Ideas
The End of the Cold War Between the US and Iran Could Be Near
Three decades of animosity between Washington and Tehran may be transitioning to something new: a working bilateral relationship.
Ideas
The Iran Nuclear Deal, in 3 Charts
Thursday's framework agreement was a start, but there are hundreds of areas where a final deal could be derailed.
Threats
Obama’s Next Iran Challenge Is Even Thornier than Nukes
Obama will now have to do the thing he has been reluctant to do so far: confront Iran in Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
Threats
The US Has Joined the War for Yemen, But Why?
Why did the White House so eagerly sign up to back a Saudi-led Yemeni intervention that appears to be guided by dangerously unclear goals?
Ideas
The Part of Obama’s Arms-To-Egypt Deal That Matters
The shift to cash-flow financing may sound arcane, but it represents the most significant shift in the Washington-Cairo security relationship since 1979.
Ideas
One Huge Oversight in the US-Iran Nuclear Dialogues
If America’s interest lies in a stable Middle East that rejects radicalism and chooses integration, then the U.S. needs to look not towards governments, but citizens.
Policy
The P5+1 Aren't All Aligned on Iran's Sanctions Relief
It's not just Iran vs. the West - Russia and China are siding with Tehran on a key issue.
Policy
The Alternative to an Iran Deal Isn't Inevitable War
Pro-deal advocates are resorting to name calling and hyperboles to make their argument.
Policy
White House Reversal Will Send Arms to Egypt
Obama sidelines his insistence on democratic reform, hoping to restart Washington-Cairo dialogue.
Threats
In Syria, Today's 'Lost Generation' Could Be Tomorrow's Militants
Half of the country's children are not in school, sowing instability for another generation.
Threats
Pentagon: Yes, Taking Tikrit Just Got Harder
DoD official concedes that Iran was helping Iraq take back its city.
Threats
The Reckless Man's Case for Bombing Iran
John Bolton's newest proposal for yet another war in the Middle East was assessed as a bad idea by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates three years ago.
Policy
Why Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei Wants a Nuclear Deal
While Ayatollah Khamenei is skeptical of negotiating with the U.S., he knows well the value of a potential agreement with the Washington and the West.
Policy
A Nuclear Deal Won't Help Iran's Reformers
Despite what many liberal Iranians think, it could spur the regime to put hardliners in power instead.
Threats
Tunisia Won't Derail From Democracy
A recent terrorist attack, doesn't signal the country's slide into violence and repression. Still, Washington needs to ensure the country's future.
Science & Tech
The Top Secret Military Mapmakers Spying on ISIS' Oil Smuggling
Analysts at the NGA have taken the tradecraft used to spy on Russia and China and turned it on black market oil transports.
Policy
Why the Gulf States Won’t Save Yemen
The Gulf Cooperation Council's joint military force is not built for war, but to protect authoritarian regimes from unarmed civilian uprisings.
Policy
Your Opinion About the Iran Deal Means Nothing to Obama
The White House doesn't seem to care Americans aren't convinced that Obama's Iran deal will work -- but what about key Democrats?
Policy
The Fine Line Netanyahu Must Walk Into His Fourth Term as Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu earned his fourth term as Israel's prime minister in part by doing whatever it takes to keep his job, including renouncing his own positions.
Threats
The Specter of Chemical Warfare Returns to the Middle East
Assad's army dropped chlorine gas on a northern Syrian town, say activists, while Kurdish forces allege ISIS use of the same weapon against them near Mosul.
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: