Threats
Meet the Believers: The Afghanistan War’s US Commanders are Ready For a Reboot
What's different this time? New rules, new plan, new firepower, new hope.
Ideas
America's Longest War—and the Ally That Fuels It
How Pakistan has perpetuated the Afghan conflict.
Ideas
The US Military Needs a Teacher Corps to Train Its Partners
Much of the $70 billion spent to train Afghan armed forces has been wasted. Here’s how to do better.
Policy
Will Pakistan Close NATO’s Supply Routes into Afghanistan? Mattis Plays Down Possibility
‘I’m not concerned,’ the defense secretary tells reporters after the White House announced an intention to suspend military aid to Islamabad.
Ideas
Trump's Belligerence Toward Pakistan Isn't Unreasonable
His threatening tweet might signal increased pressure on Islamabad for its support of Afghan militants.
Threats
ISIS in Afghanistan Is Like a Balloon That Won't Pop
Thursday’s fatal attack in Kabul highlights the group’s resilience.
Policy
How Pakistan Is Responding to Trump
Pushed by Trump, Tillerson, and Mattis to do more to fight terrorism, Pakistan has instead taken public steps to push back in recent weeks.
Ideas
An Afghan Army Aviator Describes Iran’s Threats — and How to Meet Them
Beyond its support for the Taliban, Tehran is exploiting refugee flows and cultural ties between the countries.
Ideas
The Real Lessons of Vietnam — and Afghanistan
As the Trump administration reshapes American strategy, they should look to history for guidance, yet understand that it offers no blueprint.
Threats
The US Air War in Afghanistan Is Nearing Surge-Era Intensity
The latest figures from Air Force Central Command show that more bombs are being dropped than have been in nearly seven years.
Policy
The US Will Be Dropping A Lot More Bombs on Afghanistan
More air support for Afghan forces will help drive the Taliban to the negotiating table, Mattis and Dunford tell Congress.
Ideas
Closing the Taliban’s Office in Qatar Would Be a Historic Mistake
With no military solution in Afghanistan, the US needs credible interlocutors to end the war — like the ones who secured the Bergdahl deal.
Ideas
How Would Reagan’s Defense Secretary View the New Afghanistan Strategy?
Caspar Weinberger’s six principles for using military force are a useful lens on Trump’s newish path in Southwest Asia.
Threats
How Many US Troops in Afghanistan? Pentagon Changes How It Counts Them
A new accounting method ups the official total in Afghanistan from 8,400 to “approximately” 11,000.
Threats
How the US Can Pressure Pakistan
Can anything stop the South Asian nation’s support for militants?
Threats
Are ‘Restrictions’ Keeping Us From Winning in Afghanistan?
An Army intelligence expert and retired special forces warrior lay out what red tape the President should cut in Afghanistan.
Ideas
Trump’s Path to Indefinite Afghan War
President Trump’s much-anticipated Afghan policy rightly avoids troop withdrawal timelines but offers little prospect for progress against the durable Taliban.
Ideas
When Will Enough Be Enough in Afghanistan?
At some point, a president might have to acknowledge to the military: We fought hard, but we have other, greater priorities elsewhere.
Policy
Tell Me What an Afghanistan 'Win' Looks Like
Campaign-trail rhetoric aside, his inability to define victory was the most troubling part of his speech.
Policy
Full Transcript: Donald Trump Announces His Afghanistan Policy
“No place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms.”
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