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

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

The ‘Nightmare Scenario’ Has Happened and You’re to Blame

Trump’s withdrawal from from Syria is what military leaders feared — and exactly what he promised.

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.