Ideas
Is the Islamic State a Terrorist Group or an Insurgency?
What’s happening in Iraq and Syria calls for a full-blown counterinsurgency – if the American people can stomach it. By Jerry Meyerle
Business
How To Determine the Success of Air Strikes in Syria
Targeting these 5 categories of an enemy's system can determine the success or failure of an air strike campaign like the US-led one in Syria today. By Col. Clint Hinote
Ideas
In War and Tragedy, How the US Media Prioritizes Death
Gruesome beheadings by the Islamic State dominated the headlines, but it's worth understanding what gets lost and why oftentimes sympathy diminishes as death tolls rise. By Jacoba Urist
Policy
Meet the Muslim Leader Helping Obama Fight ISIL
Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah is part of a broader White House push to understand religion's potential to curb violent extremism. By Kaveh Waddell
Science & Tech
Arab Twitter Users Like Iran Even Less Than the US
Arab reaction to major events on Twitter from 2012 to 2013 points to broad animosity toward any non-Arab military interventionist power in the region. By Daniel A. Medina
Ideas
Q&A: Ryan Crocker on Iraq's Role in the Long War Against ISIL
The former ambassador says the Iraqi army is far from finished, but they'll need U.S. special forces with them to help take back provincial capitals like Ramadi. By Bernard Gwertzman
Science & Tech
This Site Tracks the Guns Going Into Syria
The movement of weapons into Syria and Iraq just became much more visible to the entire world. By Patrick Tucker
Ideas
Our Best Bet Against ISIL: Kurdish Crude
Make no mistake, the legal battles over Kurdish oil and the military battles over Iraqi territory are part of the same war. By M. Ron Wahid
Threats
Why Is the US Yielding to Iran Now?
The Obama administration does not need to make nuclear concessions to Tehran to gain its support against ISIL. By David Frum
Business
The Pentagon Will Need More Money from Congress To Fight ISIL
Whatever the defense budget for FY15 ends up being, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he will have to go back to Congress to ask for more money. By Jordain Carney
Threats
How American Precision Weapons Opened the Door to an Arab Coalition
For years, the U.S. sold Arab militaries precision-guided bombs for this very reason, while NATO stockpiles have lagged since Libya. By Marcus Weisgerber
Ideas
Obama Should Be Pressuring, Not Legitimizing, Bahrain
After several snubs, letting Bahrain’s tiny Air Force in on the ISIL air strikes is a missed opportunity to change the ways of a shaky ally. By Brian Dooley
Policy
Iran Says the West Should Step Aside in the Fight Against ISIL
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he believes 'the right solution to this quandary comes from within the region.' By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
Here’s a Map of Obama’s Coalition Against the Islamic State
Over 50 nations have joined the U.S. in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, but only five have taken major military action. By Kedar Pavgi
Threats
The Campaign Against ISIL Could Cost $1.5B a Month
Key questions remain concerning targets, transitions and how to fund a sustained campaign against ISIL. By Janine Davidson and Emerson Brooking
Threats
Air Strikes in Syria Are ‘Only the Beginning’
President Obama says he’s willing to do what it takes to destroy Islamic fighters in Iraq and Syria, drawing the U.S. back into war in the Middle East. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
The Khorasan Group Was Planning an ‘Imminent Attack’ on the West
The U.S. has had the Khorasan Group on its radar for a while, even if few had heard of them until Monday night's air strikes. By Marina Koren
Threats
Obama Now Owns the Struggle of the Syrians
The president has built an international coalition against Syria -- but make no mistake, this is an American fight. By Jeffrey Goldberg
Science & Tech
F-22 Finally Makes Its Combat Debut Against Syria
Seven years after they were declared battle ready, the $370 million jet sees action. By Marcus Weisgerber
Threats