Policy
All US Troops In Afghanistan To Withdraw By Christmas, Trump Tweets
The bewildering message came just hours after his national security advisor said the United States would draw down to 2,500 by 2021.
Policy
Trump Says He Wanted To Assassinate Syria’s Assad
The revelation further undermines the president’s assertion that he has stood firmly between the Pentagon and war.
Policy
US Announces Troop Cut In Iraq
The announcement makes public plans that have been in the works for months.
Ideas
US Punishes International Criminal Court for Investigating Potential War Crimes in Afghanistan
The court prosecutes genocide, torture and grave wartime abuses worldwide. Trump's executive order imposes on its lawyers and judges the kind of sanctions usually used on foreign terrorists.
Policy
Biden: Trump’s ‘Subservience’ to Putin Is ‘Humiliating’ to the US
“Never before has an American president played such a subservient role to a Russian leader,” the Democratic candidate said.
Policy
Trump: US To Withdraw 4K Troops From Afghanistan By Election
“It’s already planned,” the president said in an interview with Axios.
Ideas
Why Isn’t the US Compensating Families Torn Apart By Its Air Strikes?
The military’s first report on ex gratia payments reveals a dangerous stinginess.
Policy
To Block Trump’s Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down
Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.
Ideas
The NDAA Should Prompt a Rethinking of Costly U.S. Foreign Policy
The annual defense authorization bill offers a chance to end wars and programs that are not worth their price.
Threats
In Russian Bounties, Former Diplomats See Effort To Mess With US — But Not Much More
Moscow’s strategic calculus is much harder to parse.
Policy
Political Fight Over Russian Bounty on US Troops Appears to Warp Intel Debate
Democrats suspect the White House is trying to paint the assessment as less solid than it is.
Threats
Bounties Are Part of Moscow’s Aid to the Taliban, Current and Former Intel Officials Say
It's not yet a foregone conclusion, but Russia has long been suspected of helping the militant group.
Policy
Trump To Sanction ICC Officials Investigating Alleged US War Crimes In Afghanistan
The court’s top prosecutor found that the U.S. military may have committed “torture.”
Ideas
Trump Wants to Leave Afghanistan Before Election Day? Hold Him to It
None of the arguments for delaying the inevitable make sense.
Threats
Afghanistan Drawdown Continues Despite Violence, Ghani Announcement
The Afghan president said that his side would be resuming “offensive” operations against the Taliban.
Threats
Afghanistan To Resume ‘Offensive’ Actions Against Taliban In Blow To Peace Deal
How that will affect U.S. plans is anybody’s guess.
Ideas
Pull US Troops, not Diplomats and Development Experts, from Afghanistan
America’s interests are no longer furthered by military might in the country, but we can still help in other ways.
Ideas
What Will Iran Do As the US Negotiates a Withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Tehran is eager to deepen its influence on Kabul, the Taliban, and other Afghan actors.
Threats
Coronavirus Halts Military Travel In and Out of Iraq and Afghanistan
No one comes in until they've quarantined for 14 days, CENTCOM says.
Ideas
Finding ‘The End’ to Our Story in Afghanistan May Be The Best We Could Do
There are Taliban peace talks in my novel, too. No spoilers, but you can bet how that goes.
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