Threats
The Once and Future Insurgency: How ISIS Will Survive the Loss of Its 'State'
Controlling territory is at the core of the group's ideology, but it isn't everything.
Threats
As Mosul Battle Rages, Carter Heads to Europe for Anti-ISIS Talks
A long-scheduled gathering becomes a real-time assessment for the complex offensive.
Science & Tech
The Apps They Carried: Software, Big Data, and the Fight for Mosul
A variety of digital tech tools aim to provide coalition forces some sense of the dangers around the next bend.
Ideas
Unemployment Is Driving Males to ISIS, Not Poverty, Illiteracy
The Islamic State group’s foreign fighters are surprisingly well-educated, a myth-busting new study from the World Bank has found.
Policy
Trump vs. the Generals
As president, he says he would create a Syrian safe zone and swiftly draft a plan to defeat ISIS 'fast.' Here are the flag officers who say: not so fast.
Policy
EXCLUSIVE: ISIS ‘Will Fight to the Death’ for Mosul, Says Top Peshmerga General
The Kurds’ chief of staff, who dreams of Kurdish independence, hopes the American military stays long after Mosul.
Ideas
The Other Front Line: Iraqi Schools Need Our Help
The ultimate success of the coming military assault on Mosul will depend on reviving a shattered educational system.
Ideas
When Allies Become Enemies (Before the War is Over), Obama's ISIS Plan Has Another Problem
The U.S. wanted Turkish and Kurdish fighters to fight, but not fight each other. Now the administration is scrambling to keep local allies with their own interests focused on America's goal: defeating ISIS.
Ideas
Turkey Won't Solve Its ISIS Problem By Invading Syria
Erdogan launched an intervention in Syria, while gutting his own government's ability to confront the problem at home.
Ideas
How Obama Is Enabling the Next President to Launch Illegal Wars
If his administration gets its way, it would be even easier for future commanders in chief to take military action without approval from Congress.
Ideas
When Campaigns Smear Generals and Intelligence Officers
I worked with Gen. Allen and CIA Deputy Director Mike Morell. They deserve better than personal attacks and campaign lies.
Ideas
The U.S. Should Contain ISIS and Move On
It’s a wiser choice than the ‘destroy IS’ or ‘smash-and-leave’ options.
Science & Tech
Two Iraqi Guys Built an Armed Robot to Fight ISIS
The Baghdad Post says the machine-gun-wielding unmanned ground vehicle will be used in the effort to retake Mosul.
Science & Tech
Twitter Suspends Another 235,000 Accounts Promoting Terrorism
ISIS is losing territory online, too, as Twitter joins social media companies accelerating efforts to purge extremist speech from their sites.
Ideas
We Welcome China In Djibouti, Just As We Welcomed The West
Djibouti’s foreign minister pushes back on assertions China is elbowing Americans out of the strategic East African footprint.
Threats
Iraqi Troops Not Ready for Mosul, Nor What Comes Next, Says Top US Commander
But in Syria, the fall of Manbij is just one to two weeks away, Lt. Gen. MacFarland says in his final war assessment.
Ideas
Why So Many Foreign Fighters Flock to ISIS
A look at the factors that motivate people to leave home and join faraway wars.
Ideas
ISIS Is Switching Tactics in Iraq. Baghdad Needs to Get Its Act Together
As the Islamic State returns to urban terror attacks, Iraqi security agencies must learn to work with each other.
Ideas
How Not to Plan for ‘The Day After’ In Libya
Once again, the Obama Doctrine has encouraged improvisation over long-term strategy.
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