Policy
The Biggest Bills for the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Are Yet to Come
Benefits for World War I veterans didn’t peak until 1969. Here’s a way to keep 21st-century vets’ expenses from eating the U.S. budget.
Ideas
The Longest War Fades Even at NATO
Cameras focused on Trump, but war commanders in Afghanistan wanted more troops from NATO, not promises.
Threats
NATO Laying Groundwork to Send More Troops To Iraq, Afghanistan
The bump could come with more alliance responsibility for fighting ISIS in Iraq.
Ideas
Trump’s Afghanistan Reset Needs a Soft-Power Mission, Too
Reconciliation and peace-building can only occur if there is an open dialogue and people are working towards a shared, communal interest.
Threats
ISIS-in-Afghanistan Is Losing Recruits to Other Groups, US Officials Say
SecDef Mattis says he’s made no decision on adding troops, but warns of a confrontation if Russia continues to arm the Taliban.
Threats
Afghanistan Needs ‘Thousands’ More Troops, US General Says
The commander of U.S. forces there lays the first major war decision on Donald Trump’s desk.
Ideas
Trump Inherits ‘The Good War’
Many Afghans desire a fresh U.S. approach. All must wait to see what policy emerges from the New York businessman’s scattered thoughts.
Ideas
Want to Hurt the Taliban? Legalize Opium in Afghanistan
Economics explains how anti-drug operations have undermined the war on terror.
Business
White House: $11.6B More Needed for ISIS Fight, Afghanistan
The request brings the expected 2017 price tag for both wars to $85.3 billion.
Threats
Pakistan to Obama: Kashmir Will Hurt Our Ability to Help Fight the Taliban
Pakistan wants President Obama’s help in the Kashmir conflict with India, Pakistan’s senate defense chairman will tell the National Security Council on Friday.
Ideas
In Colombia's Hope, Afghanistan's Future
Donors meeting in Brussels should remember Colombia in the 1990s looked a lot like Afghanistan today.
Ideas
Afghanistan: It’s Only Getting Worse
Is pouring billions more dollars into the country and keeping thousands of U.S. troops there the best way to keep us safe?
Ideas
Gold Star Families Deserve Better Than One News Cycle
Hashtag sympathy must be matched by real-world caring.
Ideas
Obama Asked the Military For A Plan to Protect Civilians. Here’s One.
We learned through experience the importance of preventing civilian casualties in today’s wars.
Threats
Obama Scraps Planned U.S. Troop Drawdown in Afghanistan
President Obama announced 8,400 Americans will remain into the next administration and again called on the Taliban for an elusive peace.
Ideas
‘Open Letter’ to Obama on Afghanistan Omits Key Questions
Staying the course won’t work if we don’t know where we’re going.
Ideas
Afghanistan Needs a Settlement, Not Another Troop-Withdrawal Deadline
The U.S. objective in Afghanistan is not to leave; it is to end the war on terms Americans and Afghans can live with.
Ideas
The Latest Taliban Leader’s Death Changes What, Exactly?
Ask three people what they make of Mullah Mansoor’s death by drone and you’ll get three answers, none offering a swift end to the war.
Threats
The Drone War Crosses Another Line
America took an unprecedented step over the weekend when Obama authorized the Pentagon rather than the CIA to carry out an airstrike inside Pakistan.
Science & Tech