Ideas

Yemen Has Become the Graveyard of the Obama Doctrine

The human costs of facilitating Saudi Arabia’s proxy war have been enormous, and there’s no end in sight.

Ideas

Progress or Oppression—You Decide, Obama Tells the UN in His Final Address

From mass migration to North Korea’s nukes, Obama’s lofty speech contained little guidance about how to resolve the world’s intractable problems.

Ideas

Powerful Countries Don't Nuke First

A no-first-use approach toward nuclear weapons is the policy of Goliath, not Gandhi.

Policy

McCain to White House: If You Won’t Establish a Cyber Defense Policy, Congress Will

‘Ignoring the issue, as the White House has done, is not an option,’ said the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman on Tuesday.

Science & Tech

The US Has Its First Cybersecurity Director

Gregory Touhill, a retired Air Force one-star, will be the first to hold the job, which was created in the wake of the OPM hack.

Threats

Even Duterte’s Slurs Can’t Break US-Philippines Ties Cemented by Chinese Aggression

Attention is turning to the Scarborough Shoal, just west of the Philippines, where many fear Beijing will build more islands to expand its control of the South China Sea.

Ideas

When Allies Become Enemies (Before the War is Over), Obama's ISIS Plan Has Another Problem

The U.S. wanted Turkish and Kurdish fighters to fight, but not fight each other. Now the administration is scrambling to keep local allies with their own interests focused on America's goal: defeating ISIS.

Ideas

How Obama Is Enabling the Next President to Launch Illegal Wars

If his administration gets its way, it would be even easier for future commanders in chief to take military action without approval from Congress.

Ideas

The Biden Doctrine

Has the vice president made a lasting contribution in foreign policy?

Ideas

Obama's Last Chance to Terminate US Nuclear Policy (Thanks to Trump)

Here are four ways Obama can make humanity safer from nuclear weapons before anyone else gets the launch codes.

Ideas

How Not to Plan for ‘The Day After’ In Libya

Once again, the Obama Doctrine has encouraged improvisation over long-term strategy.

Ideas

This is the War Against al-Qaeda the Next US President Will Inherit

Fifteen years after invading Afghanistan in pursuit of the 9/11 attackers, the U.S. is bombing a half-dozen more countries.

Business

Neither Clinton Nor Trump Will Be Able to Fix the Pentagon’s Budget

With the federal budget capped through 2021, defense spending will be an immediate first test of the next American president.

Science & Tech

Maybe the Secret Service Should Start Protecting Candidates’ Email As Well

Some private cyber investigators say it’s time the agency expand its reach beyond mere physical security.

Science & Tech

Obama Finally Decides Who’s In Charge When America Comes Under Cyberattack

For years, there’s been confusion in the private sector and among agencies about who does what when hackers hit the homeland. Not anymore.

Science & Tech

White House Wants 3,500 ‘Critical’ New Cyber Jobs Filled In 5 Months

One of the administration’s short-term moves calls for agencies to more than double the number of new people hired in 'critical cybersecurity and IT positions’ since October 2015.

Ideas

What Comes Next After Raqqa and Mosul?

Obama is making U.S. special operators and locals do most of the fighting. When ISIS falls, Iraq and Syria need better leaders to keep this from happening again. So, what’s the plan?

Science & Tech

White House Slates $19B for Cyber Defense. Next Step: Find Contractors to Help

The Cybersecurity National Action Plan seeks a 35% increase over last year's proposed budget.

Ideas

The Nuclear Football Goes to Japan

Obama will have the power of 22,000 Hiroshimas in the suitcase his aide carries with him. He still has time to change.

Ideas

The Latest Taliban Leader’s Death Changes What, Exactly?

Ask three people what they make of Mullah Mansoor’s death by drone and you’ll get three answers, none offering a swift end to the war.