Threats
Coronavirus Halts Military Travel In and Out of Iraq and Afghanistan
No one comes in until they've quarantined for 14 days, CENTCOM says.
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.
Ideas
ISIS Lost Its Land. Then It Began to Lose Its Ability to Inspire.
As with Osama bin Laden, the most intriguing fact about Baghdadi’s assassination was its location, deep in what was considered enemy territory.
Threats
ISIS Leader Baghdadi Killed Himself During US Special Ops Raid, Trump Confirms
Trump claims, against the evidence, that killing Baghdadi was administration's "top national security priority."
Ideas
How to Protect America After the Syria Withdrawal
Fighting ISIS just got harder—but it’s still possible, and it’s necessary.
Ideas
What the US Can Learn From Iranian Warfare
Tehran's approach to proxy wars offers a surprising lesson.
Threats
US Intel Aircraft to Remain Over Syria As Ground Forces Pull Out
SecDef Esper heads to Mideast, NATO to talk about the future fight against ISIS.
Threats
The US Literally Doesn’t Know How Many ISIS Fighters Have Escaped In Syria
“We just have less eyes on the ground to know for sure what is happening,” said one senior defense official.
Threats
Anti-ISIS Operations In Syria Cease Amid Turkish Assault
“The SDF is clearly focused on the northern border to protect their forces,” a defense official said.
Threats
ISIS Will Benefit from US Withdrawal, Says Retired 3-Star Who Helped Train Syrian Rebels
Michael Nagata says the move will embolden ISIS, Russia, and Iran — and could end the extraction of intelligence from thousands of ISIS fighters held by Syrian rebels.
Policy