Policy

Syrian Rebel Commander Idris Prepared to Testify to Congress

Supporters say they may bring Syria’s rebels leaders from the front lines to the witness tables of Capitol Hill, should Congress balk. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Policy

Will Obama Resort to Appeasement in Syria?

Failure to receive approval from the legislature will only harken back to an era where dictators and despots were given free reign to terrorize. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

How Will Obama Keep Syria from Turning into Another Iraq?

White House promises of limited American action in Syria have so far failed to ease public concern. By David Rohde

Policy

War with Syria: The Intersection of Interests and Ideology

In the realm of foreign affairs, it’s rare that a cause unites hawkish interventionists and neoconservatives, realists and liberal internationalists. By James Kitfield

Threats

Will Attacking Syria Prevent More Chemical Weapons Attacks?

An inadequate response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria will only increase the risk that the world's most dangerous weapons will be used to commit further atrocities. By Daryl G. Kimball

Policy

Syria: Mission Impossible?

President Obama is deciding whether to launch a military strike against Syria. The problem is, there may be no good way do it. By Michael Hirsh

Science & Tech

Why a Precision Strike Won't Work in Syria

The Kosovo model for a precision strike against Syria ignores two important things - they're not always that precise and there's no guarantee that Assad will back down any time soon. By James Fallows

Policy

Obama: U.S. Influence in Syria is ‘Overstated’

In an exclusive interview with CNN, President Obama worries about getting involved in Syria, questions the future of U.S.-Egypt relations and suggests the NSA might need a public advocate. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

How Egypt Helps Assad

The U.S. is reluctant to get involved in Egypt - and Syrian President Bashir Assad knows it. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

With or Without U.S. Intervention, Syria Will Become Iraq

Old line in Washington: Syria will be another Iraq if the U.S. military gets involved. New line: Syria will become another Iraq if they don’t. By Kevin Baron

Threats

A Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria May Have Killed Hundreds

Specific details about the incident are currently unknown, but the attack could be one of the war's deadliest to date. By Dashiell Bennett

Ideas

Once an Iraqi Interpreter, Now an American Soldier

The American dream -- and the fear of post-war Baghdad -- has led tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees to the U.S. For one former interpreter to the U.S. military, the only way to stay was to join up.

Ideas

Whispers in the Ranks that Iraq Has Turned Obama Isolationist to a Fault

Some in Obama’s diplomatic corps fear the president has “learned all the wrong things from Iraq” -- a deadly lesson for Syria’s rebels. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

Hagel Admits U.S. Influence in Egypt Is ‘Limited’

In his first public remarks about the violence in Egypt, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says “it will be their responsibility to sort this out.” By Kevin Baron

Threats

The Arab World Is on the Brink of Radicalizing

The violence in Egypt only underlines the threat faced by governments being overrun by religious extremism. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

Egypt's Military Cracks Down on Protesters

The army began breaking up protests staged by supporters of former President Mohammad Morsi. Unconfirmed reports from Cairo are suggesting a high death toll so far. By Dashiell Bennett

Ideas

Obama's Embassy Closures Just 'Free Advertising' for Al Qaeda

Obama's disjointed response to terrorism has left the U.S. in a 'defensive crouch'. Closing embassies so far from Yemen, however, was little more than 'free advertising' for Al Qaeda. By Joshua Foust

Ideas

How to Save the Middle East from Nuclear War

No region is in greater need of banning nuclear weapons than the conflict-cursed Middle East. Here’s my plan to get it started. By Prince Turki Al Faisal

Threats

Top U.S. Marine Amos on Yemen: ‘I Don’t Know How It’s Going to Turn Out’

In an exclusive interview, Marine Corps Gen. James Amos said he is concerned Yemen is becoming 'a breeding ground' for al Qaeda -- and he doesn’t know what to expect next. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Interview with Ryan Crocker: Assad will Prevail 'Yard by Bloody Yard'

America’s premier diplomat would intervene in Syria if President Obama asked, even though it probably wouldn’t do much good. By Stephanie Gaskell