Policy

Obama, Iraq and the Coming War Powers Fight With Congress

To keep the U.S. fighting in Iraq, President Obama is quietly reconsidering the very Bush-era authorities he condemned. By Molly O’Toole

Ideas

John Allen: Destroy the Islamic State Now

What we’re facing in northern Iraq is only partly a crisis about Iraq. It is about the region and potentially the world as we know it.

Policy

How the U.S. and Europe Failed James Foley

The different U.S. and European approaches to abductions reflect a particularly grim fact confronting American citizens abroad. By David Rohde

Ideas

Yet Again, CIA is Concealing Information Americans Should See

Only President Obama can break the stalemate between CIA and the Senate over declassifying the 9/11 torture report. By J. William Leonard

Threats

U.S. Military Tried to Rescue Foley; Obama Defies Threats With New Iraq Airstrikes

Obama defies the Islamic State's threats to kill more journalists as U.S. hit Iraq with more airstrikes and possibly 300 more troops. By Ben Watson

Policy

Here Are the 7 Pages That Gave President Obama Cover to Kill Americans

A newly released memo giving Obama legal cover from extrajudicial killings is alarmingly terse. By Conor Friedersdorf

Threats

U.S. Escalates Iraq Campaign With Barrage of Weekend Strikes for Mosul Dam

American jets, bombers and drones helped the Peshmerga wrestle back control of Iraq's largest dam from Islamic militants. Kurds say the Ninevah plains are next. By Ben Watson

Threats

Obama Says Situation in Northern Iraq Now 'Greatly Improved'

While thousands of refugees are now safe, the larger concern about the rest of Iraq's security remains a dire and open question. By Matt Berman

Threats

In Search of America's 'Organizing Principle'

Sometimes an ad-hoc foreign policy gets the best results. By Noah Gordon

Threats

The Devolving U.S.-Russia Relationship

U.S. leaders need to talk to the Russians, not threaten them. By Jeffrey Tayler

Threats

Obama OKs $10 Million for ‘Unforeseen Emergency’ in Africa

President Obama is sending France $10 million in military aid to bolster the fight against Islamic extremists in Mali, Niger and Chad. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

U.S. Bombs Islamic Fighters in Northern Iraq

President Obama ordered the U.S. military to carry out targeted airstrikes against Islamic extremists who are rapidly advancing in the Kurdish capital of Irbil. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Summit Showcases Africa’s Progress and Pitfalls

The U.S.-Africa summit showed that as quickly as Africa’s economies are growing, so too is the terrorist threat. How the continent responds will secure its future. By Molly O’Toole

Ideas

The U.S. Needs a New Approach to Security in Africa

The time is now and Africa is the place to adopt a more comprehensive approach to security that serves as a model for American global engagement in the 21st century. By Scott Bates

Policy

At the U.S.-Africa Summit, Economics, Electricity and Terrorism

African leaders are in Washington this week to find ways to boost economic and security ties with the United States. By George E. Condon Jr.

Threats

Obama: America ‘Does Not Control Everything Around the World’

In a sober, somewhat resigned press conference, President Obama says the U.S. can’t solve every problem in the world. By Brian Resnick

Ideas

The White House Must Delegate More National Security, Officials Say

To manage the many conflicts happening at once, the White House is urged to loosen its grip. By Gayle Tzemach Lemon

Threats

Obama Dials Back Nuclear Disposal to Focus on Upgraded Stockpiles

The move reflects the administration's view that enough progress was made on Obama's 4-year nonproliferation push. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

What Comes After the Parallel Failures of Bush and Obama?

After Bush and Obama, how can presidential contenders truly increase America's ability to shape global events in 2016? By Ronald Brownstein

Threats

Obama Slaps New Sanctions on Russian Economy

The president escalated U.S. sanctions on Russia's finance, arms and energy sectors, declaring it the 'main tool' for influencing Vladimir Putin's behavior. By Marina Koren and Matt Berman