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
US Troops, Armor Will ‘Secure’ Oil Fields in Syria, Says SecDef in New Reversal
The U.S. might also maintain “one of our two airfields that are there,” said America’s envoy to Syria to lawmakers.
Ideas
The Consequences of Donald Trump Washing His Hands of the Middle East
The short-term costs have been brutal, but the longer-term ones could be far more significant.
Threats
Trump Declares Victory in Syria, Claims Credit for It All
“Let someone else fight over this long-bloodstained sand,” the president says, as Congress fumes.
Ideas
The US Has Supported Lebanon’s Corrupt Ruling Class Long Enough
As protestors rage against oligarchs, the United States should end its stability-minded approach and foster political and economic reform.
Ideas
10 Ways America’s Situation in the Middle East Will Get Worse
The Syrian pullout and the Iraqi instability are undermining U.S. national-security interests.
Threats
Top SDF Commander: Turkey Blocking Kurds’ Retreat; Urges Trump to ‘Stop This War’
“I am asking President Trump right now to fulfill his promise to us and stop this war,” Mazlum Abdi told Defense One by phone.
Ideas
10 Hard Realities of America’s Next Syria Policy
The troops are leaving, but the U.S. still has regional and global interests in what happens there.
Ideas
Ep. 57: The Future of the U.S. Military in Syria (for now)
Three Middle East experts forecast likely consequences and the longterm costs of the U.S. military withdrawing from northern Syria.
Ideas
LIVESTREAM: 2019 Global Security Forum Day 2
The two-day conference will explore the security challenges of modern disinformation and its implications for an increasingly interconnected world.
Ideas
‘Silent Warriors’ Speak Out Against Trump’s Syria Turnaround
America’s elite special operators are breaking their wall of silence like never before, 'betrayed' by Trump’s decision to pull back in Syria and erase years of hard work. But are they too late?
Ideas
LIVESTREAM: 2019 Global Security Forum Day 1
The two-day conference will explore the security challenges of modern disinformation and its implications for an increasingly interconnected world.
Ideas
'By, With, Through' Was the Best Hope for Syria — And Ending 'Endless Wars'
The U.S. acquiescence to Turkey’s invasion abandons an effective Kurdish partner, but also a creative model that was working.
Policy
Why US Officials Say Trump is Flexing on Foreign Policy
“Trump has been Trump in foreign policy—but the safety nets are gone,” said one senior national security official, of the president’s Syria decision.
Ideas
The Forever War Fought by America’s Allies
The U.S.-backed soldiers who battled ISIS across Syria and Iraq could be locked in the struggle for a very long time.
Threats
As Assault Begins, Trump Vows to Make Turkey Keep Its Word While Lawmakers Vow Punishment
The president said 'far more than sanctions' awaits Turkey if its assault taking over northern Syria is not 'as humane as possible.'
Ideas
'It Didn't Have to Be This Way': Just-Retired CENTCOM General
Trump's decision "threatens to undo five years’ worth of fighting against ISIS and will severely damage American credibility and reliability," writes Joseph Votel, who until March led America's forces in the Mideast.
Threats
Syrian Decision Rekindles Fear of ISIS Prison Breaks
Pentagon and State Department officials have raised alarms for months about the makeshift prisons.
Ideas
The Most Dangerous Moment of the Trump Presidency
The U.S. president has never clarified what he wants from Iran. Now all of his real options are bad.
Ideas