Policy

Congress Urges Obama to Make His Case Before Striking Syria

Several members of Congress are reminding President Obama of his obligation to consult with Congress before authorizing military action in Syria. By Michael Catalini

Science & Tech

Obama's Power To Set Cybersecurity Standards Is Limited

For the last three years, President Obama has been unable to get a cybersecurity bill through Congress. By Matthew Cooper

Threats

Not Yet! U.S. Still Determining Syria Attack Objectives

Obama administration officials are still trying to decide what objective they want to achieve with an attack on Syria, fearing additional chemical weapons use. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Syria: Mission Impossible?

President Obama is deciding whether to launch a military strike against Syria. The problem is, there may be no good way do it. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

Kerry Makes the Case for Military Action in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says it’s not about stopping the civil war in Syria anymore– it’s about ending the proliferation of chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

What the NSA's Compliance Data Tells Us

One piece of data, left unredacted in its report to Congress, appears to give more information on the surveillence program than the NSA has ever released publicly. By Philip Bump

Policy

50 Percent of Americans Say Obama Isn’t ‘Tough’ on Egypt

As confusion swirls around the administration’s Egypt policy, many Americans say it’s time to cut military aid. By Mark Micheli

Policy

Obama: 'We've Struck the Right Balance' on Spying

President Obama announces four major reforms to strengthen oversight of government spying programs. By Matt Berman and Brian Resnick

Policy

McCain's Foreign Policy Bromance With Obama

Fresh from a trip to Egypt on behalf of the president, Sen. John McCain compares his relationship with Obama to "a classic romantic comedy." By Abby Ohlheiser.

Threats

Interview with Ryan Crocker: Assad will Prevail 'Yard by Bloody Yard'

America’s premier diplomat would intervene in Syria if President Obama asked, even though it probably wouldn’t do much good. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

The Government's Real Problem With the Bradley Manning Trial

Despite a guilty verdict on most counts, the government still can't share intelligence. By Matthew Cooper

Policy

Obama Needs to Explain Why We're Breaking Up with Afghanistan

President Obama has switched from a message of 'we have to win' to 'we have to exit,' with little conversation in between. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Policy

Biden’s Passage to India Should Include Afghanistan

Obama’s Afghanistan drawdown won’t work without help from the world’s largest democracy. By Kedar Pavgi

Policy

Is the Military Underrepresented Among Top Administration Officials?

In the first term, 12 percent of top officials surveyed by National Journal had military experience. Now, that figure is 9 percent. By Brian Resnick and Brian McGill

Ideas

Here’s Why Taliban Talks Will Fail

Afghan negotiators insist peace talks with the Taliban will resume despite the recent collapse of efforts to get them started. Don’t bet on success. By James Kitfield

Threats

An Afghan Game of Chicken

By conducting a public feud, Obama and Karzai are putting their gains at risk in Afghanistan. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

Hard Choices for the New Middle East

Five strategic dilemmas the administration must address in the Middle East.

Policy

Americans Turn on Obama Over Foreign Policy

Once considered the president's strength, a new poll shows troubling signs.

Science & Tech

Technology Is at the Heart of Obama’s Second-Term Management Agenda

President pledges aggressive pursuit of innovation and accountability.

Defense Systems

Obama signs executive order to boost critical infrastructure security

President Obama has signed an executive order that seeks to better protect the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber intrusions through increased information sharing and the joint development and implementation of a framework of shared cybersecurity practices between government and industry.