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
Defense One's Top 10 Stories of 2014
It was a frenetic year in national security that included Iraq, Russia, China, Robots and X-Ray Guns.
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