Policy

Assad Could Stay in Power After End of Syria’s Civil War

Officials are afraid that toppling the authoritarian could lead to a takeover by al-Qaeda backed Islamists. By Jordain Carney

Ideas

Obama’s Syria Policy in Disarray, Is Counterterrorism Next?

Syria’s opposition imploding “is a big problem,” warns Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Are U.S. counterterrorism operations inevitable? By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

U.S. Suspending Nonlethal Aid to Northern Syria

After Islamic Front fighters take over rebel bases, U.S. pauses aid shipments. By Jordain Carney

Threats

U.S. Could Begin Eliminating Syria's Chemical Weapons by January

The head of the OPCW said that the process to neutralize the chemical agents aboard a U.S. vessel could begin as early as next month. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

House Intel Chair Slams White House Outreach to Syria's Islamist Rebels

Mike Rogers says the administration's approach reflects their lack of strategy towards the ongoing conflict. By Sara Sorcher

Threats

How the U.S. Will Dispose of Syria's Chemical Weapons

Here are the details behind a complex process to remove -- and destroy -- Bashar al-Assad's most dangerous weapons. By Sara Sorcher

Threats

U.S. Modifying Ship to Destroy Assad's Chemical Weapons at Sea

Destroying the weapons will cost between $47-$61 million, and is to focus on 500 nerve agents too dangerous to be neutralized by other parties. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

WANTED: A Company Willing to Help Destroy Syria’s Chemical Weapons

Stuck with a stockpile and no place to put it, the organization in charge of destroying Syria’s chemical weapons is asking the private sector to help out. By Marina Koren

Threats

U.S. Considering Alternatives to Eliminate Syria's Chemical Weapons

Secretary of State John Kerry announced the search for options on Monday after Albania refused to destroy the weapons inside their country. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Is This the Best Option for Syria?

CFR President emeritus Les Gelb argues that the U.S. should pressure moderate rebels to work, at least temporarily, with the Assad regime in defeating the hard-line Islamists—the 'biggest threat' to both sides. By Bernard Gwertzman

Policy

Doubts Linger Over Syrian Weapons Disclosure

After U.N. certification, U.S. officials still unsure of the actual number of Syria's weapons making sites or their facilities. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

How Many Chemical Weapons Sites Does Syria Have?

Syria just submitted a report that details the scope and size of its chemical weapons sites -- but it's classified so it's still unclear just how many sites there are. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Why America Has to Work With Syria's Islamist Rebels

Washington's policymakers need to put the affiliation of Syria's rebel groups in the context of local politics. By Shadi Hamid

Policy

How Obama Botched a Chance for Peace in Syria Last Year

One year and 80,000 lives ago, the United Nations envoy had carved a path for a government 'transition.' But the White House and Hillary Clinton rejected it. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

Dempsey: Syria Is a ‘Long-Term Issue’

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says the problems in Syria aren’t going to go away any time soon. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Syrian Rebels Are Rejecting U.S. Strategy

The new rebel alliance formed under al-Nusra is a no-confidence vote in U.S. leadership. By James Kitfield

Policy

Why the United Nations Is Suddenly Relevant

President Obama is discovering that the U.N. Security Council remains the main repository for international legitimacy. By Michael Hirsh

Science & Tech

Vetting Videos of War

Conflict videos from Syria are notoriously unreliable. Here's one company working to authenticate the real ones. By Steve Ercolani

Threats

Obama's Final Pivot Away From the Middle East

The administration's reluctance to intervene in Syria may be the beginning of a permanent shift away from the region. By David Rohde

Policy

A September to Surrender: Syria and Summers Spell Second-Term Slump

Is Obama's power eroding quicker than before, or is this just typical of this stage in the presidency? By Major Garrett