Exclusive Policy

Coalition Plans To Expand Giant ISIS Prison In Syria

The UK-funded effort signals no answer in sight to the thousands of foreign and Syrian detainees.

Policy

Exclusive: Longtime US Diplomat Weighs America’s Legacy in Syria

The immediate damage of the Turkish invasion has been repaired, Bill Roebuck says, but warns ISIS could reemerge without more U.S. assistance.

Threats

Outgoing Syria Envoy Admits Hiding US Troop Numbers; Praises Trump’s Mideast Record

‘We were always playing shell games,’ says Amb. Jim Jeffrey, who also gives advice to President-elect Biden.

Policy

US Charges ISIS ‘Beatles’ In Virginia Court

Kotey and Elsheikh each face 14 charges, all of which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Exclusive Threats

Exclusive: US Drops Death Penalty for ISIS ‘Beatles’

Atty. Gen. Barr's letter to the UK brings two ISIS fighters accused of beheading American journalists and aid workers closer to a U.S. trial.

Threats

Mozambique Is Emerging As The Next Islamic Extremist Hotspot

A terror group affiliated with the Islamic State has been stepping up tactics and claiming bigger targets.

Threats

A ‘Mass Breakout’ of ISIS from Syrian Prisons Remains a Risk, Pentagon Watchdog Says

The coalition has had “little or no direct access” to the facilities since Turkey’s October invasion.

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.

Ideas

The Inconvenient Truth About ISIS

The group is even bigger now, and America’s conflict with Iran is only making the fight against it more complicated.

Threats

The Iraq War Has Cost the US Nearly $2 Trillion

The figure includes $838 billion in “emergency” and “overseas contingency operation” funding and $59 billion spent by the State Department and USAID on Iraq and Syria.

Ideas

ISIS Is No Reason to Stay in Iraq

Don’t take the wrong conclusion from recent news about the group’s “resurgence.”

Ideas

Don’t Let Iran Tensions Stop the Battle Against ISIS

My recent journey through northern Iraq revealed how fragile the region remains, and how extremism could once again take root.

Threats

About 600 US Troops to Remain in Syria, Esper Says

But for what mission? Pentagon chief says Trump’s focus on "keeping" oil is part of fighting ISIS.

Ideas

Pay More Attention to the Women of ISIS

Many are victims of the terrorist group. But others have demonstrated their resolve to use violence and seek revenge for the Caliphate.

Threats

General: Trump Pullout Did Not Affect Baghdadi Raid Timing

“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.

Ideas

Killing Terrorist Leaders Gets Attention, But It Doesn’t Stop Terrorism

Baghdadi’s death is indeed a turning point in the War on Terror, just as Osama bin Laden’s was in 2011. It’s just not clear what the war is turning to.

Ideas

Syrian Women Helped Find Baghdadi, Beat ISIS, Will Face ‘Tough Time’ Ahead, Leader Says

'We will continue our resistance and our struggle,' says the head of the all-women’s YPJ, in a rare interview.