Policy
A September to Surrender: Syria and Summers Spell Second-Term Slump
Is Obama's power eroding quicker than before, or is this just typical of this stage in the presidency? By Major Garrett
Business
Inside Obama’s Syria Deliberations: ‘The Promise of More Discussion’
Insiders detail a reluctance to engage in military action, and a disconnect between the president and the national security options prepared for his review. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Business
OMB Puts Agencies on Standby for Possible Shutdown
As the fiscal year comes to an end, Pentagon officials were put on alert to prepare for a government shutdown. By Charles Clark
Policy
Republicans to Link Benghazi to Broader Foreign Policy Failures
GOP strategists want to make the case that the attack was indicative of an administration that has lost control. It'll be also used against Hillary Clinton if she runs in 2016. By Stacy Kaper
Policy
Obama Still Faces Plenty of Risks on Syria
Diplomacy has yielded plenty of initial dividends, but there are plenty of pitfalls ahead before the situation over Syria's chemical weapons is resolved. By Ron Brownstein.
Policy
Obama's Diplomatic Coup
With a possible agreement on Syria's chemical weapons with the Russians, the president reaffirmed America's global leadership during a time it was falling into question. By Michael Hirsh
Ideas
Obama's Wrong, Syria's Chemical Weapons Require Boots on the Ground
There's no way around it. Securing chemical weapons amid a civil war requires troops. By Joshua Foust
Policy
Syria Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Barack Obama
The president's policy towards Syria only puts his best and worst attributes on full display. By Ron Fournier
Policy
Kennedy's Battles With the Brass
JFK fought to rein in the military on multiple occasions. His actions may have prevented nuclear war. By Robert Dallek
Policy
National Security for Dummies: Syria Exposes D.C.’s Chasm Between War and Politics
For the shouting politico crowd, Syria is a political gamble between a ‘lame duck’ president and a weak GOP. For the natsec crowd, it’s geopolitical warfare best left to the adults. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Americans Staunchly Opposed to Military Intervention in Syria
New poll suggests that Americans want Obama to find another way to avert a military response to the crisis in the Middle East. By Ronald Brownstein
Policy
Obama: Securing Syria's Chemical Weapons Could Avert a Strike
Russia offers to broker a deal to put Syria's chemical weapons 'under international control.' By Marina Koren and Brian Resnick
Threats
From Missile Strikes to Mission Creep
A quick military strike in Syria would inevitably drag Obama into the broader and messier goal of regime change in Damascus. By Dominic Tierney
Policy
Obama's Last Chance to Convince Congress to Strike Syria
Having lawmakers back in Washington--and away from irate constituents--may be the way that Obama convinces them to shift their positions on Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Policy
Why Isolationism Is Back in America
The United States' mixed record on military interventions, coupled with an inherent skepticism of foreign involvement, has cooled any appetite towards a strike in Syria. By Ronald Brownstein
Policy
'Mass Chaos': Diplomats Warned Obama Syria Was Inevitable
For months, diplomats told the White House to get involved in Syria, or pay a greater price down the road. Well, here we are. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Can Obama Change His Mind on Syria?
The presidency has always been one where decisive action and leadership has been admired. So how should the administration's stuttering Syria policy be judged? By Charlie Cook
Ideas
How the 'War on Terror' Changed the Way We Go to War
The irregular nature of the past decade of warfare has emboldened presidents to order military action in other nations. Now Congress is saying, ‘Not so fast.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Post-Iraq Invasion Congress Members Demand a Vote on Syria
It's the members who joined Congress after the 2003 invasion of Iraq who are being the most vocal on demanding for a vote before any U.S. military action in Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Threats