Policy
Obama Prepares a 'Nontraditional' State of the Union Address
The chamber will push a pair of foreign policy bills as President Obama delivers his State of the Union address and Republicans prepare for their retreat.
Defense Systems
White House promotes whole-of-nation cyber deterrence strategy
In a much anticipated release, the White House finally provided congressional committees with its plan for protecting IT systems and infrastructure.
Ideas
Obama Says His ISIS Strategy Is Working Better Than His Attempts to Explain It
The president blames for messaging for public opposition, but there may be more to the story.
Ideas
What Is America Fighting For?
The United States has been at war with ISIS for more than a year. But you cannot beat a surging ideology without a higher sense of purpose.
Threats
Obama: ISIS Losing Territory, Influence As US Troops Push South in Syria
Speaking at the Pentagon, the president says an expanded war effort — ordered before the Paris attack — is ‘well underway.’
Policy
On Terrorism, Obama's Break from Bush-Era Thinking Unsettles GOP
Republicans believe defeating ISIS requires some dramatic, if vaguely defined, new military and ideological battle. Obama, by contrast, thinks America simply needs to not screw up.
Threats
Obama's Dog Whistle on Encryption
By linking encryption with terrorism, the president seemed to hint at a policy shift.
Policy
In Syria, Obama Treads a Well-Worn Path From ‘No Boots’ to Intervention
Here’s the recipe: downplay a U.S. military commitment, increase that commitment, deny breaking pledges to keep out.
Policy
Obama Quietly Signs Guantanamo Freeze Into Law — But Hints at Executive Action
The president gave the defense authorization bill his signature, but rejected what he called unconstitutional restrictions on his push to close the U.S. military prison in Cuba.
Threats
ISIS Will Remain a 'Serious Threat for Some Time to Come,' Obama Says
And a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to yield any change in Moscow's support for the Assad regime in Damascus.
Policy
Why Obama Is Standing by the Syrian Refugees
The president isn’t speaking to his opponents—he’s talking to history.
Ideas
A Horrible Day for American Leadership
In response to terror, a petulant president and a xenophobic GOP presidential field.
Policy
Do the Democrats Have a Strategy Against ISIS?
In the next presidential debates, Democrats should try laying out a plan to defeat the terrorist group instead of changing the subject or issuing vague platitudes.
Threats
Obama Defends ISIS War Plans, Says More US Troops A ‘Mistake’
The commander in chief defended his high bar for military intervention and contrasted tough talking ‘political games’ of his critics with his visits with wounded troops.
Threats
CIA Director: Paris Attacks Should Bring US, Russia Closer
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, some high-profile unity is emerging among formerly tense geopolitical rivals.
Policy
Creating Terror Is Easier Than Fighting It
Obama’s critics are hard-pressed to explain how they would lead a war-weary public against ISIS.
Policy
White House Delays Plan to Close Guantanamo, Again
The long-awaited plan, due this past week, has been delayed indefinitely.
Policy
Pentagon Transfers 5 Guantanamo Detainees to the UAE as Battle Over Closure Heats Up
Days ahead of signing a legislative freeze on Guantanamo into law, the president defiantly moves five from Cuba.
Policy
Intelligence Whistleblowers Need More Protection, Advocate Group Argues
A new report criticizes the White House for its heavy use of the 1917 Espionage Act amid complaints of retaliation against whistleblowers in the Defense and Justice Departments.
Policy