fighters train near the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq. By Kabir Chibber
Policy
Obama, Iraq and the Coming War Powers Fight With Congress
To keep the U.S. fighting in Iraq, President Obama is quietly reconsidering the very Bush-era authorities he condemned. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Airstrikes Not Enough to Defeat ISIL, Hagel Says
Defense Secretary Hagel said the U.S. would continue to attack the Islamic State and keep all options open, but the Pentagon is looking for greater regional support and nonmilitary means. By Kevin Baron
Ideas
John Allen: Destroy the Islamic State Now
What we’re facing in northern Iraq is only partly a crisis about Iraq. It is about the region and potentially the world as we know it.
Policy
How the U.S. and Europe Failed James Foley
The different U.S. and European approaches to abductions reflect a particularly grim fact confronting American citizens abroad. By David Rohde
Threats
Why America Should Declare War on the Islamic State
Obama's response to the terrorists of the Islamic State has been reactive and piecemeal so far. That must change. By James Kitfield
Threats
Top Six Strategic Threats to Worry About in Today's Global Headlines
Forget the Cold War, in the new era of strategic deterrence how do you solve a problem like non-state extremists, nuclear neophytes and attacks in space? By Elaine M. Grossman
Threats
U.S. Military Tried to Rescue Foley; Obama Defies Threats With New Iraq Airstrikes
Obama defies the Islamic State's threats to kill more journalists as U.S. hit Iraq with more airstrikes and possibly 300 more troops. By Ben Watson
Threats
When Fleeing War Is Illegal
Palestinians escaping Syria are being turned away by neighboring states, much like Iraq's Palestinians shortly after 2003. But relief today doesn't look like it did then. By Alice Su
Threats