Policy
Islamic State Dominates the Post-Recess Conversation in Congress
Congress is unlikely to vote on authorization for broad war powers in Iraq and Syria ahead of the midterms, but the deepening debate could shape U.S. policy for years to come. By Molly O’Toole
Science & Tech
Social Media’s Very Arab Future
What does the Arab world’s Twitter use reveal about the U.S. challenge of winning hearts and minds online? By Patrick Tucker
Ideas
How the Lessons of Iraq Are Shaping the Fight Against the Islamic State
After 4 years of war in Iraq, the U.S. learned the importance of patience and restraint--lessons that dominate today's strategic fight against the Islamic State. By Col. Steve Liszewski
Policy
The Risks and Rewards of Obama's 'No Ground Troops' Pledge
If the president's motive is politics, both hawks and doves have reason to be worried. By Ron Fournier
Ideas
Beyond Airstrikes, How the US Can Accelerate the Islamic State’s Defeat
Time is not on Washington’s side, despite greater clarity of the military, political and economic efforts it will take to defeat the Islamic State. By Bilal Y. Saab
Threats
Pursuing the Islamic State to the Gates of Hell
America’s foreign-policy debate has turned in a way that could cause the Obama administration a great deal of trouble. By Peter Beinart
Policy
House Republicans Seek Their Own Strategy Against the Islamic State
Multiple GOP-led House committees will hold hearings next week aimed at drafting a plan to defeat the Islamic State group. By Daniel Newhauser
Threats
The Islamic State May Have Hit the Point of Diminishing Returns
As Iraqi security forces regain their footing, the Islamic State's use of terror is not enough to relieve the pressure they face on the battlefield. By Col. Clint Hinote
Ideas
It's Time for Better Options for Rescuing US Hostages
The murders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff make it clear the U.S. needs alternative ways to save its own from terrorist hostage takers. By Rep. Duncan Hunter
Ideas
Where NATO Needs to Do More—And Less
Preparing forces for Russia and the Islamic State? Yes. Missile defense and nuclear weapons? No. By Joe Cirincione
Threats
US Sends Another 350 Troops to Iraq
The State Department asked for additional U.S. troops to Iraq to beef up security around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. By Kaveh Waddell
Threats
At Last, Some Good News in the Fight Against the Islamic State
Iraqi security forces, with U.S. air support, appear to be making modest gains against the Islamic State. By Bobby Ghosh
Policy
The Summer of Obama's Caution and America's Discontent
Americans don't seem to like a hawkish president, but they definitely don't like a weak one, either. By Ron Fournier
Threats
Islamic State Militant Beheads U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff in Video, Group Says
As they warned they would, Islamic State fighters beheaded American Steven Sotloff, says intel group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
The Fierce Minimalism of Barack Obama
Obama’s critics often claim he doesn’t have a strategy in the greater Middle East. That’s wrong. To understand it, we must go back 7 summers. By Peter Beinart
Policy
Behind Obama's Hesitation on Syria
Obama's caution reflects both the lawyer that he is and a deliberate turn away from his predecessor, who often neglected to weigh all the consequences of his decisions. By George F. Condon, Jr.
Threats
Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'
President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Why the Islamic State Is Mostly a Network of Roads
To say that ISIL controls territory stretching from Aleppo to Falluja and up to Mosul is not to say that it controls all of that territory equally. By Kathy Gilsinan
Threats
The Cease-Fire in Gaza By the Numbers
In the wake of the latest Gaza cease-fire agreement, here's a quick rundown on the damage and duration of Israeli-Hamas fighting this Summer. By Tim Fernholz
Threats
The Terrible Idea of Partnering With Syria's Assad
Why the U.S. teaming up with the Syrian dictator is both an interesting thought experiment and a terrible idea. By Bobby Ghosh
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