Ideas
What Will Change Now?
After Paris? By now, the war in Syria has become so complicated that 'this doesn't change anything.'
Ideas
Syrian Peace Prospects Now Hinge on Long-Time Foes Saudi Arabia and Iran
Fighting in Syria cannot be resolved without some kind of accommodation between Riyadh and Tehran—both of whom have used proxies to prolong the war.
Threats
Bye-Bye ‘No Boots on the Ground’: US to Send Special Ops Troops to Syria
After months of looking at new options, the White House will send in ground forces.
Threats
A Who's Who Guide to the Syrian Civil War
The Syrian war looks different depending on which protagonists you focus on. Here are just a few ways to look at it.
Threats
Iran Joins Syrian Peace Talks as Assad's Profile Rises
Tehran’s foreign minister will join his counterparts from the U.S., Russia and Saudi Arabia to forge a path ahead for Syria’s political future.
Ideas
The History of No-Fly Zones Doesn’t Bode Well for Syria
Tough-talking presidential candidates want a no-fly zone to save Syrians. But nothing in the historical record shows a NFZ would work this time.
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.
Ideas
Resettling Syria's Refugees Would Be Cheaper Than Widening the War
It would also be morally and practically superior to the West's current selective intervention.
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.'
Business
A-10s Are Heading Back to War, This Time In Syria
Pentagon confirms Hawgs’ arrival in Turkey; details new deconfliction deal with Russia.
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
Women Are On Front Lines Of Every Battle Zone, But Not In The Way You Think
Through four years of horrendous civil war, women have handled local ceasefires, human rights abuses, opened temporary schools, and exposed local officials.
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.
Policy
Lawmakers Push US To Admit More Syrians as FBI Underscores ‘Risk’
The National Counterterrorism Center and FBI are concerned over holes in Syrian security screenings; 84 lawmakers are concerned over redundancies.
Threats
White House Once Again Weighing Intervention Options in Syria
After $500 million train-and-equip effort fails, what comes next?
Threats
Obama Cancels Syrian Train-and-Equip Program
The Pentagon now plans to focus on training just key Syrian leaders and sending more arms — and air cover — to fighters already on the ground.
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.
Policy
How Fear Slammed America’s Door on Syrian Refugees
As millions flee from war to uncertainty or death, ‘national security concerns’ have kept US arrivals to a trickle.
Threats