Policy
Afghans Own Whatever Comes Next, Biden Says
Rejecting critics, President Joe Biden said the United States isn’t responsible for Taliban gains, civilian deaths, or worsening women’s rights after American troops leave.
Policy
Fighter Jets Leave Afghanistan as US Departs Bagram
Withdrawal from the mammoth base comes as officials continue to seek access elsewhere in the region.
Policy
Air Strikes Renew Battle Over War Authorizations
Some lawmakers are using Sunday’s strikes in Iraq and Syria to push for keeping a two-decade-old statute, but law experts say their arguments don’t hold water.
Threats
Afghanistan is ‘Not a Winnable War,’ White House Says as Taliban Storms Country
President Ghani leaves Washington empty handed, as Biden rejects Republican calls to reverse U.S. troop withdrawal.
Breaking News
Threats
Austin Asks Top General For ‘Options’ to Evacuate Afghans
Operation would need authorization from White House, which is not yet “actively pursuing” the idea.
Ideas
Don’t Just End the War in Afghanistan, Repeal the Resolution That Authorized It
No current threat remotely justifies roving presidential authority to wage war on multiple continents.
Threats
Pentagon Studying How Counterterrorism Fits Into Great Power Competition
The Pentagon has not previously discussed how to use counterterrorism capabilities for great power competition. Now that’s changing.
Threats
DHS, DOJ Look to Spend Big on Countering Violent Domestic Extremism
New money, new programs will fight what officials described as a growing problem.
Ideas
Redraw the Limits on Lethal Force Against Terror Groups
As the Biden administration reviews policies for use of lethal force outside war zones, it must be certain it’s not perpetuating a cycle of “forever wars.”
Policy
No ‘Boogeyman’: Why the Bin Laden Raid Might be the Last Unifying Moment for US Foreign Policy
The changing threat facing the country and a growing political divide means there’s no common enemy around which Americans can unite.
Ideas
Ten Years After Bin Laden, We Still Need Better Intelligence Sharing
Leaders should still apply the lessons we learned, when contending with China and Russia.
Ideas
Teamwork Led Us to Bin Laden and Can Keep America Safe
As we look back on the Osama bin Laden raid of a decade ago, three lessons stand out.
Ideas
It Was Never All or Nothing in Afghanistan
This is not something we hoped to see from national security leaders and a president we admire so much.
Threats
Petraeus Trashes Biden Decision to Quit Afghanistan
Pulling out now is an “unforced error,” the former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan said. Other former war leaders say the threat can be managed.
Policy
‘We Will Leave' Afghanistan Likely This Year, Biden Declares
But not by May 1. "It's not my intention to stay there for a long time, the question is how and under what circumstance,” the president said, at the White House.
Ideas
America Needs to Take Charge of the ISIS Aftermath
Two years after the fall of the caliphate, the world should not leave this to the SDF.
Ideas
ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s Sub-Saharan Affiliates Are Poised for Growth in 2021
A rundown on jihadi groups’ expansion in the Sahel and Nigeria, the Horn of Africa, and the continent’s southeastern Swahili coast.
Threats
Photos Reveal Damage from Deadly Rocket Attack at US Base in Iraq
Monday night's attack caught U.S. personnel in their bunks and destroyed contractor living facilities.
Breaking News
Threats
Rocket Attack Hits US Base in Iraqi Kurdistan; Casualties Reported
Five Americans wounded, including one US troop, and one non-U.S. civilian killed in attack claimed by an Iran-linked militia group, as indirect fire hits airport compound and other sites in Erbil.
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: