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Gen. Allen To Manage Obama's Strategy Against the Islamic State
Retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen is President Obama’s point man on the mission to destroy the Islamic State. By Stephanie Gaskell
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Inviting Arab States To Fight Terrorism is Just Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Pain
Allying with governments and their militaries that populations detest is no way to curb extremism. By Sarah Chayes
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How Much of a Threat to the Homeland Is the Islamic State?
Lots of things 'could' threaten the U.S. In the case of the Islamic State, does that danger justify another military campaign in the Middle East? By Peter Beinart
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The Islamic State Fight Now Hinges on Arab Leaders
The Islamic State cannot be defeated without the broad support of ordinary citizens of the Middle East. On its face, this shouldn't be difficult. By Bobby Ghosh
Ideas
Obama’s Speech Reflects a Refined Foreign Policy Doctrine
The president’s speech presents a refined American engagement that relies not just on our kinetic capabilities. By Maj. Mike Lyons
Policy
Islamic State Unites Congress, But Lawmakers Diverge on the Way Forward
The Islamic State may have provoked rare unity in a dysfunctional Congress -- but lawmakers’ support for Obama’s strategy comes with crucial caveats. By Molly O’Toole
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Obama Has a Strategy for the Islamic State But He Better Have a Plan B
President Obama laid out a plan to defeat the Islamic State. But it’s hardly a shock and awe. Is there a Plan B? By Kevin Baron
Ideas
In Obama Speech, Echoes of the Lyndon Johnson Era
President Obama’s speech on the Islamic State was nicely written, if you care about presidential syntax. But it reflected no sense of history. By Philip Seib
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The Case Against Another War in Iraq
The president's developing campaign against the Islamic State is shaking out to be more emotionally reactive than purpose-driven. By David Frum
Policy
Congressional Leaders Stand Back To Let Obama Strike Islamic State
The White House made clear the president won't go to Capitol Hill for approval to broaden his campaign against ISIL. And for now, no one is dissenting. By Daniel Newhauser
Ideas
‘No Boots on the Ground’ Doesn’t Mean No Combat in Iraq
President Obama is vowing not to send 'boots on the ground' in Iraq but they’re already there. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Ignoring Obama's Most Important Achievement in the Middle East
The president is successful at hunting terrorists and denying the Islamic State access to vast storehouses of deadly chemical weapons. So why doesn't he get credit? By Jeffrey Goldberg
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Is Obama's Caution on the Islamic State Paying Off?
From a steep rise in support from the American public to an assertive Arab League and a new Baghdad government, there are some good signs in the fight against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh
Ideas
What Obama Needs To Tell the American People About the Islamic State
While limited air strikes in Iraq have slowed the progress of the Islamic State, it’s clear that more must be done. By Rep. Martha Roby
Policy
Islamic State Dominates the Post-Recess Conversation in Congress
Congress is unlikely to vote on authorization for broad war powers in Iraq and Syria ahead of the midterms, but the deepening debate could shape U.S. policy for years to come. By Molly O’Toole
Science & Tech
Social Media’s Very Arab Future
What does the Arab world’s Twitter use reveal about the U.S. challenge of winning hearts and minds online? By Patrick Tucker
Ideas
How the Lessons of Iraq Are Shaping the Fight Against the Islamic State
After 4 years of war in Iraq, the U.S. learned the importance of patience and restraint--lessons that dominate today's strategic fight against the Islamic State. By Col. Steve Liszewski
Policy
The Risks and Rewards of Obama's 'No Ground Troops' Pledge
If the president's motive is politics, both hawks and doves have reason to be worried. By Ron Fournier
Ideas
Beyond Airstrikes, How the US Can Accelerate the Islamic State’s Defeat
Time is not on Washington’s side, despite greater clarity of the military, political and economic efforts it will take to defeat the Islamic State. By Bilal Y. Saab
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