Threats

Dempsey: Securing Syria’s Chemical Weapons Is ‘Feasible’

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says securing Syria’s chemical stockpile will be ‘challenging’ during the ongoing civil war, but it’s ‘feasible.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Inside Obama’s Syria Deliberations: ‘The Promise of More Discussion’

Insiders detail a reluctance to engage in military action, and a disconnect between the president and the national security options prepared for his review. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Business

It Isn't the Military's Place to Weigh In on the Syria Debate

Too many servicemembers are violating ethics by making their opinions publically known. By James Joyner

Business

Destroying Chemical Weapons is Really Expensive

Even then, efforts to obliterate the armaments is worth each and every dollar. By Ben Freeman and Faris Alikhan

Policy

It's Time to Revamp the U.N.

A sclerotic Security Council, and an inability to get major initiatives passed. Maybe it's time that the multilateral body is revamped for the 21st century. By Jim Arkedis

Policy

Putin's Authoritarian Incentives in Syria

The Russian leader isn't just saving Assad's power. He's trying to preserve his own authority. By David Rohde

Policy

U.N. Releases Report on Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack, But Doesn't Assign Blame

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon calls the attack a "war crime" but doesn't name the perpetrators. By Philip Bump

Policy

The Winner of the U.S.-Russia Deal? Bashar Al-Assad

Syria's strongman was effectively strengthened by a deal that lets him stay in power without the possible threat of U.S. military involvement. By Shadi Hamid

Policy

Kerry and Lavrov Agree on a Deal to Solve Syria's Chemical Weapons Problem

The 6 point plan would aim to have Syria turn over information on its stockpile, sign the Chemical Weapons Convention, and have it destroyed by the first half of 2014. By Connor Simpson

Policy

Obama’s ‘Nixon to China’ Moment

Obama has a chance to alter the global chessboard with Putin in a way not seen since Nixon worked with Mao. By James Kitfield

Policy

A Relationship or a One-Night Stand?

It's not clear whether or not the coalition of libertarian Republicans and liberal Democrats was a result of the Syria crisis, or if there's something longer term in the mix. By Alex Seitz-Wald

Policy

Obama Still Faces Plenty of Risks on Syria

Diplomacy has yielded plenty of initial dividends, but there are plenty of pitfalls ahead before the situation over Syria's chemical weapons is resolved. By Ron Brownstein.

Policy

Obama's Diplomatic Coup

With a possible agreement on Syria's chemical weapons with the Russians, the president reaffirmed America's global leadership during a time it was falling into question. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

The Return of Coercive Diplomacy

It is said "the power to hurt is bargaining power." But can the lesson of Obama and Syria be felt in North Korea and Iran? By Sam Brannen

Ideas

Syrian Caves a Window Onto the Conflict

It takes a village, like Maaloula, to understand the complexities of Syria’s conflict, and the challenges it will face to recover and rebuild. By Tara Sonenshine

Policy

House Intel Chair Wants Arab Troops To Secure Chemical Weapons

Obama's threat of war is working, says House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., but securing chemical weapons will need Arab League boots on the ground. By Sara Sorcher

Threats

America at a Crossroads – Able to Lead, or Gulliver in Lilliput?

We cannot pretend away what we have seen in Syria. Will we let Obama use the commander-in-chiefs tools or become Gulliver in Lilliput? By Michael Breen, Rachel Kleinfeld and Doug Wilson

Ideas

Obama's Wrong, Syria's Chemical Weapons Require Boots on the Ground

There's no way around it. Securing chemical weapons amid a civil war requires troops. By Joshua Foust

Policy

Putin Has the Upper Hand on Syria

Russia's president has the trump card in this geopolitical game, and the situation could not be any riskier for Obama. By Major Garrett

Policy

Syria Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Barack Obama

The president's policy towards Syria only puts his best and worst attributes on full display. By Ron Fournier