Policy
Syria Says It Supports the Fight Against ISIL
The Syrian regime says fighting terrorism ‘is certainly possible through military strikes,’ but warns of a ‘double-standard policy’ on arming the rebels. By Ben Watson
Threats
US Will Destroy Landmines Everywhere But Korea
The ‘unique situation’ at the Korean Demilitarized Zone still prevents the U.S. from fully embracing the worldwide ban on landmines. By Ben Watson
Threats
Petraeus, Crocker Support Plan To Arm and Train Syrian Rebels
In a letter to Congress, the former ‘dream team’ of the Iraq War is backing a plan to train and equip Syrian rebels. By Ben Watson
Threats
Obama Says Still No Ukraine Intervention As More Russians Cross Border
After NATO released imagery showing Russian combat troops fighting inside Ukraine’s border, Obama refused to use the i-word—or offer military assistance to Kiev. By Ben Watson
Threats
Fort Lee Incident Now the Third Active Shooting This Year on U.S. Military Bases
The shooting incident at Fort Lee, Va., marked the third active shooter this year on a U.S. military base, and turns the spotlight back briefly on military suicides. By Ben Watson
Threats
U.S. Military Tried to Rescue Foley; Obama Defies Threats With New Iraq Airstrikes
Obama defies the Islamic State's threats to kill more journalists as U.S. hit Iraq with more airstrikes and possibly 300 more troops. By Ben Watson
Threats
So Much for Demilitarizing Ferguson, Here Comes the National Guard
After criticism of the militarized look of the Ferguson police, the Missouri governor on Monday ordered real U.S. troops to restore order. Here’s the difference. By Ben Watson
Threats
U.S. Escalates Iraq Campaign With Barrage of Weekend Strikes for Mosul Dam
American jets, bombers and drones helped the Peshmerga wrestle back control of Iraq's largest dam from Islamic militants. Kurds say the Ninevah plains are next. By Ben Watson
Threats
Mission Creep? U.S. Has Nearly 1,000 Troops in Iraq Now
The Pentagon just added nearly 130 new advisors to northern Iraq, elevating the exposure of U.S. troops to the risks of violence on Iraq’s new battleground. By Ben Watson
Policy
U.S. Signs 25-Year Military Pact with Australia
Australia will train with U.S. troops based on its northern coast for the better part of the first half of this century. By Ben Watson
Threats
U.S. Air Strikes Are Having a Limited Effect on ISIL
After more than a dozen U.S. air strikes in northern Iraq, a top Pentagon official says ISIL is far from retreating. By Ben Watson
Threats
ISIL Is Now a ‘Full Blown Army’ in Iraq
House lawmakers grilled State and Pentagon officials to find out why the Obama administration has failed to stop ISIL from carving up Iraq and Syria. By Ben Watson
Threats
Biden Warns of 'Repercussions' Over Ukraine Crash
Vice President Joe Biden said a passenger airliner bound for Malaysia was 'blown out of the sky' near the Russian border with Ukraine on Thursday. By Ben Watson
Policy
Special Operations Commander Says Burden On Elite Troops Is Here to Stay
Obama’s nominee to command special operations troops said more should be done to help alleviate the stresses on families of more than 13 years of frontline combat. By Ben Watson
Threats
Hagel Declares ISIL Clear and 'Imminent Threat’ To U.S.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warns Americans – and skeptical lawmakers – that the extremists carving up Iraq and Syria threaten ‘every stabilized country on Earth.’ By Ben Watson
Policy
Afghans Will Learn Who Their New President Is, Probably, In Two Weeks
Former finance minister Ashraf Ghani looks to be leading, but 30 million Afghans will have to wait at least two weeks to learn who succeeds President Hamid Karzai. By Ben Watson
Threats
Pentagon Urged to Focus on ‘Great Power Conflict’ to Save Budget
A panel of experts crunched the numbers on the Pentagon’s ‘least bad’ options for coping with sequester-driven cuts into the next decade. The results will surprise you. By Ben Watson
Business
Army's Gen. Campbell Picked To Lead Afghanistan War
President Obama nominated Army Vice Chief Gen. John Campbell to take over in Kabul for the final stage of America’s 13-year Afghan war. By Ben Watson
Policy
Obama Picks Dunford as Next Marine Corps Commandant
The question now is who will replace Gen. Joseph Dunford as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan to oversee the end of the war? By Ben Watson
Threats