Threats
ISIS Is Not Defeated. Pulling US Troops From Syria Would Jeopardize Everything
I just returned from my fifth trip to Northeast Syria in 18 months. If the US quits now, there are four winners: ISIS, Assad, Russia, and Iran.
Threats
Does a New US Goal for Syrian Training Portend a Longer Mission?
The military’s top general raised expectations for the Syrian Democratic Forces — and lowered them for a quick exit for U.S. troops.
Ideas
Trump's Iran-Centric Syria Policy Takes Shape
Congress likely won’t take action to rein in the military powers it granted the president after the 9/11 attacks—powers that Trump uses with the broad aim of countering Iran.
Ideas
Ep. 29: Ambassador James Jeffrey on Syria; Plus Sue Mi Terry of CSIS and Evan Medeiros of Georgetown University
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
Why the Idlib Deal Matters
Ankara’s U.S. ambassador says the Turkey-Russia buffer agreement can save even more lives — if other governments will help implement it.
Ideas
If Iran Never Leaves Syria, Will America Stay Forever?
If the Trump administration’s containment strategy fails, it could embolden Tehran while miring U.S. troops indefinitely.
Threats
Russia is Winning the Information War in Iraq and Syria: UK General
Moscow is “better than us” in using social media to shape the strategic landscape, says a former deputy commander of the West’s anti-ISIS coalition.
Policy
‘It’s Complete Folly’: Hagel Says Trump Administration Can’t Threaten Iran Out of Syria
“I don't know what our foreign policy objective is in the Middle East or almost anywhere else,” says former defense secretary at Defense One interview.
Policy
Trump Officials Target Iran, Raising Question of US Military’s Role in Mideast
Some fear the strategy opens the door to strikes on Iranian forces inside Syria — and direct armed conflict with Tehran.
Ideas
ISIS Sees Opportunity as Syria’s Rebellion Falls
Religious extremists will try to inherit the energy of the all-but-defeated rebellion, just as they did in Iraq after the surge.
Ideas
The World Waits for Putin to Stop Assad. He Won't
As Assad begins an assault on Idlib, the last rebel stronghold, the world has fooled itself into thinking Russia will intervene.
Ideas
Russia Can Stop a Slaughter in Idlib
The Syrian province doesn’t have to be the site of another catastrophe. But its fate hangs on the decisions of outside powers.
Ideas
Ep. 19: Idlib and the future of Syria's Kurds; Yemen, RISK and more.
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
Syria Is Forcing Former Rebels to Fight Their Friends
The U.S. should withhold reconstruction funds until Assad ends forced conscription and makes other constitutional changes.
Threats
The Worst May Be Yet to Come in Syria
As Bashar al-Assad and Russia prepare to assault Idlib, there are up to 3 million people with nowhere to go.
Ideas
Ep. 18: Gayle Lemmon on Syria, Afghanistan's future; All about US Army Futures Command and more.
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
Women Rise as Raqqa Rebuilds Without the World’s Help
Local women and local security are reawakening the Syrian city, with few Americans in sight.
Ideas
No Matter Who Wins the Syrian Civil War, Israel Loses
Assad is Iran’s most important Arab ally; his would-be successors are Sunni militias and jihadists. Netanyahu’s overtures to Putin can’t change that.
Policy