Threats

Will Russia Compel NATO to Spend More on Defense?

For two decades, the U.S. has been nagging allies to pay their share of NATO costs. Now, thanks to Russia, that could change. By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Obama Just Used the Most Forceful Language Against Russia Since Reagan

No U.S. president since Ronald Reagan has used such forceful language against Russia. By David Frum

Business

What to Expect From Obama's Resurgent Intel Advisory Panel

The president's Intelligence Advisory Board had only 4 members a year ago. Will the panel's 6 new appointees hit the ground running? By Aliya Sternstein

Policy

The Summer of Obama's Caution and America's Discontent

Americans don't seem to like a hawkish president, but they definitely don't like a weak one, either. By Ron Fournier

Policy

Obama to Push NATO's Renewed Purpose

There's been lots of bluster about Putin's destabilizing work in eastern Ukraine. But will the alliance really stand up in the name of Baltic security? By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

The Fierce Minimalism of Barack Obama

Obama’s critics often claim he doesn’t have a strategy in the greater Middle East. That’s wrong. To understand it, we must go back 7 summers. By Peter Beinart

Policy

Behind Obama's Hesitation on Syria

Obama's caution reflects both the lawyer that he is and a deliberate turn away from his predecessor, who often neglected to weigh all the consequences of his decisions. By George F. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Is There a Plan to Attack in Syria or Not?

White House and Pentagon spokesmen spent Friday explaining that the president and the Joint Chiefs have some plans to strike in Syria, but there is no plan. By Kevin Baron

Threats

Obama Says Still No Ukraine Intervention As More Russians Cross Border

After NATO released imagery showing Russian combat troops fighting inside Ukraine’s border, Obama refused to use the i-word—or offer military assistance to Kiev. By Ben Watson

Threats

Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'

President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron

Business

How Obama Plans to Fix Veterans’ Mental Health Care

On Tuesday, the White House unveiled more steps to improve wounded veterans care. By Eric Katz

Policy

Republicans Recycle ‘Containment’ Line for Obama’s Iraq Strategy

Republicans once again hit Obama for ‘containment’ – painting the president as weak for not doing more to attack the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole

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