Ideas
Trump’s Counter-Iran Moves Are Provocative, But They’re Not War
Truly bad messaging is undermining trust among allies and the American public — and increasing the chance of accidental escalation.
Threats
The Flash Point Between America and Iran Could Be Iraq's Militias
U.S. troops and Iran-backed fighters had an alliance of sorts in the anti-ISIS campaign. With Washington and Tehran at odds, could they turn on each other?
Ideas
How Not to Announce a Ship Deployment
A simple press conference could have avoided 36 hours of confusion and fears of war with Iran.
Ideas
In the Global Power Era, Remember the Bin Laden Raid
The Defense Department must make choices, but we cannot become complacent about the fight against terrorism.
Ideas
China’s Risky Middle East Bet
Beijing believes it can focus on economic development and avoid any role in political affairs—but that assumption will likely prove naive.
Ideas
A Warlord Rises in Libya, and Trump Is Praising Him
It's Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan general who is leading his forces against the government the U.S. still officially backs.
Ideas
Protesters in Sudan and Algeria Have Learned From the Arab Spring
The demonstrations have their own local characteristics, but there are several parallels.
Business
Pentagon’s Focus On China and Russia Expected to Alter US Arms Sales
A new report shows a decline in Middle Eastern nations’ share of overall exports.
Policy
The ‘Day After’ In Syria Finally Came. But What Comes Next?
If U.S. military commanders were unsure of their mission four years ago, it’s even muddier today.
Threats
ISIS Is ‘Waiting for the Right Time to Resurge’: CENTCOM Commander
Gen. Joseph Votel offered lawmakers warnings on Syria — and an upbeat message on Afghanistan.
Ideas
I Ran the Air War Over Gaddafi. Here's Why The US Should Stop Backing the Yemen War
One hopes Jared Kushner said it in Saudi Arabia, but Congress should curtail the Pentagon’s participation in this war.
Threats
Pentagon Wins a Reprieve with Trump Approval of ‘Residual’ Forces in Syria
General Dunford is “confident” U.S. allies will now agree to stay, but for how long remains undetermined.
Ideas
Sunni Jihad Is Going Local
Future extremists will focus not on exporting violence to the West, but on building influence in their own communities.
Ideas
Ep. 35: After Mattis + Shutdown’s effect on national security
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
America’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East is Not What Pompeo Claimed
In Cairo, the secretary touted stronger U.S. engagement in the region, all evidence to the contrary.
Ideas
Moscow’s Little-Noticed Islamic-Outreach Effort
Russia is promoting Islamic moderation in unison with Arab powers—and further cementing its position in the Middle East.
Policy
Trump Just Killed His Own Defense Strategy
The commander in chief has torn up 17 years of counterterrorism plans, offering instead his strange mix of talking points and lies.
Ideas
The Biggest Nuclear Threats of 2018 Will Follow Us into the New Year
We whistled past the graveyard this year. Let’s be smarter in 2019.
Ideas
What we learned in 2018: What's ahead for Syria + why ISIS is not defeated yet
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Policy