Ideas
Ep. 31: The true origins of ISIS and the future of counterterrorism with Hassan Hassan
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Policy
The Senate is Poised to Pass the Yemen Resolution. Now What?
The House is almost certain not to take up the measure while Republicans are still in control. But what about next year?
Policy
The CIA Presented a ‘Smoking Gun’ on Khashoggi. What’s the Senate Going to Do About it?
Lindsey Graham and others emerged from a CIA briefing convinced that Trump and SecDef Mattis are wrong about the murder.
Policy
Decoding the Dance of Power: How Leaders Met MBS at the G20
With the killing of Jamal Khashoggi hanging over the Argentina summit, how leaders interacted with the Saudi crown prince revealed their relative positions of power.
Ideas
The Senate Takes a Step to Void America’s Blank Check to the Saudis
Washington can continue to work with Riyadh, but it need never again accept flagrant violations of human rights, international norms, or U.S. national interests.
Policy
Trump to Stick with Saudi Arabia in Spite of Khashoggi Killing
The president reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Riyadh — and said the crown prince may have known of plans to murder the U.S.-based journalist.
Threats
US-Backed Forces in Iraq, Syria May Face Challenges for Years
Latest report by three inspectors general details weakness in anti-ISIS effort.
Ideas
In the Gulf, Repression and Discontent Are Rising as US Influence Wanes
After the Arab Spring, rulers are cracking down harder in the absence of US officials to curb their worst impulses.
Ideas
Ep. 27: CENTCOM's Gen. Votel; Exosuits and super soldiers; Weaponizing social media and more.
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Threats
Mattis Sets 30-Day Deadline for Yemen Ceasefire
“We’ve admired this problem for long enough down there,” the defense secretary said.
Threats
'Extraordinarily Important': Top US General Defends Saudi Relationship, Yemen War
‘I think it is better if we are engaged,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel says in an interview.
Policy
What Mattis Said in the Middle East
The defense secretary said he pressed his Saudi counterpart on the murder of a U.S.-based journalist, but U.S.-Saudi relations appear little changed.
Threats
Mattis Treads Carefully on Khashoggi Crisis
The defense secretary condemned the killing of the Washington Post columnist but did not accuse Saudi Arabia, in keynote speech at security conference on the Persian Gulf.
Ideas
It’s Unnecessary to Pick Sides in the Gulf. America Should Stop.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are each capable of keeping the other from establishing regional control.
Ideas
Saudi Arabia is Hurting American Interests
After Yemen, Qatar, kidnappings and Khashoggi, it's time to reset the U.S. relationship with the kingdom.
Ideas
The Week That Tied Mideast Experts in Knots
Sanctions are not always bad, engagement is not always good, and transactional policy cuts both ways.
Policy
US Military Leaders Keep Quiet on Saudi Arabia Amid Khashoggi Outrage
The Pentagon has long accepted Saudi abuses as the price of friendship. The latest won’t change that.
Policy
The Khashoggi Affair Will Change the US-Saudi Relationship
Even if the storm largely blows over, U.S. law means some aspects will never be the same.
Policy
Khashoggi Situation Won’t Stop Saudi Arms Sales, But Could Slow Them
When it comes to blocking U.S. arms sales to foreign countries, Congress has a mixed track record.
Ideas