Ideas

Why Tommy Franks Isn’t Talking About Iraq

The former CENTCOM commander is staying on the sidelines when it comes to the worsening situation in Iraq. By Daniel Libit

Threats

These Are the Iraqi Communities That Fear ISIL the Most

As the Islamic State gains more ground in Iraq, several minority communities are terrified of genocide. By Bobby Ghosh

Policy

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Target the Senate

Three Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are hoping to be the first candidates elected to the upper chamber. By Zach C. Cohen

Threats

Inside the U.S. Push to Keep Kurdish Oil Under Baghdad's Watch

American diplomatic muscle has kept 1 million barrels of Kurdistan's oil stuck at sea. But will it last? By Steve LeVine

Threats

ISIL Is Now a ‘Full Blown Army’ in Iraq

House lawmakers grilled State and Pentagon officials to find out why the Obama administration has failed to stop ISIL from carving up Iraq and Syria. By Ben Watson

Threats

ISIL Is Winning the Battle Against Al-Qaeda for Young Terrorist Recruits

ISIL is quickly picking up new supporters by using social media to showcase its territorial gains across Iraq and Syria. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Surge in Western Fighters to Iraq and Syria Continues to Grow

The number of foreign fighters flocking to the battlefields of Syria and Iraq have increased by a third since February, and looks poised to keep growing. By Global Security Newswire

Ideas

You Can’t Fight Terrorists By Partnering With Guys Like Maliki

The U.S. needs to choose better counterterrorism partners than the likes of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. By Michael J. Quigley

Science & Tech

Could a Brain Scan Protect U.S. Troops from Insider Attacks?

U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan often don’t know who to trust. Brain scans to the rescue? By Patrick Tucker

Policy

What Would Reagan Do In Iraq?

Rand Paul and Rick Perry each claim to be the Gipper’s heir in the Middle East. Who's right? By Peter Beinart

Ideas

The One Thing the U.S. Can't Train the Iraqi Army To Do

The U.S. has trained the Iraqi military for years. But there’s one thing you can’t teach an army to do. By Lt. Gen. Robert Gard

Ideas

A Chance to Drive a Wedge Between Jihadists and Sunnis

ISIL’s overreach into Iraq is Washington’s opportunity to shift Sunni allegiances for good. By Dave Miller

Threats

ISIL Is Taking Iraq's Black Gold to the Black Market

The narrative of a ruthlessly managed, financially savvy rebel group just got a new chapter. By Steve LeVine

Threats

Hagel Declares ISIL Clear and 'Imminent Threat’ To U.S.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warns Americans – and skeptical lawmakers – that the extremists carving up Iraq and Syria threaten ‘every stabilized country on Earth.’ By Ben Watson

Ideas

NATO Must Stop ISIL Before It’s Too Late

NATO’s road to Iraq runs through Turkey, then Washington—if the alliance really wants to bring an end to ISIL. By Philip Seib

Threats

Former Bush Advisers Push Old Candidate Chalabi for New Iraq

Bush insiders think the man who gave U.S. officials false intelligence on Iraq more than a decade ago just might be the man to bring order to the political instability that plagues the country now. By Clara Ritger

Ideas

‘You Have to Kill Them’ Says Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq

America can ‘twiddle our thumbs’ no longer, say former U.S. ambassadors in the region. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

Dempsey Says Iraq Can’t Beat ISIL, Won’t Rule Out More U.S. Troops

Don’t call it ‘mission creep’ in Iraq, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dempsey says, call it ‘mission match.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Why the U.N. Is Likely Underestimating the Iraq Death Toll

Before we can prevent deaths in Iraq, we first have to learn to count them correctly. By Patrick Tucker

Threats

The Rise and Fall of Our Man in Baghdad

How Washington made Nouri al-Maliki, then lost control of it's Middle East strongman. By David Rohde, Warren Strobel, Missy Ryan and Ned Parker