Ideas
Bombing Syria Won’t Make Paris Safer
The enemy France and Europe are struggling against is far closer to home.
Policy
Jeb Bush Struggles to Clarify Response to Syrian Refugee Backlash
In a week meant to burnish his national security credentials, the GOP candidate calls for “added measures” to the vetting process but says he doesn’t know what that process is.
Science & Tech
This Tool Could Sniff Out a Paris Bomb More Than a Football Field Away
The U.S. military is working to refine and improve a multi-sensor device that could one day deploy to detect suicide vests.
Policy
Clinton Details A More Aggressive US Plan for Middle East, Terrorism
The Democratic front-runner calls for an ‘intelligence surge,’ increased special operations, and more of nearly every U.S. tool to fight terrorism.
Ideas
It's Past Time for Congress to Debate the War on ISIS
The Korean War demonstrates the risks of continued escalation in the Middle East without congressional approval.
Threats
Three Ways ISIS Gets Its Money
“It seems to me … that terrorist groups will do anything for money.”
Policy
Do the Democrats Have a Strategy Against ISIS?
In the next presidential debates, Democrats should try laying out a plan to defeat the terrorist group instead of changing the subject or issuing vague platitudes.
Threats
Obama Defends ISIS War Plans, Says More US Troops A ‘Mistake’
The commander in chief defended his high bar for military intervention and contrasted tough talking ‘political games’ of his critics with his visits with wounded troops.
Ideas
What Will Change Now?
After Paris? By now, the war in Syria has become so complicated that 'this doesn't change anything.'
Ideas
America Isn't Losing the War of Ideas to ISIS
In every era, the same alarms bells have sounded. The rise of the Internet, however, could make this one different.
Ideas
The Secret to Defeating the ISIS 'Caliphate' Might Just Be in Islam Itself
Nearly 100 years after the last Ottoman caliph was exiled, the Sunni world has yet to wholly define itself. And if good people don't step in, worse ones—like ISIS—will.
Ideas
Make No Mistake: A Syrian Safe Zone is a Major Intervention
Safe zones can work if great powers and regional actors are united and committed to protecting civilians. These conditions don’t exist in Syria.
Business
US Air Force Might Delay Retiring A-10 Attack Plane
Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq and Syria—all three conflicts might lead the U.S. Air Force to delay retirement of the A-10 'Warthog,' a top general said.
Threats
A Breakaway Taliban Faction Comes Out in Support of Women's Rights
A new splinter group says 'under an Islamic system all rights of human beings—both men and women—need to be implemented 100 percent.'
Ideas
Obama's Chance to Reinvent the U.S.-Israel Defense Relationship
Despite what you may hear this week, the U.S. and Israel are far closer than many realize, says Obama's former Middle East policy chief at the Pentagon.
Threats
Carter: Gulf Allies Need Better Special Operators, Ground Forces More Than 'Fancy' Jets
In an interview, the U.S. defense secretary says America’s Arab allies need fewer high-end fighter jets and more training of ground forces and special-operations troops.
Science & Tech
How The Russian Crash Investigation Could Alter the War On Encryption
If intercepted communications prove an ISIS bomb caused the crash in Egypt, it could be just the boost surveillance state advocates need.
Ideas
Syrian Peace Prospects Now Hinge on Long-Time Foes Saudi Arabia and Iran
Fighting in Syria cannot be resolved without some kind of accommodation between Riyadh and Tehran—both of whom have used proxies to prolong the war.
Threats
US, UK Officials Suggest Bomb Exploded Russian Airliner, But Urge Caution
Likely, possibly, maybe—but British and U.S. officials stop short of confirming a bomb, or ISIS, brought down a Russian airliner over the Sinai.
Policy