Science & Tech

Arab Twitter Users Like Iran Even Less Than the US

Arab reaction to major events on Twitter from 2012 to 2013 points to broad animosity toward any non-Arab military interventionist power in the region. By Daniel A. Medina

Ideas

Q&A: Ryan Crocker on Iraq's Role in the Long War Against ISIL

The former ambassador says the Iraqi army is far from finished, but they'll need U.S. special forces with them to help take back provincial capitals like Ramadi. By Bernard Gwertzman

Science & Tech

This Site Tracks the Guns Going Into Syria

The movement of weapons into Syria and Iraq just became much more visible to the entire world. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Our Best Bet Against ISIL: Kurdish Crude

Make no mistake, the legal battles over Kurdish oil and the military battles over Iraqi territory are part of the same war. By M. Ron Wahid

Threats

Why Is the US Yielding to Iran Now?

The Obama administration does not need to make nuclear concessions to Tehran to gain its support against ISIL. By David Frum

Business

The Pentagon Will Need More Money from Congress To Fight ISIL

Whatever the defense budget for FY15 ends up being, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he will have to go back to Congress to ask for more money. By Jordain Carney

Threats

How American Precision Weapons Opened the Door to an Arab Coalition

For years, the U.S. sold Arab militaries precision-guided bombs for this very reason, while NATO stockpiles have lagged since Libya. By Marcus Weisgerber

Ideas

Obama Should Be Pressuring, Not Legitimizing, Bahrain

After several snubs, letting Bahrain’s tiny Air Force in on the ISIL air strikes is a missed opportunity to change the ways of a shaky ally. By Brian Dooley

Policy

Iran Says the West Should Step Aside in the Fight Against ISIL

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he believes 'the right solution to this quandary comes from within the region.' By Kaveh Waddell

Threats

Here’s a Map of Obama’s Coalition Against the Islamic State

Over 50 nations have joined the U.S. in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, but only five have taken major military action. By Kedar Pavgi

Threats

The Campaign Against ISIL Could Cost $1.5B a Month

Key questions remain concerning targets, transitions and how to fund a sustained campaign against ISIL. By Janine Davidson and Emerson Brooking

Threats

Air Strikes in Syria Are ‘Only the Beginning’

President Obama says he’s willing to do what it takes to destroy Islamic fighters in Iraq and Syria, drawing the U.S. back into war in the Middle East. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

The Khorasan Group Was Planning an ‘Imminent Attack’ on the West

The U.S. has had the Khorasan Group on its radar for a while, even if few had heard of them until Monday night's air strikes. By Marina Koren

Threats

Obama Now Owns the Struggle of the Syrians

The president has built an international coalition against Syria -- but make no mistake, this is an American fight. By Jeffrey Goldberg

Science & Tech

F-22 Finally Makes Its Combat Debut Against Syria

Seven years after they were declared battle ready, the $370 million jet sees action. By Marcus Weisgerber

Threats

US Begins Air Strikes in Syria

A year after President Obama drew a red line over the use of chemical weapons, the U.S. military conducts air strikes in Syria. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

With National Security Emerging as a Top Issue, Candidates Adjust Strategies

In Arkansas, Democrats thought Tom Cotton's hawkishness would be a major vulnerability. Now, it's a late-breaking asset. By Alex Roarty

Threats

What To Expect from Obama's Plan To Stop Foreign Fighters

Getting the UN Security Council to agree on Obama's plan to curb transnational jihad will be the easy part. What comes after is where the real problems lie. By Stewart M. Patrick and Daniel Chardell

Science & Tech

The Military Wants to Understand Why You Believe What You Believe

What makes an idea like the Islamic State spread? The Pentagon wants to know. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

If There Is ‘No Military Solution’ in Iraq, Where Is the Non-Military Solution?

Rather than reducing the motivations for joining ISIS, the U.S. military plan seems bound to add to them. By Sarah Chayes