Ideas

Mattis’s Afghanistan War Plan: Be Patient, Convince Everyone

Roll back the Taliban. Tackle ISIS. Win over Washington. Build Afghan forces. Seek support from the American public. Sound familiar?

Ideas

Five Ways President Trump is Making Terrorism Worse

Terrorists are pleased to confront a United States that demonizes Muslims and seeks only its own advantage.

Ideas

The Trump Administration Is Making Good Policy

It’s the president himself who’s destroying it.

Ideas

Want to Reduce Iran’s and al-Qaeda’s Sway in Yemen? End the War

The US-Saudi-UAE-Yemeni-government plan to double down on a military solution is a recipe for disaster.

Ideas

Did Trump’s Riyadh Visit Trigger the GCC Flare-up?

Both the United States and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have an interest in a quick political resolution to this crisis.

Policy

Trump to London: Be More Afraid

Rarely does a leader in a liberal democracy embrace, let alone foment, fear. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump did in response to attacks in London, as he has often done before.

Threats

Trump’s Paris Decision Hurts More than the Climate

America’s withdrawal will leave the world hotter, more erratic, politically fractured, and facing toward Beijing.

Ideas

Everything That’s Wrong With That McMaster Op-Ed

In an op-ed, the Trump administration’s 'adults in the room' portray America as selfish, isolated, brutish, domineering, and driven by immediate appetites rather than ideals or even longer-term interests.

Ideas

The Trump Administration Just Missed Its Best Shot at a Military Buildup

In its first year, when big changes are easiest, the White House chose domestic cuts over national security.

Ideas

What Wounded Veterans Need: Medical Marijuana

The American Legion, representing millions of wartime vets, calls on Trump to loosen federal restrictions on medical marijuana research to help those suffering from PTSD, TBI, opioid abuse, and more.

Policy

NATO, Meet Donald Trump

A 28-member, 68-year-old alliance faces the conundrum of how to deal with the new American president.

Policy

Here’s How the Trump Budget Treats Cyber Defense

The budget hikes some cyber spending at DHS and FBI but cuts research and development.

Policy

Trump Budget Includes 1.9 Percent Pay Raise for Civilians, Retirement Cuts

Military personnel would see a 2.1 percent pay increase in 2018 under the proposal.

Ideas

The Trump Effect: One Path To A New NATO

The alliance must overcome three hurdles to revitalize trust and the transatlantic relationship, former senior NATO officials write.

Ideas

And So It Begins: Trump, Syria, and The Lessons of Iraq

With recent 'warning shot' at Assad, the US is trying to avoid escalation in Syria, not stoke it, sources say.

Ideas

There’s Less than Meets the Eye in Trump’s Saudi Arms Deal

It takes a lot of existing offers and future promises to add up to $110 billion.

Threats

New Tactics, Quicker Decisions Are Helping to ‘Annihilate’ ISIS, Pentagon Says

The military’s top leaders credit Trump for delegating authority and directing efforts to surround ISIS fighters.

Ideas

The US Just Bombed Pro-Assad Troops in Syria. What’s Next?

This could be the start of a larger escalation that includes direct military clashes with Iran or Iranian-backed proxies.

Threats

What the Special Counsel Appointment Means

The selection of former FBI Director Robert Mueller is a major escalation of the Russia investigation.

Threats

North Korea: The Military Options

What would a strike actually entail?