Policy
Trump Says US Troops Will Leave Iraq ‘Shortly’ But Provides No Timeline
Pompeo said it would take place “as soon as we can complete the mission.”
Threats
Iran Is Our Top Priority, Says Senior US Commander In Middle East
Shiite military attacks have made it harder to fight ISIS, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said.
Ideas
Israel Needs Help Rebuilding Its Munitions Stockpile
The country’s ongoing campaign against Iran in Syria and Iraq has left it short of arms for a potential wider war.
Ideas
We Need a Better China Policy in the Middle East
With allies and direct lines to Beijing, Washington must do more to keep China’s presence in the region from becoming a threat.
Ideas
Trump’s All-Stick, No-Carrot Approach Has Brought Two US Adversaries Together
The blooming China-Iran bilateral relationship serve as a warning to U.S. policymakers.
Ideas
Force Won’t Much Slow Iranian Nuclear Progress, But Something Else Can
The historical record shows that diplomacy can do what force alone has not.
Science & Tech
Iran Is Increasing Its Military and Cyber Activity, Report Says
After a big drop in April, Iran’s conventional military activity is up. Cyber operations never slowed down.
Ideas
The US Takes a Small, Insufficient Step To Help Iran Control Its COVID Outbreak
A leaked USAF intelligence report highlights growing concern about the impact of sanctions amid the global pandemic.
Threats
Will the US Navy Sink Iranian Fast Boats in the Gulf? Maybe, Maybe Not
It may be time to formalize how orders are passed from the White House to the military.
Ideas
The US Should Help Iran Get the Coronavirus Under Control
Easing sanctions will help confront a global pandemic and win back some goodwill from ordinary beleaguered Iranians.
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
Iran Threat Remains ‘Very High,’ US General Says
Amid Trump's maximum pressure policy, Iran still “actively” trying to destabilize the region, says CENTCOM’s Gen. McKenzie.
Threats
US-Led Airstrikes Underway in Iraq; Retaliation Against Iran-Backed Group That Killed Americans
The operation against Kata’ib Hezbollah is targeting weapons storage facilities.
Threats
General Takes Blame for ‘No Injuries’ Declaration After Jan. 8 Iran Strike
“I was never under any pressure at any time to shade this reporting,” CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie told Congress. More than 100 troops later were diagnosed with TBI.
Threats
Iranian Proxies Killed Americans In Iraq, Pentagon Leaders Say
The attack has reignited tensions between the U.S. and Iran — and raised questions about whether the former is “deterring” the latter.
Science & Tech
Iranian, Russian, Chinese Media Push COVID-19 ‘Bioweapon’ Conspiracies
Disinformation about the coronavirus is spreading as quickly as the virus, thanks to the usual players.
Ideas
Iran Has Far More Coronavirus Cases Than It Is Letting On
The surprising number of Iranian government officials succumbing to COVID-19 offers a hint that the disease is far more widespread than the official statistics indicate.
Policy
Pentagon Defends Handling Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Iranian Attack
TBI symptoms are often “nonspecific,” the Joint Staff surgeon said.
Ideas
Iraq Is the One War Zone Trump Doesn’t Want to Leave
The president’s resistance to withdrawing from the country boils down to three of his main enemies: ISIS, Iran, and Obama.
Ideas
Trump’s Iran Strategy Isn’t Working as Well as He Thinks
The killing of Qassem Soleimani upended expectations in useful ways, but the U.S. isn’t in a position to capitalize on the turmoil.
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