Policy
How Egypt Helps Assad
The U.S. is reluctant to get involved in Egypt - and Syrian President Bashir Assad knows it. By Michael Hirsh
Threats
With or Without U.S. Intervention, Syria Will Become Iraq
Old line in Washington: Syria will be another Iraq if the U.S. military gets involved. New line: Syria will become another Iraq if they don’t. By Kevin Baron
Science & Tech
The NSA May Have Access to 75 Percent of Domestic Internet Traffic
New revelations indicate that the agency's domestic surveillance capacity is much broader, and older, than what was previously reported. By Abby Ohlheiser.
Threats
A Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria May Have Killed Hundreds
Specific details about the incident are currently unknown, but the attack could be one of the war's deadliest to date. By Dashiell Bennett
Ideas
Once an Iraqi Interpreter, Now an American Soldier
The American dream -- and the fear of post-war Baghdad -- has led tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees to the U.S. For one former interpreter to the U.S. military, the only way to stay was to join up.
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
Ideas
Just 75 Al Qaeda, Room for the Taliban and Organized Crime. Is This How It Ends in Afghanistan?
The enemy in Afghanistan is “a complex mosaic” and "may continue this fight for many, many years.” By Stephanie Gaskell
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
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
Ideas
What the NSA’s Massive Org Chart (Probably) Looks Like
Amid public cries for greater transparency into the intelligence world, here’s a look at the National Security Agency’s organizational chart -- as far as we know it. By Marc Ambinder
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
Forget the Second Carrier, It's Time to Rethink the Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf
It’s not the size of the fleet, it’s how you use it, and PC ships are smaller, more agile and better for Mideast allies. By Bilal Y. Saab and Joseph Singh
Ideas
The Filmmaker Behind the Edward Snowden Leaks
A new <em>New York Times</em> magazine profile describes how far Laura Poitras has gone to protect her privacy, while also reporting on the government's surveillance programs. By Philip Bump
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
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
Threats
U.S. Pulls Staff from Consulate in Pakistan
Following the closing of nearly more than a dozen embassies, the U.S. pulls non-emergency staff from a consulate in Pakistan. By Defense One Staff
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