Science & Tech

Why a Precision Strike Won't Work in Syria

The Kosovo model for a precision strike against Syria ignores two important things - they're not always that precise and there's no guarantee that Assad will back down any time soon. By James Fallows

Policy

U.S. No Longer Seeking U.N., NATO Permission to Strike Syria

Bypassing the United Nations and NATO, the United States is 'ready to strike' Syria with British, French and Arab support. By Kevin Baron

Threats

Kerry Makes the Case for Military Action in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says it’s not about stopping the civil war in Syria anymore– it’s about ending the proliferation of chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

The War After the War in Syria

The continued fracturing of Syrian fighters threatens any hope for reconstruction once the fighting dies down. By Joshua Foust

Ideas

Whatever Comes Next, Syria Is Forcing a New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East

President Obama is deciding how to respond in Syria knowing that most Americans are wary of another mess in the Middle East. By Kevin Baron and Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Pentagon ‘Stands Ready’ for Military Action in Syria as U.S. Warships Move to Region

President Obama huddles with his national security team to decide whether to take military action in Syria amid reports of more chemical attacks. By Kevin Baron

Policy

Obama: U.S. Influence in Syria is ‘Overstated’

In an exclusive interview with CNN, President Obama worries about getting involved in Syria, questions the future of U.S.-Egypt relations and suggests the NSA might need a public advocate. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

How Egypt Helps Assad

The U.S. is reluctant to get involved in Egypt - and Syrian President Bashir Assad knows it. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

With or Without U.S. Intervention, Syria Will Become Iraq

Old line in Washington: Syria will be another Iraq if the U.S. military gets involved. New line: Syria will become another Iraq if they don’t. By Kevin Baron

Threats

A Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria May Have Killed Hundreds

Specific details about the incident are currently unknown, but the attack could be one of the war's deadliest to date. By Dashiell Bennett

Policy

Obama Should Scrap that Russian Helicopter Contract, Too

The U.S. government is buying arms from the same dealer that supplies Bashar Assad's regime in Syria. By Sonni Efron

Threats

Interview with Ryan Crocker: Assad will Prevail 'Yard by Bloody Yard'

America’s premier diplomat would intervene in Syria if President Obama asked, even though it probably wouldn’t do much good. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Seizing Chemical Weapons in Syria Is Really Hard To Do

There’s a reason why President Obama and his military advisors are cautious about going in to Syria to seize chemical weapons: It’s not easy. By Lee Michael Katz

Policy

Want Syria? Convince General Dempsey

For more than a year, President Obama’s senior military advisor has deflected calls to send the U.S. military into Syria. Convince Gen. Martin Dempsey it won’t be another Iraq and maybe you’ll get your war. By Kevin Baron

Policy

McCain Is Wrong About Dempsey on Syria

Sen. John McCain wants answer from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Syria. But surely he knows Gen. Martin Dempsey isn't going to answer them. By James Joyner

Policy

Can Samantha Power Stop Assad?

Power understands the 'strengths and weaknesses of the U.N.,' says former Secretary of State Madeliene Albright. But can the woman who wrote the book about the birth of genocide stop the bloodshed in Syria without China and Russia? By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Egypt vs. Syria

Obama has to choose which crises matter most. By Joshua Foust