Threats
The U.S. Dilemma in Egypt
There's a lot of worry in the United States that Egypt is going down a path of persistent instability. By Bernard Gwertzman
Ideas
Can Another ‘Anbar Awakening’ Save Iraq?
Only disgruntled Sunni tribes can halt Iraq’s descent into another sectarian hell. By James Kitfield
Policy
The Syria Talks Are Doomed Without Iran
Why Washington must make harder choices and include Iran to save Syria. By David Rohde
Policy
As Geneva II Convenes, One Unarmed Syrian Shadow Government Waits
The forgotten Temporary Syrian Parliament, or TSP, has no guns and no outside money. Here's why the United States should promote them in any Syrian opposition coalition. By Will McCants and Jomana Qaddour
Threats
What It's Like on the Ground in Iraq Today
In an interview, veteran journalist Jane Arraf says Syrian fighters are crossing the border at will and Anbar's deep sectarian divisions are growing in Baghdad.
Ideas
The Mideast Is Overshadowing Obama's Pivot to Asia
Four experts from the Council on Foreign Relations offer perspectives on how Asia is reacting to President Obama's renewed focus on the region amid the turmoil in the Mideast. By Beina Xu
Policy
Can Iraq Be Trusted with U.S. Attack Helicopters?
Congressional leaders are uneasy about putting Apache helicopters under the control of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Gates, Obama and the Use of Military Force in the Middle East
Bob Gates’ new memoir illuminates a fundamental, post-Iraq and Afghanistan change in how Americans view the use of military force. By David Rohde
Policy
The Egyptian Revolution Has Failed
Recent press crackdowns by the government mirror the tactics used by Mubarak’s authoritarian regime. By Shaheen Pasha
Threats
Why Al-Qaeda in Iraq Is Maliki’s Problem, Not America’s
Arming Iraq’s civil war will do little to solve Iraq’s political dysfunction. Unless Maliki agrees to power sharing in his own country, Maliki is on his own. By Peter Mansoor
Threats
Forget the Nuclear Details and End This Cold War With Iran
What matters isn't the percentage of Iran's uranium enrichment or number of centrifuges. What matters is ending the Cold War. By Peter Beinart
Threats
Iraq’s Best Hope for Peace Is Replacing Maliki
The United States may have made a mess in Iraq, but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s reign has only made things worse. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Washington's Dysfunction Is Sabotaging America's Middle East Policy
Neither the left nor the right has offered a serious strategy for how to respond to the emergence of new types of militant groups across the Middle East. By David Rohde
Threats
Brunt of Global Terrorist Attacks Born By Three Countries
Terrorism hotspots continue to grow in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. By Kedar Pavgi
Ideas
It’s Time to Bring Iran in from the Cold and End Sunni-Shiite Rhetoric
The Geneva nuclear deal with Iran could be the precise thing we need to end the Sunni-Shia rhetoric I grew up with. By Fariborz Ghadar
Policy
Assad Could Stay in Power After End of Syria’s Civil War
Officials are afraid that toppling the authoritarian could lead to a takeover by al-Qaeda backed Islamists. By Jordain Carney
Threats
Why Egypt's Sinai Is a Security Mess
The triangle shaped buffer zone between Egypt and Israel is a hotbed of lawlessness, and political instability stemming from the aftershocks of the Arab Spring. By Zachary Laub
Threats
What If a Drone Struck an American Wedding?
Can you imagine the wall-to-wall press coverage and outrage if a foreign power struck an American wedding like we just did in Yemen? By Conor Friedersdorf
Ideas
Power or Persuasion: More Sanctions or Bombs for Iran?
In the art of coercive diplomacy, sanctions and military pressure go hand-in-hand and must be feared, but they still have limits. By James Kitfield
Ideas