Policy
Senate Approves Obama's Mission To Train Syrian Rebels
In its last pre-election move, Congress sends the president a bill to arm and train properly vetted members of the Syrian opposition. By Michael Catalini and Sarah Mimms
Threats
NSA Says Intelligence on the Islamic State Could Have Been 'Stronger'
The nation’s top spies account for faulty intelligence in Iraq and warn that ‘it could get bad.’ By Patrick Tucker
Threats
The Constitution Is More Than Just an Obstacle To Fighting ISIL
President Obama doesn't want to ask Congress to declare a war. Congress doesn't seem interested in fighting back. But the law demands otherwise. By Garrett Epps
Threats
House Approves Measure To Arm and Train Syrian Rebels
Anti-Islamic State language split both parties, but now the funding bill now heads to the Senate. By Billy House
Threats
Air Power Alone Can't Defeat the Islamic State
Air strikes might defeat the Islamic State, but does the U.S. have the capacity to leave behind stable institutions without a massive deployment of troops and cash? By Tim Fernholz
Policy
New Lawmakers Agonize Over Their First War Vote
For newer members of Congress, a vote to authorize training Syrian rebels will be their first time weighing military action. By Billy House
Threats
Petraeus, Crocker Support Plan To Arm and Train Syrian Rebels
In a letter to Congress, the former ‘dream team’ of the Iraq War is backing a plan to train and equip Syrian rebels. By Ben Watson
Ideas
Fight the Islamic State in Iraq? Sure. In Syria? Not So Much
There’s consensus in Washington about fighting the Islamic State in Iraq, but when it comes to Syria, things get messy. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Dempsey Says US Ground Forces Possible If Coalition Strategy Fails
Top military advisors give the president their best advice based on the situation on the ground. That may mean ‘no boots on the ground’ complicates things. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Governments Line Up To Buy the Drone That Terrorized Gaza
Just weeks after the latest Israel-Hamas cease-fire, defense contractors are itching to sell the IDF's primary weapon in counter-terror operations. By Daniel A. Medina
Threats
Israel's Worst-Kept Secret
Is the silence over Israeli nukes doing more harm than good? By Douglas Birch and R. Jeffrey Smith
Policy
House Vote on Syria Expected Wednesday
Lawmakers in the House say they'll vote on authorization to train Syrian rebels along with a spending bill and 2 separate amendments just in time for pre-election recess. By Billy House
Policy
Congress Has 4 Days To Act on Obama's Syria Plan
Congress has plenty to tackle in its last week before recess, including whether or not to include language in its spending bill that would authorize the training of Syrian rebels. By Michael Catalini and Billy House
Threats
Islamic State Releases Video That Appears to Show Execution of British Aid Worker
The militant group had threatened to kill David Cawthorne Haines in a previous video. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
Here’s What Arab Militaries Bring to the Fight Against the Islamic State
How useful would Gulf Arab contributions be? In purely military terms, not very. Here’s why. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
House Republicans Find Obama's Plans in Syria 'Unrealistic'
Seeking more details on Obama's plans for Syria, House Speaker John Boehner said, 'Somebody's boots will have to be on the ground.' By Daniel Newhauser and Billy House
Science & Tech
The Islamic State Is Losing the Twitter War
The Islamic State won’t be waging war in 140 characters or less. By Patrick Tucker
Threats
As the Anti-Islamic State Coalition Takes Shape, Turkey Remains Reluctant
While 10 Arab countries agreed to partner with the U.S. against the Islamic State group, Turkish hostages remain an obstacle to Ankara's commitment. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
Is Obama Losing His Battle With Perpetual War?
'This war, like all wars, must end,' Obama declared in May at the National Defense University. This week, the president set aside that goal. By Uri Friedman
Threats