Ideas
What You Need to Know About Aleppo
Because of the city’s importance to all parties in the conflict, fighting between rebels, ISIS and the Russia-Syria-Iran alliance is only expected to escalate.
Ideas
The Death of Hope in Syria
“I don’t think anyone can help us,” one of the last doctors in Aleppo says.
Threats
Iraqi Troops Not Ready for Mosul, Nor What Comes Next, Says Top US Commander
But in Syria, the fall of Manbij is just one to two weeks away, Lt. Gen. MacFarland says in his final war assessment.
Threats
As Anti-ISIS Forces Close In on Mosul, Coalition Leaders Focus on What’s Next
At a closed-door meeting outside Washington, the multinational group called for more post-conflict planning.
Ideas
Inside the ISIS Enlistment Files: All Jihad is Local
I analyzed over 3,500 leaked ISIS enlistment forms. Here’s what I found.
Ideas
What Comes Next After Raqqa and Mosul?
Obama is making U.S. special operators and locals do most of the fighting. When ISIS falls, Iraq and Syria need better leaders to keep this from happening again. So, what’s the plan?
Policy
Hillary Clinton’s Likely Defense Secretary Wants More US Troops Fighting ISIS and Assad
If the cards fall where many think they will, 2017 could be the year of the no-bomb zone.
Ideas
Inside Obama's Syria Choices (A Guide for Dissenting Diplomats)
Here are six ways we in the administration could’ve approached Syria differently – and why we didn’t.
Ideas
If Diplomacy Fails, Then What for Syria?
What leverage has a United States that is so reluctant to fight?
Ideas
Petty Officer Keating Died 2 Miles From the Syrian Front. How Far Are You?
The war came to him. What will it take for it to reach the rest of us?
Science & Tech
The Future of Intelligence Sharing Is Coming Together in the Syrian War
Fifteen years after 9/11, America's intelligence community finally has a rapid, modern sharing system.
Ideas
Obama Drops Rhetoric as Assad Drops Barrel Bombs
As long as Syrian civilians are on the bullseye, nothing will be accomplished at peace talks.
Science & Tech
Are These Syrian Hackers Cyber Warriors, or Just Thieves?
The FBI added two Syrian hackers to its most-wanted list for cybercriminals, a project that's only been running since 2013 and includes individuals from China, Russia and Eastern Europe.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Mapmakers Are Using Social Media to Chart Syrians' Exodus
Officials admit the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's approach has its limitations.
Ideas
Putin Got Exactly What He Wanted in Syria
Russia pulls out of Syria, going home with the leverage Putin came for. The U.S.-led coalition must seize the moment.
Threats
Russia's Withdrawal from Syria Isn't All That Unexpected
It was never clear exactly what Putin wanted to accomplish, nor how his stay-at-home military was going to do it.
Ideas
Obama's 'Red Line' That Wasn't
Inside the president’s last-minute decision not to bomb Syria in 2013.
Ideas
America's 'Plan B' for Syria Has a Very Ugly Past
Dividing Middle Easterners along ethno-religious lines has a deeply troubled history. There's little reason to believe similar 'last-ditch' plans for Syria would be any different.
Ideas
Securing Syria Region-by-Region from the Bottom Up
We’re too focused on fighting ISIS and Assad and not enough on finding and uniting the Syrians who will govern after the war.
Ideas