Ideas

Are Directed-Energy Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?

As an aerospace engineer and former Vice Chair of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, I can attest to the effectiveness of such weapons.

Policy

Congress’ Afghanistan Oversight Marred By Politics

Lawmakers overwhelmingly postured instead of asking America’s top diplomat real questions.

Threats

The Kabul Airlift in 5 Charts

The largest emergency airlift ever handled by the U.S. military started slowly and built to a torrent.

Threats

No US Military Dogs Were Left Behind in Afghanistan, DOD Says

Pentagon officials say the caged dogs in viral photos aren’t military working dogs, all of which were evacuated.

Policy

The Future of U.S.-Taliban Relations

Blinken says cooperation is possible, but only if Taliban acts appropriately.

Policy

US Helicopters Rescued 169 Americans Outside Airport; More Ops Could Follow

Biden “will mobilize every resource necessary” to save more, but U.S. has yet to test Taliban checkpoints. Meanwhile, fuel-strained air operations resume.

Policy

US Planning to Evacuate Afghan Interpreters, Top US General Says

“There are plans being developed very, very rapidly here,” said Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.

Science & Tech

Nobody Wants Rules in Space

As space becomes more crowded, there’s little hope for new international rules to make it safer.

Ideas

Beijing’s Warning Shot to Biden

U.S. policymakers must begin treating sanctions by other countries as a serious national security threat.

Ideas

Iran Will Still be a Slog

We can expect Tehran to use three tactics to seek advantage in negotiations.

Ideas

Gaslighting Can’t Obscure Trump’s Iran Failures

The Biden administration must make a firm break from Trump’s approach and restore the status quo ante.

Policy

Exclusive: Longtime US Diplomat Weighs America’s Legacy in Syria

The immediate damage of the Turkish invasion has been repaired, Bill Roebuck says, but warns ISIS could reemerge without more U.S. assistance.

Threats

Biden Team Highlights Cybersecurity With First Cabinet Picks

Familiar faces will likely have to revisit efforts around information-sharing and establishing global norms.

Ideas

Give Us That Democracy Summit, President Biden

A long time ago, before the pandemic, he promised to convene free-world leaders. It’s still a good idea.

Ideas

Whatever Happens in the Election, Get Ready for a Rocky Transition

Trump says if he loses, he won’t help hand over power, and if he wins, he'll root out government employees he deems disloyal to him.

Business

Will COVID-Stressed Countries Slow Their Arms Buys?

State Department’s political-military leader sees mixed signals from abroad.

Policy

Is Iraq’s Military Good Enough for US Troops to Leave?

After 17 years of fighting Saddam, AQ, and ISIS, officials say support for Baghdad and its security forces remains key to fending off Iran.

Policy

‘Stunning’ Executive Order Enables Politicized Civil Service

President Trump's new directive allows thousands of federal jobs now filled through competition to be turned into at-will positions.