Ideas

Generals Should Not Have to Break the Rules to Prevent Nuclear War

Rather than criticizing Milley, we need to change the policy that put him in an impossible spot.

Threats

Australia Will Get Nuclear-Powered Subs In New Partnership With US, UK

Dubbed AUKUS, the new security partnership will increase focus on the Indo-Pacific.

Threats

Milley’s China Calls During Trump Defeat Were ‘Lawful,’ Conveyed Reassurance, Pentagon Says

Some Republicans are seeking his ouster, but the Joint Chiefs chairman is the first to serve a guaranteed four years.

Policy

Congress’ Afghanistan Oversight Marred By Politics

Lawmakers overwhelmingly postured instead of asking America’s top diplomat real questions.

Ideas

The Forever War is Dead. Long Live the Forever War

The fight against terrorism will continue, yet our body politic is weakened by double-speak.

Ideas

What Went Wrong in Afghanistan?

The next decade will produce many studies to answer that question, but here is a preliminary answer from a long-term Afghanistan watcher.

Policy

Biden Will Announce $60M Security Aid to Ukraine To Counter Russia

The White House meeting with Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy will also reaffirm the partnership between the two countries.

Threats

Not For the First Time, COVID Takes Back Seat to a More Pressing Crisis

The evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan depends on cramming people into closed spaces—during a global pandemic.

Exclusive Threats

Kabul Evacuee With Potential ISIS Ties Detained at Qatar Base

Up to 100 evacuees have been flagged for further scrutiny during the more comprehensive screening they received at their first stop after Afghanistan.

Policy

Biden Holds to Aug. 31 Evacuation Deadline, But Orders Up ‘Contingency Plans’ for Afghanistan Pullout

Military, contracted planes have airlifted 87,900 people from Kabul as of Wednesday—but the Taliban is now clamping down on who can leave.

Policy

US Has Evacuated 42,000 from Kabul; 16,000 in last 24 Hours Alone, Pentagon Says

The pace is still rising; Taliban have threatened “consequences” if U.S. forces remain beyond Aug. 31.

Threats

Defense Secretary Orders US Airlines to Help With Evacuation

It's only the third time in history that the U.S. airlines have been mobilized by the military.

Policy

US Helicopters Rescued 169 Americans Outside Airport; More Ops Could Follow

Biden “will mobilize every resource necessary” to save more, but U.S. has yet to test Taliban checkpoints. Meanwhile, fuel-strained air operations resume.

Policy

More Seats Than Passengers: Paperwork, Taliban Slow Afghanistan Evacuation

But the pace is picking up. Some 6,000 "will soon board planes," a State Department spokesman said.

Exclusive Policy

Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says

Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.

Policy

US Ramps Up Emergency Kabul Airlift to Get 5,000 to 9,000 Out Per Day

American commanders are in direct talks with Taliban, who now control all outside access to the airport

Threats

‘There Is No Afghan Government’: NATO Stops Aid To Afghanistan As Taliban Take Over

Stoltenberg says aid could resume to an “inclusive government." And at the White House: “We will have to take a hard look at how we proceed on any basis at all.”