Policy

The White House's Game Plan for Iraq: Run Out the Clock

The administration's messaging on its Iraq strategy has basically been: No ground troops—at least until 2016—so stop asking.

Policy

Exasperated White House Pushes Senate To Pass Surveillance Reform Bill

Without naming Rand Paul, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest faulted the Kentucky Republican for holding up legislation.

Policy

What President Obama Thinks on Iraq, Iran and Israel

Obama speaks about the state of U.S. policy in the Middle East in a wide ranging interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg.

Threats

A New Turkish-Saudi Thaw is Helping Rebels in Syria and Worrying Washington

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are finally working together to fight terrorism, and that’s good and bad news to the Obama administration.

Business

Obama Scales Back Military Equipment Sharing for Cops

After seeing how police responded to protests in Baltimore and Ferguson, the administration is changing the gear the Pentagon will share with local cops.

Threats

Obama, Gulf Allies Enter 'New Era' of Arab Defense

The president committed the U.S. to defend regional governments worried about America's engagement with Iran.

Policy

House Passes Amendment Requiring Obama To Pick a Hostage Coordinator

As the White House continues to review its policies concerning kidnapped U.S. citizens, the House may force its hand.

Ideas

The Best Way To Save Obama's Camp David Summit

U.S. and Arab leaders can launch a framework for security cooperation easily enough, but enduring success will require deeper thinking.

Policy

Jeb Bush Bets Voters Care More About Obama’s Iraq Than His Brother’s

With the U.S. public again finding its appetite for intervention, the real question facing Jeb Bush for 2016 is: What would you do about Iraq now?

Policy

Pentagon’s Budget, Middle East Summit Add Up to A Big Week in Washington

The House and Senate take up their respective defense authorization bills while the White House welcomes Gulf leaders for a two-day summit at Camp David.

Threats

35 Years On, It’s Time to Extend the Carter Doctrine

The upcoming Camp David summit may produce a long-sought framework for security in the Middle East.

Business

Marine Commandant, Air Force Cargo Pilot Tapped to Lead Pentagon

A former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and the head of Transportation Command will be Obama’s picks to lead the military during a time of swelling threats, widened missions, and budget uncertainty.

Policy

Four Key Areas for Japan-US Military Cooperation

While the new agreement most directly shores up defenses against North Korea, it could also help counterbalance a rising China.

Threats

White House: Three Americans Killed in Counterterrorism Operations

Administration officials said Thursday that one American hostage and two American al-Qaida operatives were killed during U.S. military operations.

Policy

Tom Cotton: Obama's Iran Deal May Lead to Nuclear War

The hawkish junior senator discusses the 'moderate' turn in his national security thinking, and why he thinks bombing Iran should be a viable option for the U.S.

Threats

Biden: Iraq's Momentum Is In The ‘Right Direction’

Vice President Joe Biden sets the stage for the Iraqi Prime Ministers’s upcoming visit to Washington.

Policy

Netanyahu's Secret Weapon

While the Israeli prime minister tries to kill President Obama's Iran deal, there's something more useful he could do to help his country.

Science & Tech

3 Questions on Obama's New Cyber Sanctions Order

An executive order permitting the Treasury Department to sanction 'malicious' cyber criminals leaves key details out.

Policy

White House Reversal Will Send Arms to Egypt

Obama sidelines his insistence on democratic reform, hoping to restart Washington-Cairo dialogue.

Business

White House Teases Its Support for Military Compensation Reform

President Obama signaled his support for changes to military pay and benefits, but told Congress he won't make a decision on what reforms he'll endorse until late April.