Threats
Why Foreign Fighters Face Few Real Travel Restrictions
A variety of approaches from across the world has created loopholes that fighters can easily bypass by traveling through other countries with their Western passports. By Harry Oppenheimer
Threats
Why Sanctions on Iran Are Not at All Like the Embargo on Cuba
Havana and Tehran are very, very different—and here's why the Obama administration’s approach to U.S. sanctions should be, too. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Crocker: Training Rebels in Syria Is Moving Too Slow 'To Make a Difference'
The key lesson from the current turmoil in the region, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, the former ambassador said, 'is to engage.' By Charles S. Clark
Threats
The Slow Slide Toward Dictatorship Taking Place in Egypt and Turkey
The governments of Cairo and Ankara rounded up dozens of critics this past weekend as the two U.S. allies increasingly crack down on dissent with intimidation and violence. By Steven A. Cook
Policy
Is the Special Relationship Between the US and Egypt Over?
Too much mistrust has built up between Washington and Cairo for the partnership to return to business as usual. By Bernard Gwertzman
Policy
Kerry Says the Fight Against the Islamic State Could Expand Beyond Iraq and Syria
Secretary of State John Kerry says Congress shouldn’t limit geography or ground combat in the war against the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Islamic State Is On the ‘Defensive’ As a Coalition Builds in Iraq
The U.S. war commander in Iraq says ‘you don’t see a lot of movement” by ISIS these days, but you might see more international troops enter the fight soon. By Gordon Lubold
Threats
The Fight Against ISIS Is Creating Three Separate Armies in Iraq
Can Iraq hold itself together while Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fight separately against the Islamic State? By Steven A. Cook
Threats
US Commandos ‘Lost the Element of Surprise’ in Yemen Raid
American journalist Luke Somers is killed in a second attempt to rescue him from al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. By Gordon Lubold
Threats
The Syrian Civil War, From Space
Three years of conflict have literally plunged the country into darkness. By Uri Friedman
Ideas
The US Should Condemn Bahrain, Not Rationalize For Them
As the 10th Manama Dialogue convenes, Bahrain’s monarchy is a human rights nightmare and source of insecurity the United States should be condemning, not celebrating. By Brian Dooley
Policy
Rand Paul Wants To Tie Declaration of War Against ISIS To Defense Bill
Under Sen. Paul's largely symbolic bill, the U.S. would have 12 months to fight ISIS with limited ground troops. By Alex Brown
Threats
Lebanon Says It Detained a Wife and Child of ISIL’s Leader
Security officials from Lebanon say they apprehended the two at the Lebanese-Syrian border 10 days ago. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Baghdad, Kurds Put Aside Differences To Secure Oil from Smugglers
Iraq finally closed a deal with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to rout oil sales through Baghdad in exchange for finally funding the Peshmerga fighters. By Steve LeVine
Policy
Congress Has Less Than 10 Days To Make All of These National Security Decisions
From Iraq to the budget, Congress has a long way to go and a short time to get there. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
FBI Accuses Two in Minnesota of Trying To Join ISIS
A 20-year-old Somali American is believed to have made it to Syria and his 18-year-old friend was stopped before he could leave the U.S. By Kaveh Waddell
Policy
Boehner Snubs Report, Pushes Forward on Benghazi
After the release of a recent GOP-led report vindicating the Obama administration, the House speaker wants to reappoint his own select inquiry into the 2012 terrorist attacks. By Russell Berman
Policy
A Resurgent GOP Is Fuming Over Extending the Iran Nuclear Talks
The seven-month delay gives Iran and the U.S. more time to nail down terms on Iran’s nuclear program. It also gives Congress ample time to intervene. By Kaveh Waddell
Ideas
NATO’s Campaign in Libya Offers Salient Lessons for the Air War Against ISIL
These five lessons from the 2011 air campaign in Libya are relevant today in the campaign against the Islamic State. By Karl P. Mueller
Threats