Threats

Israel Invades Gaza After Hamas Refuses To Yield

Israel sends ground forces into Gaza to stop rocket attacks, military officials said, after Palestinians ignore repeated warnings to cease fire. By Kevin Baron

Ideas

You Can’t Fight Terrorists By Partnering With Guys Like Maliki

The U.S. needs to choose better counterterrorism partners than the likes of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. By Michael J. Quigley

Threats

ISIL and the Lesser Evil of Bashar al-Assad

As ISIL tears through Iraq, Syria's Assad has strengthened his alliances with Baghdad, Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. Could the U.S. be next? By Dominic Tierney

Ideas

When War Zones Become Travel Destinations

'People come here every day to see the show,' says one tourism agent who brings spectators to the Syrian border. By Debra Kamin

Threats

Iron Dome—Savior, or Sales Job?

A brief comparison of some of the ways Western media outlets have portrayed Israel's high-profile anti-rocket system. By James Fallows

Policy

Senate Defense Bill Doubles Obama’s Request for Israel’s Iron Dome

As rockets fly over Israel and Gaza, Congress is doubling its spending on Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

What Would Reagan Do In Iraq?

Rand Paul and Rick Perry each claim to be the Gipper’s heir in the Middle East. Who's right? By Peter Beinart

Threats

Why Hamas Chooses Rockets Over Nation Building

With the prospects for a two-state solution looking hopelessly dim, what does Hamas stand to gain by firing rockets at the civilians of its militarily powerful neighbor? By Jeffery Goldberg

Ideas

The One Thing the U.S. Can't Train the Iraqi Army To Do

The U.S. has trained the Iraqi military for years. But there’s one thing you can’t teach an army to do. By Lt. Gen. Robert Gard

Ideas

A Chance to Drive a Wedge Between Jihadists and Sunnis

ISIL’s overreach into Iraq is Washington’s opportunity to shift Sunni allegiances for good. By Dave Miller

Threats

When Millennials Intifada: The New Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Today's young adults see the fighting -- and chance for peace -- much differently than their elders. By Jeff Moskowitz

Threats

Hagel Declares ISIL Clear and 'Imminent Threat’ To U.S.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warns Americans – and skeptical lawmakers – that the extremists carving up Iraq and Syria threaten ‘every stabilized country on Earth.’ By Ben Watson

Threats

Former Bush Advisers Push Old Candidate Chalabi for New Iraq

Bush insiders think the man who gave U.S. officials false intelligence on Iraq more than a decade ago just might be the man to bring order to the political instability that plagues the country now. By Clara Ritger

Threats

Al-Qaeda's New Bomb Might Make It Through Airport Security

U.S. intelligence officials believe al-Qaeda's Yemeni branch has created a way to move explosives past airport security -- and foreign airports should take note. By Global Security Newswire

Ideas

‘You Have to Kill Them’ Says Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq

America can ‘twiddle our thumbs’ no longer, say former U.S. ambassadors in the region. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

Dempsey Says Iraq Can’t Beat ISIL, Won’t Rule Out More U.S. Troops

Don’t call it ‘mission creep’ in Iraq, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dempsey says, call it ‘mission match.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Why the U.N. Is Likely Underestimating the Iraq Death Toll

Before we can prevent deaths in Iraq, we first have to learn to count them correctly. By Patrick Tucker

Threats

The Rise and Fall of Our Man in Baghdad

How Washington made Nouri al-Maliki, then lost control of it's Middle East strongman. By David Rohde, Warren Strobel, Missy Ryan and Ned Parker

Ideas

U.S. Power and the Future of Arab Democracy

From the Aspen Ideas Festival, how can we get to a political solution in the Middle East without the credible use of force? By J.J. Gould

Threats

Obama Sends Another 300 U.S. Troops to Iraq

Increasingly worried about the unraveling security situation in Iraq, President Obama puts more boots on the ground. By Stephanie Gaskell