Ideas

Is This How the War on Terror Ends?

Rivalry among great powers long characterized international affairs—and now it's back. By Peter Beinart

Business

Pentagon Leaders Working to Define Military’s Post-War Purpose

With a post-war budget and (yet another) strategy, senior defense leaders are crafting a new mission for the U.S. military. By Kevin Baron

Business

The Pentagon's Military Strategy Barely Mentions Russia

Moscow’s recent invasion of Ukrainian territory could change the Pentagon’s priorities. By Sara Sorcher

Business

Pentagon’s QDR Proclaims Military Ready To Do It All

The Pentagon's strategic plan assures Congress the U.S. military still will defeat anyone, anytime, anywhere – just for far less money. By Kevin Baron

Threats

The Strategy Behind Russia's Takeover of Crimea

Moscow has supported secessionist movements in ex-Soviet states to expand its influence in the region. Is the Crimean crisis just the latest example? By Uri Friedman

Policy

Will Ukraine Become a Proxy War Between U.S. and Russia?

The main reason the U.S. cares about the violence in Ukraine? Vladimir Putin. By Matt Vasilogambros

Threats

The ‘House of Cards’ Lesson for the U.S. Military

In ‘House of Cards,’ the U.S. parks an aircraft carrier near China in a standoff. In real life, that may not be an option much longer. By Harry J. Kazianis

Threats

Has Intervention Helped or Hurt Bosnia?

The answer matters for world leaders faced with conflicts in countries like Syria and Ukraine. By David Rohde

Threats

Does Building Ski Resorts Fight Terrorism?

Skiing, like other forms of tourism, offers the potential for developing areas with few other resources. By Oliver Kaplan

Business

Think Tanks' Dream Defense Budgets Defeat China, But Not Politics

In a gaming exercise, Washington’s premier think tanks don’t even try to thwart the biggest threat of all: political gridlock. By Kevin Baron

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

Policy

How the Fall of Fallujah Could Be Good For the U.S.

For the first time since U.S. troops left Iraq, Washington has leverage with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. By Michael Hirsh

Threats

The Global Conflicts to Watch in 2014

From a cyberattack against the United States to a civil war in Iraq, here are the threats to worry about in 2014. By Uri Friedman

Ideas

Top Seven National Security Books from 2013

You nominated them, so National Journal interviewed the authors of seven must-reads for security junkies. By Sara Sorcher

Ideas

New Year, New Missions: Eight Challenges Awaiting the Pentagon in 2014

The New Year means new challenges for the Pentagon. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for 2014. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

How a Rock Concert Turned Nelson Mandela into a Cold Warrior

In standing for justice, Nelson Mandela helped end 20th-century totalitarianism. His 1988 birthday concert was a shot fired.

Ideas

Why Economics, Not Military Might, Is the Future of Foreign Policy

The story is the same around the world: the prospect of money, and not military power, is driving state-state relations. By David Rohde

Ideas

Here’s What the Army Thinks War Will Look Like in 2030

Top brass gathered in Washington, D.C., recently to review the Army’s latest war games. What does war look like in 2030? (Hint: it’s not that different than today). By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Pipe Dream: Israel-Turkey ‘Peace Pipeline’ Unlikely to Thaw Relations

An undersea natural gas pipeline and all of its riches sounds like a good way to thaw Israeli-Turkish relations -- but it won’t. By Allison Good

Business

Pentagon Outlines Stronger Military Presence in the Arctic

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon’s new Arctic Strategy will significantly increase U.S. military resources and attention to the polar region. By Kevin Baron