Ideas

Where’s the Coverage of Civilian Casualties in the War on ISIS?

New studies reveal important gaps in coverage of this aspect of the anti-ISIS operation, largely a war of air strikes.

Threats

Why Won't Europe Take Back ISIS Fighters from Syria for Trial?

Italy took one. Hundreds more languish while governments slowly decide what to do next.

Ideas

Ep. 47: Mosul, revisited (part two) with Mike Giglio and Dan Gabriel

We continue our remembrance of the Iraqi and coalition forces pushing the Islamic State group out of Mosul two years ago this week.

Ideas

Ep. 46: Mosul, revisited (part one) with Omar Mohammed of Mosul Eye

This episode we travel to Paris to meet the Iraqi historian behind secretive dispatches during the Islamic State group's occupation of Mosul.

Ideas

I Wrote to John Walker Lindh. He Wrote Back.

The American jihadist thanked me for my interest in the Islamic State.

Ideas

Why Baghdadi Risked a Video Appearance

ISIS faces dangers as an organization that are more significant than the ones Baghdadi does as an individual.

Ideas

ISIS Relaunches as a Global Platform

The Sri Lanka bombings were a preview of the Islamic State’s future.

Ideas

Egypt’s President Is Crushing Dissent — and Fueling ISIS

Even if the White House is in denial about al-Sisi’s harm to regional instability, Congress shouldn't be.

Threats

The ‘Caliphate’ Is Gone. Where’s the ‘Caliph’?

As the war on the Islamic State moves into a new phase, its leadership tries to adapt.

Policy

Now What? Congress Quiet after ISIS Territorial Defeat

The relative silence in Washington is a testament to the ambiguous nature of Saturday’s victory.

Threats

The ‘Caliphate’ Is Dead, but Americans Might Not Be Any Safer

Why a terrorist group with land looked so threatening to the United States.

Threats

All ISIS Has Left Is Money. Lots of It.

Even without a physical state, the Islamic State can still fund its main product: political violence.

Ideas

ISIS Might Come Back. That’s Just One More Reason to Get Out of Syria

U.S. military intervention cannot address the grievances that fuel ISIS. Nor does it protect American interests or serve our defense.

Threats

Trump: US Will Be Working with Mideast Partners ‘For Many Years to Come’

The president acknowledged that the Islamic State continues to pose a threat even though U.S.-led coalition forces have retaken 99 percent of its territory.

Policy

Senior Officials Downplay Trump Plan to Keep Troops In Iraq to ‘Watch Iran’

Some Baghdad watchers say the president’s remarks could imperil the U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

Threats

Army Chief Confirms US Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria

Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.

Threats

Confusion Reigns as Pentagon Begins Pulling Equipment Out of Syria

The timeline for withdrawal remains murky amid rocky negotiations with Turkey over the Kurds.

Ideas

What we learned in 2018: What's ahead for Syria + why ISIS is not defeated yet

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Ideas

To Succeed in Syria, Don’t Withdraw — Rebrand

The president’s plan is a disaster. If he wants to claim victory, there’s a better way.