Policy
The US Balance-of-Power Strategy in the Gulf is Collapsing. But It Never Had a Chance Anyway
The Qatar dispute deals a death blow to Trump Administration dreams of an Arab NATO arrayed against Iran.
Ideas
It’s Long Past Time to Rethink US Military Posture in the Gulf
The rift between Qatar and other Gulf nations should prompt a long-overdue review of what the Pentagon keeps in the region, and where.
Ideas
Mosul: What the Decade's Largest Battle Says About the Future of War
Here’s how Western-backed Iraqi soldiers helped break the Islamic State’s grip on a city of more than 1 million people — and what we can learn from it.
Threats
‘Whoever Controls Benghazi Controls Libya’
Well into its fourth year, the war in Libya’s second city has buttressed strongman Khalifa Haftar and sent ripples through the region.
Threats
Is ISIS More Violent During Ramadan?
The group has called for increased attacks during the Islamic holy month.
Ideas
Don’t Loosen the Rules on Civilian Casualties During Drone Strikes
The Trump team may eliminate the “near certainty” clause, which would do far more damage to US counterterrorism than retaining it.
Ideas
America’s Best Partner in Middle East HUMINT Needs Help
Jordan’s spies set the standard for the boots-on-the-ground intelligence sharing that is crucial to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
Ideas
Where Are the Grownups? It's Time for Congress to Step Up
The confused response to the Qatari crisis is just the latest warning that a depleted executive branch needs foreign-policy help.
Ideas
The Danger of Picking Sides in the Qatar Crisis
For better or worse, all the Gulf nations remain vital allies for the U.S. in the fight against terrorism.
Science & Tech
It’s Getting Harder to Draw Lessons from Today’s Wars
The researchers compiling the U.S. Army’s accounts of Iraq and Afghanistan have an overwhelming yet spotty volume of material to work through.
Ideas
Want to Reduce Iran’s and al-Qaeda’s Sway in Yemen? End the War
The US-Saudi-UAE-Yemeni-government plan to double down on a military solution is a recipe for disaster.
Ideas
Don’t Label Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps a Terror Group
The IRGC is key to the ‘US-led’ coalition fighting to oust ISIS from Mosul.
Ideas
Did Trump’s Riyadh Visit Trigger the GCC Flare-up?
Both the United States and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have an interest in a quick political resolution to this crisis.
Ideas
The Saudi Deal Shows Just How Broken the US Arms Export Process Has Become
A system meant to keep weapons sales from undermining U.S. national security has become a sham.
Business
What Really Matters in Trump’s $110B Saudi Arms Package
It’s still a lot of talk and no final sales, but long-stalled deals worth billions just got moving again.
Ideas
And So It Begins: Trump, Syria, and The Lessons of Iraq
With recent 'warning shot' at Assad, the US is trying to avoid escalation in Syria, not stoke it, sources say.
Ideas
There’s Less than Meets the Eye in Trump’s Saudi Arms Deal
It takes a lot of existing offers and future promises to add up to $110 billion.
Threats
What Syrian-Peace Negotiators in Geneva Must Learn from Russia
Unless this latest round acknowledges battlefield reality, the UN-sponsored talks will continue their slide into irrelevance.
Policy