Ideas

America's Longest War—and the Ally That Fuels It

How Pakistan has perpetuated the Afghan conflict.

Threats

Shrugging Toward Doomsday

Experts warn that the world is now as dangerous as it was at the height of the Cold War. Many Americans already know it.

Threats

Trump's Red Line on North Korea Gets Fuzzier

Mike Pompeo adds a few caveats to America's strategy.

Ideas

How Should the Pentagon Reshape Its Mideast Posture? Four Indicators to Watch

A tour of possible scenarios reveals what U.S. policymakers ought to be focused on as they chart the future of regional force posture.

Ideas

We Don't Need a Bigger Nuclear Button

The plan outlined in a draft of the Nuclear Posture Review would cost trillions of dollars — and make Americans no safer.

Policy

UPDATED: See Who Gets Sent Home in a Shutdown

Some agencies would furlough virtually everyone, while others would remain completely open if there is a lapse in appropriations.

Ideas

What if H.R. McMaster Is Right About North Korea?

It’s reassuring to think the country wants only a defensive capability. It could very easily be wrong.

Threats

The Misleading Math in the Trump Administration’s ‘Foreign Terrorists’ Report

The Jan. 16 report counts people extradited to the U.S. and doesn’t count American white supremacists.

Policy

Just One in Six Feds Say They’re Excited to Implement Trump's Agenda

Most federal employees report feeling disrespected by the president; many say they will leave federal service soon.

Ideas

Look to Norway? Yes.

Norwegian resistance once held off the Nazis. Today, Norway is resisting Russia’s meddling better than Trump, say some senators. Here's how.

Policy

Shutdown, Surveillance Deadlines Loom Over Congress

A pair of lawmakers also proposed a pay raise for federal employees.

Ideas

Hawaii's Nuclear Wakeup Call (and Why We Should Take MLK's Advice)

The Cold War brought plenty of false alarms — but nothing like the situation we face today.

Policy

The World According to H.R. McMaster

Why is he so worried about North Korea?

Ideas

Pakistan Will Try to Make Trump Pay

The country has banked on being treated as too dangerous to fail. But this time could be different.

Policy

Pakistan's Week Keeps Getting Worse

The administration suspended security aid for what it says is Islamabad’s failure to take “decisive action” against terrorists.

Ideas

What Trump Got Right in Foreign Policy in 2017

For one thing, the Islamic State is largely defeated.

Ideas

Waiting for the Bomb to Drop

There are sounds, for those who can hear them, of the preliminary and muffled drumbeats of war.

Ideas

Trump's Belligerence Toward Pakistan Isn't Unreasonable

His threatening tweet might signal increased pressure on Islamabad for its support of Afghan militants.

Ideas

Where We're Headed in 2018

You can bet there will be new crises, weapons, leaders, and technologies to come. And, oh yes, there will be tweets.

Ideas

When the War Comes, What Should We Civilians Do?

The military can’t do it all. The US needs a national civilian emergency corps, trained and ready to help in case of the next disaster, be it cyber, nuclear, or natural.