Author Archive

Jonathan Masters

Jonathan Masters
Jonathan Masters is a deputy editor at the Council on Foreign Relations, and writes on national security and civil liberties issues.
Policy

NATO’s Largest Exercise in Years Will Test Alliance’s Core Ability

Held in and around Norway, Trident Juncture will test the bloc’s ability to come to the rescue of a treaty ally as tensions rise between Russia and the West.

Policy

Here's How Clinton and Trump Stack Up on National Security, Russia, ISIS and More

With foreign policy now central to the 2016 election, the Council on Foreign Relations offers this nonpartisan guide to the candidates’ positions on a range of issues.

Ideas

Everything You Need To Know About NATO

Here’s a guide to the Cold-War alliance that’s under pressure as it transforms itself for 21st century challenges.

Threats

How Powerful Is Russia's Military?

After years of post-Soviet neglect, Moscow is overhauling its armed forces in ways that could have regional consequences.

Science & Tech

Your Pocket Guide to How U.S. Missile Defense Works

Here's everything you need to know about the missile systems the U.S. maintains for its first- and counter-strike capabilities. By Jonathan Masters

Threats

How to Punish the Banks that Fund Terrorists

Terrorist financiers will have a harder time laundering money after France's largest bank agreed to an historic settlement for processing transactions from officials in a number of U.S-sanctioned countries. By Jonathan Masters

Threats

A Guide to ISIS, the Group That's Tearing Up Iraq

ISIS began its life as Al Qaeda in Iraq after the U.S. invasion, but have morphed into an extremely dangerous force. By Zachary Laub and Jonathan Masters

Threats

Everything You Need to Know About Al-Qaeda in Iraq

Learn more about the resurgent terrorist group in this guide from CFR.org. By Zachary Laub and Jonathan Masters.

Threats

Who Is al-Shabab?

Here's what you need to know about al-Shabab, the terror group behind the deadly attack at a mall in Kenya. By Jonathan Masters

Policy

A Tough Case for Strikes on Syria

Obama has several options to justify a military strike against Assad, but developing the legal reasoning will be difficult. By Jonathan Masters