Threats

Does Russia Have War Bots in Space?

Moscow’s latest satellites might be bashing into other orbiting things — on purpose.

Threats

Gates: Come Up With A Syria Strategy, Then Tell Putin ‘Stay Out of the Way’

In his return to Washington, the former defense secretary says the Russian chief knows just what he’s doing.

Threats

Syria's Assad Visits Russia While Turkey Points to the Exit

In Moscow, Assad thanked Russia for its role in preventing 'events in Syria from taking an even more tragic turn.'

Threats

Russian Airstrikes Are Killing 1 Syrian Civilian for Every 2 Combatants

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian warplanes have killed 370 people this month. Thirty-four percent have been civilians.

Ideas

Russia is Proving Why Nuclear-Tipped Cruise Missiles Are a Very Bad Idea

Those four cruise missiles that crashed in Iran could’ve been carrying nuclear warheads — which is why the US should ban them, not renew them.

Threats

Did NATO Forces Just Down a Russian Drone Over Turkey?

As the Internet examines pictures of an alleged Russian surveillance drone shot down by Turkish jets, Russia says, ‘What drone?’

Ideas

Why Containment Won’t Work Against Putin's Russia

The Kremlin has essentially weaponized globalization.

Threats

Russia Is Forcing the Pentagon to Rewrite Its European Playbook

The U.S. military is looking at ways to better prepare its troops to counter and deter Moscow, which continues to surprise U.S. officials with its military moves.

Policy

As Syria Heats Up, Obama Defends Mideast Policy

In a confrontational interview on 60 Minutes, the president fired back at critics of his response to Russian moves in Syria.

Ideas

Don't Chase Putin Out of Syria — Let Him Fail On His Own

Putin is no chess master. He overstretched and misstepped in Syria, and U.S. would be wiser to wait him out than chase him out.

Threats

Russia Aims A Second Salvo at Syria, Hits Iran Instead

Cruise missiles launched from warships in the Caspian Sea go awry on their 1,000-mile journey.

Threats

Russia Fired Cruise Missiles At Syria and YouTubed the Whole Thing

The Defense Ministry said 26 medium-range cruise missiles were fired into Syria from ships nearly 1,000 miles away.

Ideas

Watch What Putin Does, Not What He Says

Nothing in the Russian president’s UN speech suggested he was about to bomb Syria or withdraw from Ukraine. But that’s what he did.

Ideas

US No Longer ‘Allergic’ To Iranian Role in Syrian Solution

A former US ambassador to Syria spies a subtle shift in US thinking about a way forward in the wartorn country.

Threats

U.S., Russia Discussing Deconfliction in Syria — One Day After Russian Strikes Begin

Also: Pentagon officials say Russian strikes didn’t hit ISIS targets as Moscow claims.

Threats

Defense Secretary Ash Carter: US Won't Be Clearing Syria’s Skies for Russia

As Russia launches its first strikes in Syria, defying recent agreements to deconflict with U.S. forces, the Pentagon is rejecting its call to stay out of the way.

Ideas

Moscow’s Moves in Syria Exploit Limits of Obama's Containment Strategy

Washington wants to shape the conflict from afar, but Russia is now shaping the facts on the ground.

Policy

Putin Makes the Case For Dictators With UN Speech

Obama and Putin both want to defeat ISIS. But their visions for how the world should look after its defeat don't match up.

Policy

Who Cares If Russia Helps Stabilize Syria

If Putin and Obama don't want a fight, Moscow and Washington should get over themselves and let this work.

Threats

Obama, Putin Will Meet About Syria

With their military forces both engaged in a single war-torn country, the leaders will meet during the UN General Assembly.