Policy
House Republicans Seek Their Own Strategy Against the Islamic State
Multiple GOP-led House committees will hold hearings next week aimed at drafting a plan to defeat the Islamic State group. By Daniel Newhauser
Threats
The Islamic State May Have Hit the Point of Diminishing Returns
As Iraqi security forces regain their footing, the Islamic State's use of terror is not enough to relieve the pressure they face on the battlefield. By Col. Clint Hinote
Ideas
It's Time for Better Options for Rescuing US Hostages
The murders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff make it clear the U.S. needs alternative ways to save its own from terrorist hostage takers. By Rep. Duncan Hunter
Ideas
Where NATO Needs to Do More—And Less
Preparing forces for Russia and the Islamic State? Yes. Missile defense and nuclear weapons? No. By Joe Cirincione
Threats
US Sends Another 350 Troops to Iraq
The State Department asked for additional U.S. troops to Iraq to beef up security around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
At Last, Some Good News in the Fight Against the Islamic State
Iraqi security forces, with U.S. air support, appear to be making modest gains against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
The Summer of Obama's Caution and America's Discontent
Americans don't seem to like a hawkish president, but they definitely don't like a weak one, either. By Ron Fournier
Threats
Islamic State Militant Beheads U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff in Video, Group Says
As they warned they would, Islamic State fighters beheaded American Steven Sotloff, says intel group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
The Fierce Minimalism of Barack Obama
Obama’s critics often claim he doesn’t have a strategy in the greater Middle East. That’s wrong. To understand it, we must go back 7 summers. By Peter Beinart
Policy
Behind Obama's Hesitation on Syria
Obama's caution reflects both the lawyer that he is and a deliberate turn away from his predecessor, who often neglected to weigh all the consequences of his decisions. By George F. Condon, Jr.
Threats
Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'
President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Why the Islamic State Is Mostly a Network of Roads
To say that ISIL controls territory stretching from Aleppo to Falluja and up to Mosul is not to say that it controls all of that territory equally. By Kathy Gilsinan
Threats
The Cease-Fire in Gaza By the Numbers
In the wake of the latest Gaza cease-fire agreement, here's a quick rundown on the damage and duration of Israeli-Hamas fighting this Summer. By Tim Fernholz
Threats
The Terrible Idea of Partnering With Syria's Assad
Why the U.S. teaming up with the Syrian dictator is both an interesting thought experiment and a terrible idea. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Mother of Kidnapped Journalist Sotloff Pleads to Baghdadi for Son’s Life
As the fate of kidnapped Americans complicates the U.S. fight against the Islamic State, Shirley Sotloff tells its leader her son is an innocent. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Why the Bombing of Tripoli Is a Game-Changer
For Washington, airstrikes by Egyptian and U.A.E. jets on Tripoli fighters signal a promising turn for regional players coordinating their own security. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
Republicans Recycle ‘Containment’ Line for Obama’s Iraq Strategy
Republicans once again hit Obama for ‘containment’ – painting the president as weak for not doing more to attack the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
The Problem With Bombing the Islamic State in Syria
For all the problems with intervening militarily in Iraq, every one of them pale next to the problems of doing so in Syria. By Peter Beinart
Science & Tech
The Islamic State's Own Photos Were Just Used to Find One of Its Training Camps
A British journalist teamed up with analysts and reporters to determine exactly where Islamic State fighters train near the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq. By Kabir Chibber
Ideas