Policy
Goodbye, Mattis. Goodbye, Syria. Hello, 2019
Dramatic shifts abound as Trump puts US military’s war plans in doubt, Democrats resurge in Congress, and the Pentagon gets a new boss.
Ideas
Meet the New (Acting) US Defense Secretary
With no military experience and just a year and a half in government, the former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan has yet to develop a foreign-policy vision of his own.
Ideas
What we learned in 2018: Averting war with North Korea
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
The Kurds Have Been Betrayed Again by Washington
Time and again, powerful allies on whose support they thought they could rely abandoned them.
Policy
Trump Kicks Mattis Out Early, Names Shanahan Acting Defense Secretary
The abrupt decision comes amid a growing crescendo of criticism of the president’s snap decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
Ideas
What we learned in 2018: What's ahead for Syria + why ISIS is not defeated yet
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
A Giant Repair Job Awaits the First Post-Trump SecDef
It will be a rebuilding project the likes of which has not been seen since the Vietnam War.
Policy
The ‘Nightmare Scenario’ Has Happened and You’re to Blame
Trump’s withdrawal from from Syria is what military leaders feared — and exactly what he promised.
Ideas
James Mattis’s Final Protest Against the President
The defense secretary, who resigned on Thursday, was one of the last senior officials in the government who could constrain Donald Trump.
Ideas
Congress Must Face the Truth about Trump
Mattis is telling you that the president lacks respect for allies and a clear-eyed view of malign actors and strategic competitors.
Policy
Mattis Resigns Over Disagreements with Trump
In two-page resignation letter, defense secretary cites need to treat allies with respect, potential adversaries with resolve.
Ideas
It Was Time to Leave Syria Anyway
If the gains won by Kurdish and Arab sacrifice completely depend on our continued military presence, then they were illusory to begin with.
Policy
Trump’s Abrupt Syria Reversal Confounds His Own Administration, GOP Allies
Hours later, White House officials had more questions than answers about the withdrawal.
Ideas
Don’t Be Surprised the Next Time Trump Ends a US Mission
No one knows why the president pulled the plug on Syria now, but NATO and South Korea should be worried.
Ideas
Trump Just Screwed Up the One Thing He Did Better Than Obama
His capricious decision to withdraw troops from Syria will create havoc.
Policy
Trump’s Space Force Request Is Coming — But Final Form Remains Hazy
Will his proposed space organization more resemble the Air Force or the Marines? Pence didn’t say.
Ideas
Want NATO Allies to Boost Defense Spending? Don’t Build Fort Trump
Basing an American division in Poland will reduce allies’ incentive to build up their own forces.
Policy
From Small Wars to Great Power, Trump’s Africa Reset Could Change US Military’s Role
The U.S. is cutting 10 percent of its counterterrorism troops in Africa. Will China and Russia fill the gap?
Ideas
'I Am Proud to Shut Down the Government,' Trump Says During Fight with Democrats
The president made his position clear, saying he will “take the blame” if some federal agencies close.
Threats