Threats
What Lies Beyond America’s Deadliest Day in Syria
The assault in northern Syria underscores why Trump wants to get out — and why that’s going to be difficult.
Threats
Army Chief Confirms US Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria
Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.
Threats
Confusion Reigns as Pentagon Begins Pulling Equipment Out of Syria
The timeline for withdrawal remains murky amid rocky negotiations with Turkey over the Kurds.
Ideas
Ep. 35: After Mattis + Shutdown’s effect on national security
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
America’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East is Not What Pompeo Claimed
In Cairo, the secretary touted stronger U.S. engagement in the region, all evidence to the contrary.
Ideas
The US Isn’t Really Leaving Syria and Afghanistan
Even if American troops come home in a timely fashion, they will likely return before long.
Ideas
The Kurds Have Been Betrayed Again by Washington
Time and again, powerful allies on whose support they thought they could rely abandoned them.
Policy
Trump Kicks Mattis Out Early, Names Shanahan Acting Defense Secretary
The abrupt decision comes amid a growing crescendo of criticism of the president’s snap decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
Ideas
What we learned in 2018: What's ahead for Syria + why ISIS is not defeated yet
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
To Succeed in Syria, Don’t Withdraw — Rebrand
The president’s plan is a disaster. If he wants to claim victory, there’s a better way.
Ideas
It Was Time to Leave Syria Anyway
If the gains won by Kurdish and Arab sacrifice completely depend on our continued military presence, then they were illusory to begin with.
Policy
Trump’s Abrupt Syria Reversal Confounds His Own Administration, GOP Allies
Hours later, White House officials had more questions than answers about the withdrawal.
Ideas
Don’t Be Surprised the Next Time Trump Ends a US Mission
No one knows why the president pulled the plug on Syria now, but NATO and South Korea should be worried.
Ideas
Trump Just Screwed Up the One Thing He Did Better Than Obama
His capricious decision to withdraw troops from Syria will create havoc.
Threats
ISIS Is Not Defeated. Pulling US Troops From Syria Would Jeopardize Everything
I just returned from my fifth trip to Northeast Syria in 18 months. If the US quits now, there are four winners: ISIS, Assad, Russia, and Iran.
Threats
Does a New US Goal for Syrian Training Portend a Longer Mission?
The military’s top general raised expectations for the Syrian Democratic Forces — and lowered them for a quick exit for U.S. troops.
Ideas
Trump's Iran-Centric Syria Policy Takes Shape
Congress likely won’t take action to rein in the military powers it granted the president after the 9/11 attacks—powers that Trump uses with the broad aim of countering Iran.
Ideas
Ep. 29: Ambassador James Jeffrey on Syria; Plus Sue Mi Terry of CSIS and Evan Medeiros of Georgetown University
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
Why the Idlib Deal Matters
Ankara’s U.S. ambassador says the Turkey-Russia buffer agreement can save even more lives — if other governments will help implement it.
Ideas