Policy
Who Wins, Who Loses, and Who’s in Between After the Iran Deal
Hint: the US isn’t in the first two categories.
Policy
Hagel: Vietnam War Offers Lessons for Islamic State Fight
The former defense secretary shares some insight ahead of the congressional commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the war in Indochina.
Policy
America's New Approach to the Iran Negotiations
The US and other powers are calling Tehran's deadline bluffs.
Ideas
Don't Expect Obama To Budge on His High Bar For Intervention
At the Pentagon, the president repeated what he’s said since running for office: the U.S. won’t fight the Mideast’s wars—except it is.
Ideas
Chart: The Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria vs. Previous Military Campaigns
Critics say the Obama administration isn’t dropping enough bombs on ISIS. Here's how Inherent Resolve stacks up against previous operations.
Threats
ISIS Kills 50 Egyptian Soldiers in Sinai Peninsula
If the terrorist group does control this territory, it would be a new milestone for the group's foothold outside of Iraq and Syria.
Ideas
Why Terrorists Want To See the End of Tunisia
Tunisia’s struggles to counter terrorism and nurture democracy are intertwined and, at times, mutually destructive.
Ideas
The US Military Should 'Go Small' to Defeat ISIS
Static, fortified bases cede the initiative to the enemy. Unconventional and light is the better approach—even if it carries a higher degree of tactical risk.
Policy
US Restores Bahrain Military Aid Despite Human Rights
Obama determines Bahrain, which houses key U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations in the Middle East, has made some “meaningful progress” on human rights reforms.
Threats
Video Chat Could Put US Advisors In ISIS Fight — Virtually
US troops confined to Iraqi bases may soon use FaceTime-like apps to help Iraqi soldiers on the battlefield.
Ideas
Michael Oren Is Wrong — There Has Always Been Daylight Between the US and Israel
Some Israelis think the relationship will snap back in January 2017, but it'll be more likely to continue as it always has.
Ideas
A Jordanian Man's Journey From the Arab Spring to al-Qaeda Foot Soldier
After pro-democracy protests failed in Jordan, one teenager's determination to make a difference led him into the arms of al-Qaeda in Syria.
Ideas
What a Yemeni Missile Teaches Us About the Iran Deal
The U.S. and its regional partners are going to have to work a lot harder because missiles are missing from the P5+1 nuclear negotiations.
Policy
Everything You Want To Know About Iran Sanctions
As the P5+1 continues negotiating a deal, here's how Tehran came to face a dizzying array of punitive measures.
Threats
Al Qaeda's Middle Management Problem
Recent strikes against the group’s top officials in Libya and Yemen illustrate its organizational weaknesses.
Policy
The Syrian War in Numbers, 4 Years On
After 51 months of fighting, the death toll is more than 230,000 Syrians, including some 14,000 children and 30,000 opposition fighters.
Policy
As More US Troops Head to Iraq, New Congressional Approval Isn’t Going Anywhere
Despite some legal experts' claims that the U.S. shouldn't fight ISIS on the authority to fight al-Qaida, the issue is a political hot potato in almost every corner of Washington.
Threats
Iraq's Problem Is So Much Bigger Than Just Training Its Military
President Obama may blame the lack of a strategy for training the troops on Baghdad, but solving ISIS is much bigger than finding a fighting force.
Policy
Obama on Iraq Troop Training: 'We Don’t Yet Have A Complete Strategy'
The president said in a press conference from the G-7 meeting Monday that the Pentagon is still waiting on 'commitments' from the Iraqi government.
Ideas