Policy
EXCLUSIVE: Countries May Begin Backfilling US Troops in Syria Within Weeks, Envoy Says
In an exclusive interview, Amb. Jim Jeffrey also confirmed a breakthrough agreement that could restart the Geneva peace process.
Policy
Top Diplomat Slams ‘Endless War’ Cries of Campaign Trail as ‘the Echo of the 1930s’
“I get terribly worried. Because this shows total ignorance of what’s going on in the world today,” Ambassador Jim Jeffrey says.
Threats
Pentagon Official: We Didn’t Link Iran to al-Qaeda In Hill Briefings
“In these briefings, none of the officials mentioned al-Qa'ida or the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force,” DASD Mick Mulroy said.
Threats
America’s Free-Rider Problem in the Strait of Hormuz
“The United States has not been willing to walk away from the Gulf, so other allies may not step up to do anything because they know that if they don’t, the U.S. will.”
Ideas
‘End Forever Wars’ is a Sound Bite, Not a Security Policy
More and more Democratic candidates are echoing Trump’s pledges to withdraw from conflicts abroad. Few say how to do it, nor how it will make us safer.
Ideas
Not Even Trump Has Any Idea What His Iran Policy Is
The president canceled a strike because it was “not proportionate,” and then vowed “obliteration.”
Ideas
Trump Goes After Iran’s Supreme Leader
Having pulled back from a strike on Iran, the White House is trying sanctions on Ali Khamenei.
Ideas
Is There Still a Deal to Be Done With Iran?
Below the surface, there are faint signs of how both parties can exit the crisis.
Ideas
Worse Than Obama’s Red-Line Moment
Trump has now shown himself just as willing as President Obama to make empty threats that damage American credibility.
Science & Tech
White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The updated National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan adds an additional priority to the seven outlined in the plan from the Obama administration.
Policy
On Iran, It’s Trump Vs. Trump
The president’s 2020 reelection campaign looms large over the decision whether to retaliate for a downed drone.
Ideas
Bolton Keeps Trying to Goad Iran Into War
For more than a decade, he’s consistently promoted war with Iran. All that has changed are the pretexts he’s offering to justify one.
Policy
Shanahan Out; Army Secretary Esper to Be Acting SecDef
Trump tweets the news after reports that the FBI was looking into a violent domestic dispute from nine years ago.
Ideas
Iran Has Options and It’s Starting to Use Them
Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign has not forced Tehran to yield—in fact, it’s done the opposite.
Ideas
Deterrence Is Failing — Partly Because Iran Has No Idea What the US Really Wants
Successful deterrence requires clear delineation of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. That needs to start, pronto.
Threats
US Blames Tanker Attacks On Iran; CENTCOM Releases Surveillance Video
Military officials say imagery shows Iranians in boats at the tankers, handling a mine and trying to capture crew members.
Ideas
Trump’s Efforts at Election Tampering Are Growing Bolder
Having exploited foreign assistance in 2016 and gotten away with it, the president is already trying it again in the 2020 race.
Threats
Buttigieg Rips Congress Over War Powers
Navy vet's insurgent campaign has skyrocketed him to 14 percent in an early Iowa poll.
Ideas
Trump’s New Arctic Policy Has a Familiar Ring
Administration officials are talking tough on Russia and China, while picking fights with allies that are making U.S. goals harder to achieve.
Business