Ideas
China’s Risky Middle East Bet
Beijing believes it can focus on economic development and avoid any role in political affairs—but that assumption will likely prove naive.
Ideas
A Warlord Rises in Libya, and Trump Is Praising Him
It's Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan general who is leading his forces against the government the U.S. still officially backs.
Ideas
Protesters in Sudan and Algeria Have Learned From the Arab Spring
The demonstrations have their own local characteristics, but there are several parallels.
Business
Pentagon’s Focus On China and Russia Expected to Alter US Arms Sales
A new report shows a decline in Middle Eastern nations’ share of overall exports.
Policy
The ‘Day After’ In Syria Finally Came. But What Comes Next?
If U.S. military commanders were unsure of their mission four years ago, it’s even muddier today.
Threats
ISIS Is ‘Waiting for the Right Time to Resurge’: CENTCOM Commander
Gen. Joseph Votel offered lawmakers warnings on Syria — and an upbeat message on Afghanistan.
Ideas
I Ran the Air War Over Gaddafi. Here's Why The US Should Stop Backing the Yemen War
One hopes Jared Kushner said it in Saudi Arabia, but Congress should curtail the Pentagon’s participation in this war.
Threats
Pentagon Wins a Reprieve with Trump Approval of ‘Residual’ Forces in Syria
General Dunford is “confident” U.S. allies will now agree to stay, but for how long remains undetermined.
Ideas
Sunni Jihad Is Going Local
Future extremists will focus not on exporting violence to the West, but on building influence in their own communities.
Ideas
Ep. 35: After Mattis + Shutdown’s effect on national security
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Ideas
America’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East is Not What Pompeo Claimed
In Cairo, the secretary touted stronger U.S. engagement in the region, all evidence to the contrary.
Ideas
Moscow’s Little-Noticed Islamic-Outreach Effort
Russia is promoting Islamic moderation in unison with Arab powers—and further cementing its position in the Middle East.
Policy
Trump Just Killed His Own Defense Strategy
The commander in chief has torn up 17 years of counterterrorism plans, offering instead his strange mix of talking points and lies.
Ideas
The Biggest Nuclear Threats of 2018 Will Follow Us into the New Year
We whistled past the graveyard this year. Let’s be smarter in 2019.
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.
Policy
The ‘Nightmare Scenario’ Has Happened and You’re to Blame
Trump’s withdrawal from from Syria is what military leaders feared — and exactly what he promised.
Ideas
Ep. 31: The true origins of ISIS and the future of counterterrorism with Hassan Hassan
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Policy
The Senate is Poised to Pass the Yemen Resolution. Now What?
The House is almost certain not to take up the measure while Republicans are still in control. But what about next year?
Policy
The CIA Presented a ‘Smoking Gun’ on Khashoggi. What’s the Senate Going to Do About it?
Lindsey Graham and others emerged from a CIA briefing convinced that Trump and SecDef Mattis are wrong about the murder.
Policy
Decoding the Dance of Power: How Leaders Met MBS at the G20
With the killing of Jamal Khashoggi hanging over the Argentina summit, how leaders interacted with the Saudi crown prince revealed their relative positions of power.
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