Ideas
The Obama Doctrine
This wasn’t just an address to the nation about Syria, it was a major foreign policy speech that finally spells out the Obama Doctrine. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
National Security for Dummies: Syria Exposes D.C.’s Chasm Between War and Politics
For the shouting politico crowd, Syria is a political gamble between a ‘lame duck’ president and a weak GOP. For the natsec crowd, it’s geopolitical warfare best left to the adults. By Kevin Baron
Policy
HASC Takes on Syria – But Does Anyone Care?
The House Armed Services Committee finally got its chance to debate military action in Syria on Tuesday. But does the committee really have any influence over Congress’ vote? By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
A Tough Case for Strikes on Syria
Obama has several options to justify a military strike against Assad, but developing the legal reasoning will be difficult. By Jonathan Masters
Threats
Hagel Dodged the Kerry Question Two Weeks Ago
What a difference a dodge makes. Hagel avoided the trap Kerry walked into, refusing to give Syria a say in U.S. decision making. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Americans Staunchly Opposed to Military Intervention in Syria
New poll suggests that Americans want Obama to find another way to avert a military response to the crisis in the Middle East. By Ronald Brownstein
Policy
Obama: Securing Syria's Chemical Weapons Could Avert a Strike
Russia offers to broker a deal to put Syria's chemical weapons 'under international control.' By Marina Koren and Brian Resnick
Threats
From Missile Strikes to Mission Creep
A quick military strike in Syria would inevitably drag Obama into the broader and messier goal of regime change in Damascus. By Dominic Tierney
Policy
Obama's Last Chance to Convince Congress to Strike Syria
Having lawmakers back in Washington--and away from irate constituents--may be the way that Obama convinces them to shift their positions on Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Policy
Why Isolationism Is Back in America
The United States' mixed record on military interventions, coupled with an inherent skepticism of foreign involvement, has cooled any appetite towards a strike in Syria. By Ronald Brownstein
Threats
Is Obama Making it Harder to Take on Iran?
The administration's decision to go through Congress could be setting a difficult precedent -- especially if tensions with Tehran heat up in the future. By George E. Condon Jr.
Ideas
‘War’ By Any Other Name Is the Plan
A war by any other name doesn’t matter. A strike on Syria is exactly what U.S. military is built to do and the Pentagon expects to do more of it. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Defense One Guidebook: Who’s Who in Syria’s Opposition
A primer on Syrian rebel factions, their aims, and their history. By Defense One Staff
Policy
Why Going to Congress For a Vote on Strikes in Syria Was a Major Risk
The debate over action in Syria comes as Congress is already swamped over the debates on fiscal policy, the debt ceiling, and other major federal government initiatives. By Norm Ornstein
Policy
The Syria Vote is Confounding Members of Congress
Faced by an election next year, a presidential election in 3 years, and an electorate exhausted by the war, members of Congress are reluctant to support a new military operation in Syria. By Beth Reinhard
Policy
How Syria Gives Rand Paul a Political Advantage Over Marco Rubio
The Senator from Kentucky has long had a non-interventionist stance on foreign policy matters, but the timing of a possible intervention in Syria may boost his national profile even further. By Beth Reinhard
Policy
Hagel the Grunt, McCain the Pilot, and Vietnam’s Effect on Syria
Vietnam combat veterans faced off in Congress over Syria on Tuesday, but when it comes to war, the difference between Hagel and McCain is about 30,000 feet. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Does Assad Win No Matter What the U.S. Does in Syria?
Secretary of State John Kerry admits that Bashar al Assad will ‘weather’ a limited U.S. strike against Syria for using chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Qatar's New Leader is Quietly Supporting U.S. Strikes in Syria
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has been working--albeit quietly--towards mitigating the threat posed by regional power, Iran. By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Jonathan Schanzer.
Policy