Policy
Saudi King Dies Amid Middle East Power Struggle
Amid a new Middle East, King Abdullah's death leaves Saudi Arabia still ruled by elderly heirs. By Adam Chandler
Threats
Hagel Says Iraqi Complaints Against Coalition Efforts 'Unhelpful'
Defense officials said that 6,000 Islamic State fighters have been killed by coalition forces. But Vietnam War veteran Hagel dismissed the casualty count as a metric of mission success. By Gordon Lubold and Marcus Weisgerber
Policy
Top HASC Republican Rebuffs Obama: Syria ‘Still a Bloody Mess’
House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry says the ‘ugly truth’ is there are few good options for defeating the Islamic State and saving Syria. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Obama and Congress Approach an Impasse on Iran Sanctions
A potential showdown between Senate Democrats and the White House over Iran could lead to the first successful veto override of President Obama's tenure. By Fawn Johnson
Threats
Yemen’s Houthis Are a Reminder of Iran’s Sectarian Agenda
The Houthi insurgents who have run amok in the Yemeni capital have been backed with weapons, money and training by Iran. To what end? By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Why Syria's Assad No Longer 'Has to Go'
In the face of even worse prospects for security in the region, U.S. officials have backed down on declarations against the Syrian dictator. By Adam Chandler
Threats
Playing It Straight With Turkey
The Turkish government has proven problematic for its western allies in a variety of areas. By Steven A. Cook
Ideas
Is Egypt on the Verge of Another Uprising?
Four years after taking power in a military coup, Egypt's Sisi is younger and sharper than his predecessor -- but he’s applying the same tools to the same problems. By Thanassis Cambanis
Threats
US To Send 400 Trainers and Hundreds More Troops for Syrian Train-and-Equip Mission
After months of planning, the Pentagon’s training mission for Syria’s rebels is beginning to take form. By Gordon Lubold
Threats
Obama's Careful Dance Around Radical Islam
To not call the attacks in France Islamic extremism whitewashes from public debate an important detail: These terrorists are invoking a great religion to do evil. By Ron Fournier
Policy
Obama, GOP Agree the US Needs New War Powers To Fight ISIS
During a meeting with congressional leaders Tuesday, the only real progress came on Syria, with Obama pledging to work on a use of force resolution. By Alex Brown
Threats
ISIS, al-Qaeda and Why It Doesn't Matter to Would-Be Jihadists
Despite divergent personal and political aims, the real differences between al-Qaeda and ISIS are often irrelevant to aspiring jihadis like the Paris attackers. By Bobby Ghosh
Ideas
Pro-Islamic State Group Hacks US Military Twitter, YouTube Accounts
Twitter Jihadists rejoice as CENTCOM suffers an embarrassing day on social media. By Patrick Tucker
Threats
5 Months of Air Strikes in Iraq and Syria in 4 Charts
Five months, 1,689 strikes, and more than 3,200 targets, the campaign against the Islamic State rumbles on. By Kedar Pavgi
Threats
The Islamic State Is Losing Its Momentum
Evidence suggests that the Islamic State's power has been declining for months. By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
Threats
US To Send More Troops to Iraq To Train Iraqi Forces
The current plan is to train 12 Iraqi Army brigades, but Pentagon officials say that could expand. By Gordon Lubold
Science & Tech
The Air Force Needs a Lot More Drone Pilots
An internal memo between top Air Force generals shows there are too few pilots to fill the Pentagon's growing demand for air strikes over places like Iraq and Syria. By Hanna Kozlowska
Ideas
If Only America Cared About Actual Wars as Much as War Movies
America loves 'American Sniper,' but there are consequences when a nation is so disengaged with its own wars. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Threats
Even the Islamic State Needs a Bank
The Islamic State is hoping to establish its legitimacy by making its own money, budgets, and welfare system. By Adam Chandler
Ideas