Intervention

If Trump Won't Lead in Syria, Someone Else Will

Unless the president can articulate and lead a plan, Syria’s future will be determined by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

The Return of the Iraq War Argument

The North Korea debate shows the enduring attraction of "preventive war."

The Iraq War and the Inevitability of Ignorance

The U.S. is destined to keep overlearning the lessons of the last conflict.

Don't Let Trump Fool You, He's Still No Interventionist

Despite the cruise missiles in Syria and MOAB in Afghanistan, if you’re anticipating another military campaign the size of Libya’s in 2011, prepare to be disappointed.

Seven Dubious Arguments for Not Fighting Assad

Intervention may not be the right choice. But we should at least be clear about what we are—and aren’t—debating.

'We Are Not Frozen in a Nightmare,' Says Defiant John Kerry

The secretary of state insisted America is more engaged in global conflicts with deeper impact than ever before, in a sweeping speech at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

The Legacy of Obama's 'Worst Mistake'

It's not just in Libya—the last 15 years of U.S. military interventions has revealed a troubling gap in the way America goes to war.

Resettling Syria's Refugees Would Be Cheaper Than Widening the War

It would also be morally and practically superior to the West's current selective intervention.

Debate Shows GOP Candidates Remain Divided Over How To Use the Military—and When

On national security, the Republican field continues to offer as many plans filled with blanks as criticisms.

Want To Intervene in Syria? Answer These Questions First

Even as the cries for action rise, the mistakes of past interventions — in Libya, Iraq, and elsewhere — demand forethought.

Expect Less Than Advertised As Turkey Enters ISIS Fight

White House officials called Turkey's new role in the fight against ISIS 'game-changing.' In reality, Ankara's escalation is likely to achieve much less than expected.

Before You Listen To Pundits on Iran, See What They Said On Iraq

To a degree that will baffle historians, the political-intellectual complex that made the Iraq War possible remains intact and powerful.

UN Ambassador Warns Against Intervention Fatigue

As the U.S. fights global threats from Ebola to the Islamic State, U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power warns against intervention fatigue. By Molly O’Toole

Does America Really Need To Be the Leader of the Free World?

An MIT professor and a war veteran discuss whether the U.S. should respond to every crisis that pops up across the globe. By Scott Beauchamp

Hagel Says ‘Indispensable’ U.S. Still Not the World’s Police

President Obama says the U.S. is ‘indispensable’ to global security, but for Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that doesn’t mean it’s the world’s police. By Kevin Baron

Has Intervention Helped or Hurt Bosnia?

The answer matters for world leaders faced with conflicts in countries like Syria and Ukraine. By David Rohde