Policy
New Lawmakers Agonize Over Their First War Vote
For newer members of Congress, a vote to authorize training Syrian rebels will be their first time weighing military action. By Billy House
Threats
Petraeus, Crocker Support Plan To Arm and Train Syrian Rebels
In a letter to Congress, the former ‘dream team’ of the Iraq War is backing a plan to train and equip Syrian rebels. By Ben Watson
Ideas
Fight the Islamic State in Iraq? Sure. In Syria? Not So Much
There’s consensus in Washington about fighting the Islamic State in Iraq, but when it comes to Syria, things get messy. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
House Vote on Syria Expected Wednesday
Lawmakers in the House say they'll vote on authorization to train Syrian rebels along with a spending bill and 2 separate amendments just in time for pre-election recess. By Billy House
Policy
Congress Has 4 Days To Act on Obama's Syria Plan
Congress has plenty to tackle in its last week before recess, including whether or not to include language in its spending bill that would authorize the training of Syrian rebels. By Michael Catalini and Billy House
Threats
Islamic State Releases Video That Appears to Show Execution of British Aid Worker
The militant group had threatened to kill David Cawthorne Haines in a previous video. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
Here’s What Arab Militaries Bring to the Fight Against the Islamic State
How useful would Gulf Arab contributions be? In purely military terms, not very. Here’s why. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
House Republicans Find Obama's Plans in Syria 'Unrealistic'
Seeking more details on Obama's plans for Syria, House Speaker John Boehner said, 'Somebody's boots will have to be on the ground.' By Daniel Newhauser and Billy House
Threats
As the Anti-Islamic State Coalition Takes Shape, Turkey Remains Reluctant
While 10 Arab countries agreed to partner with the U.S. against the Islamic State group, Turkish hostages remain an obstacle to Ankara's commitment. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
Not Fighting the Islamic State Could Be Worse Than Fighting It
In defense of escalating the president's campaign against the Islamic State group. By Jeffrey Goldberg
Threats
Gen. Allen To Manage Obama's Strategy Against the Islamic State
Retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen is President Obama’s point man on the mission to destroy the Islamic State. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
How Much of a Threat to the Homeland Is the Islamic State?
Lots of things 'could' threaten the U.S. In the case of the Islamic State, does that danger justify another military campaign in the Middle East? By Peter Beinart
Threats
The Islamic State Fight Now Hinges on Arab Leaders
The Islamic State cannot be defeated without the broad support of ordinary citizens of the Middle East. On its face, this shouldn't be difficult. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Is Obama's Caution on the Islamic State Paying Off?
From a steep rise in support from the American public to an assertive Arab League and a new Baghdad government, there are some good signs in the fight against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh
Ideas
Beyond Airstrikes, How the US Can Accelerate the Islamic State’s Defeat
Time is not on Washington’s side, despite greater clarity of the military, political and economic efforts it will take to defeat the Islamic State. By Bilal Y. Saab
Threats
At Last, Some Good News in the Fight Against the Islamic State
Iraqi security forces, with U.S. air support, appear to be making modest gains against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh
Threats
Islamic State Militant Beheads U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff in Video, Group Says
As they warned they would, Islamic State fighters beheaded American Steven Sotloff, says intel group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'
President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Why the Islamic State Is Mostly a Network of Roads
To say that ISIL controls territory stretching from Aleppo to Falluja and up to Mosul is not to say that it controls all of that territory equally. By Kathy Gilsinan
Threats