Ideas
How US and European Aims Overlap in the Middle East
Although deep disconnects plague transatlantic cooperation, the two sides still share a common interest in stabilizing this volatile region.
Ideas
Russia Can’t Control What Happens in Syria
As the civil war morphs, Putin is trying to position himself as the indispensable power. But a dangerous confrontation between Israel and Iran is escalating.
Ideas
The US Must Build Saudi Arabia’s First Nuclear Reactors
Riyadh will get its atomic energy. The question is who gets the construction contracts — and the influence that goes with them.
Ideas
Ep. 12: Charles Lister on the future of Syria and ISIS; Mara Karlin on the US and fragile states; Lockheed's Greg Ulmer on the F-35 and more.
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
For America, More War in Syria Is All Risk, No Reward
The recklessness of keeping U.S. soldiers in harm’s way is compounded by the fact that there are no vital American interests at stake.
Ideas
As US Tightens Sanctions, Iran Seeks Leverage — and Russia May Win Either Way
Iran's recent relatively mild public statements belie the cards it might play in regional conflicts.
Ideas
The US Must Tell Bahrain’s Rulers: It's Time to Reform
The crackdown by Sunni rulers on the Shi’ite majority is opening doors for Tehran.
Ideas
Yemen Is Not a Sideshow
By indulging a years-long, bloody stalemate there, the United States has breathed life into Iran’s regional meddling.
Ideas
What Happens in the Gulf Doesn’t Stay in the Gulf
A year after the Qatar crisis began, it’s having potentially dangerous reverberations in the Horn of Africa.
Business
Pentagon Is Speeding Up Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia, Other Allies
A recent law allows one-size-fits-most-allies contracts, the U.S. military’s head weapons buyer explains.
Ideas
Arab Women in Syria, Inspired by Kurdish Sisters, Join the Fight — and the Movement
"There is no difference between us and them, we are both women. What is really important now is women are having a role."
Policy
After the Iran Deal, Here’s What the US Military Is Worried About Next
Keep your eyes on Iranian ballistic missiles showing up in Yemen.
Ideas
Trump Is Setting America on an Unpredictable Course in the Middle East
It starts with exiting the Iran nuclear deal without a plan, and it could end with a messy, violent, and unnecessary conflict.
Policy
Macron Mic-Drops on Trump, Offers a New Call to Western Leadership
Defending multilateralism and democracy, the French president gave the best political speech America has seen in years.
Policy
The Politics of Hating (And Loving) France
From freedom fries to fast friends, after the Macron visit will Republicans who choose to stand with Trump continue to stand with France? The war on terrorism may depend on it.
Ideas
A Trump Doctrine for the Middle East
The region has now been Trump-branded as “a troubled place”—and one America is not particularly interested in helping.
Threats
What Is America Going to Do About Syria Now?
After the latest suspected chemical attack, the United States has four options.
Ideas
Time to Get Out of Syria
The national security 'blob' who warn departure would be a disaster are wrong.
Threats
Trump Reverses, Says He’ll Keep US Troops in Syria
The president officially walked back last week’s off-the-cuff remark that the U.S. would leave Syria ‘very soon,’ leaving even more questions about the mission.
Business