Ideas

The Hell After ISIS

Even as the militant group loses ground in Iraq, many Sunnis say they have no hope for peace. One family’s story shows why.

Science & Tech

A Nuclear-Armed ISIS? It's Not That Farfetched, Expert Says

A Harvard researcher says the terror group might be closer to wreaking some sort of radioactive havoc than we think.

Threats

Citing ‘Momentum Shift,’ Pentagon Wants to Deploy More Troops to Iraq

ISIS is on their heels in Iraq and Syria, say U.S. military leaders who plan to ask the White House for more forces.

Ideas

The Changing Logic Behind Suicide Bombings

What was once purely a strategic action has become a tactical move meant to help hold territory.

Ideas

ISIS Is Using the Media Against Itself

It doesn’t matter if the coverage that follows an attack is negative. For ISIS, any coverage is good coverage.

Threats

The Battle for Mosul Has Begun

ISIS is under air, ground, and cyber attack as Iraqi and coalition troops encircle the group’s final stronghold in Iraq, the Joint Chiefs chairman says.

Policy

Trump is Wrong, ISIS Doesn't Want Rome

Trump's claim that Rome is 'ISIS’s ultimate trophy' deserves correction, just in case he thinks it’s true.

Science & Tech

Twitter Suspensions Are Muting Islamic State Messaging

Researchers found that suspending ISIS sympathizers' accounts reduced both the size of their networks and the pace of their activity,

Ideas

A Unifying Theory—and Plan—for Defeating ISIS Propaganda

Twitter suspensions are not nearly enough.

Ideas

Dispatch from the Turkish Border: Syrians Waiting in Vain for the World

‘People are waiting for the international community to stop this war.’

Ideas

Meet the Guerrilla Fighters of Kurdistan

While the fight against the Islamic State has been devastating for Kurdish communities, many guerrillas convey an optimistic message: When the war ends, the Kurds could finally have an independent state.

Threats

ISIS Fighters Have Entered Germany Disguised as Refugees, Berlin's Top Spy Says

That just one day after police arrested three Algerians with suspected ties to the Islamic State who were reportedly planning an attack on the German capital.

Ideas

The Rise of ISIS in Southeast Asia

Much of the region has witnessed a democratic regression that's fueling the spread of violent extremism.

Threats

Carpet-Bombing Is Not How You Defeat ISIS, Pentagon Says

Top ISIS war commander dismisses Ted Cruz’s idea, says there’s nothing to gain from an indiscriminate, scorched-earth method of fighting the Islamic State.

Ideas

The Americans Who Volunteer to Fight ISIS

'A lot of people come over here thinking they’re going to be Rambo. It’s not like that.'

Policy

What Happened When Ash Carter Crashed Davos

The defense secretary's legacy may have been forged in the Alps, connecting economic elites to the Pentagon — and the war on terrorism.

Science & Tech

Refugee or Terrorist? IBM Thinks Its Software Has the Answer

A new tool to turn unstructured data into actionable intelligence could change the way law enforcement fights terrorism, and challenge the data-collection debate.

Ideas

How ISIS Appeals to Converts — and Ex-Criminals

Understanding both sides is key to figuring out how to slow recruitment.

Policy

Senate Leader Surprises Lawmakers with New ISIS War Powers Request

Neither Republicans nor Democrats knew the majority leader planned to set up a debate on authorizing the use of force against the Islamic State.

Threats

ISIS Has Reportedly Cut Its Fighters' Salaries in Half

An ostensible ISIS treasury memo shows an organization under increasing financial pressure as coalition warplanes ramp up attacks on their oil infrastructure.