Threats
The Mad Scramble for Syria
After weeks of chaos in the northeast, great powers redrew a small chunk of the map. And a bigger story is just beginning.
Science & Tech
Russia Says It Used Autonomous Armed Strike Drones in a Wargame
But some observers have questions about the claim.
Ideas
It’s Not All Trump’s Fault: Syria Shows the Danger of War on the Cheap
America’s surprise withdrawal is deeply destabilizing, but so is the proxy war that Western countries have fought for five years.
Policy
Pentagon Vows to Guard the Syrian Oil That Trump Wants to Seize
That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.
Ideas
What Was the Point of the Syria ‘Withdrawal’?
Donald Trump, who vowed to get troops out of Syria altogether, incurred all the strategic costs without getting any of the political benefit.
Threats
US Troops, Armor Will ‘Secure’ Oil Fields in Syria, Says SecDef in New Reversal
The U.S. might also maintain “one of our two airfields that are there,” said America’s envoy to Syria to lawmakers.
Science & Tech
Russia Will Test Its Ability to Disconnect from the Internet
The nascent RuNet is meant to allow the country to survive an attack — and Putin to monitor and control the population.
Threats
Trump’s STRATCOM Pick Declines to Endorse Open-Skies Withdrawal
The Trump administration is weighing pulling out of the 1992 surveillance agreement amid complaints that Russia is out of compliance.
Ideas
How Climate Change Will Help China And Russia Wage Hybrid War
Increased refugee flows, weather threats, and declining food security will deepen tensions already being exploited to divide and weaken the U.S. and its allies.
Threats
Russian Hackers Used Stolen Iranian Malware to Attack 35 Countries, NSA Says
U.S. and British authorities said the Turla group is piggy-backing off the work of Iranian rivals to advance its own agenda.
Science & Tech
Facebook, Czech Republic Shut Down More Russian Influence, Espionage Efforts
Facebook announced a takedown of Russian-government connected accounts. But experts say that the U.S. isn’t doing enough.
Ideas
10 Ways America’s Situation in the Middle East Will Get Worse
The Syrian pullout and the Iraqi instability are undermining U.S. national-security interests.
Ideas
How to Protect America After the Syria Withdrawal
Fighting ISIS just got harder—but it’s still possible, and it’s necessary.
Ideas
10 Hard Realities of America’s Next Syria Policy
The troops are leaving, but the U.S. still has regional and global interests in what happens there.
Ideas
The Intelligence Fallout From Trump’s Withdrawal in Syria
The chaotic withdrawal from Syria will severely weaken U.S. efforts in the country—and could also be a boost for Russia and Iran.
Ideas
Ep. 57: The Future of the U.S. Military in Syria (for now)
Three Middle East experts forecast likely consequences and the longterm costs of the U.S. military withdrawing from northern Syria.
Threats
The US Is Leaving Syria. Russia Is Moving In.
“I hope they all do great, we are 7,000 miles away!” Trump tweeted.
Ideas
Trump Made His Real Syria Mistakes Months Ago
U.S. involvement should have ended with the recapture of ISIS’ territory and a Kurd-Assad deal.
Ideas
To Fight Disinformation, Rethink Counterintelligence
For too long, the focus of U.S. counterintelligence has been safeguarding government secrets and corporate intellectual property.
Science & Tech