Ideas
The Return of Coercive Diplomacy
It is said "the power to hurt is bargaining power." But can the lesson of Obama and Syria be felt in North Korea and Iran? By Sam Brannen
Ideas
Syrian Caves a Window Onto the Conflict
It takes a village, like Maaloula, to understand the complexities of Syria’s conflict, and the challenges it will face to recover and rebuild. By Tara Sonenshine
Policy
House Intel Chair Wants Arab Troops To Secure Chemical Weapons
Obama's threat of war is working, says House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., but securing chemical weapons will need Arab League boots on the ground. By Sara Sorcher
Threats
America at a Crossroads – Able to Lead, or Gulliver in Lilliput?
We cannot pretend away what we have seen in Syria. Will we let Obama use the commander-in-chiefs tools or become Gulliver in Lilliput? By Michael Breen, Rachel Kleinfeld and Doug Wilson
Ideas
Obama's Wrong, Syria's Chemical Weapons Require Boots on the Ground
There's no way around it. Securing chemical weapons amid a civil war requires troops. By Joshua Foust
Policy
Putin Has the Upper Hand on Syria
Russia's president has the trump card in this geopolitical game, and the situation could not be any riskier for Obama. By Major Garrett
Policy
HASC Takes on Syria – But Does Anyone Care?
The House Armed Services Committee finally got its chance to debate military action in Syria on Tuesday. But does the committee really have any influence over Congress’ vote? By Stephanie Gaskell
Science & Tech
Meet the Encryption Aficionados Who Know How to Hide From the NSA's Watching Eye
Privacy advocates are using 'cryptoparties' to train computer users to better guard their data against surveillance. By Greg Thomas
Threats
Hagel Dodged the Kerry Question Two Weeks Ago
What a difference a dodge makes. Hagel avoided the trap Kerry walked into, refusing to give Syria a say in U.S. decision making. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Obama: Securing Syria's Chemical Weapons Could Avert a Strike
Russia offers to broker a deal to put Syria's chemical weapons 'under international control.' By Marina Koren and Brian Resnick
Ideas
Testing the Waters for Normalizing U.S.-Iran Relations
With a newly elected president in Iran, now is the time to use maritime cooperation to try to lessen tensions between Iran and the United States. By Kevin Cosgriff and Ellen Laipson
Threats
From Missile Strikes to Mission Creep
A quick military strike in Syria would inevitably drag Obama into the broader and messier goal of regime change in Damascus. By Dominic Tierney
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.
Ideas
‘War’ By Any Other Name Is the Plan
A war by any other name doesn’t matter. A strike on Syria is exactly what U.S. military is built to do and the Pentagon expects to do more of it. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
How Can Today’s Navy ‘Learn on the Run’?
Unrelenting U.S. Navy deployments and maintenance cycles shouldn’t get in the way of planning for the future. By Thomas Hone and Robert Holzer
Threats
Defense One Guidebook: Who’s Who in Syria’s Opposition
A primer on Syrian rebel factions, their aims, and their history. By Defense One Staff
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