Policy
2020 Dems Reject Military Use In Idlib
On paper, Democrats have remained open to the use of military force for humanitarian purposes.
Ideas
The US Should Get Ready for Syria’s Return from War
Trump seems determined not to play much of a role in shaping how Syria’s myriad conflicts are resolved. That’s a mistake.
Ideas
The Inconvenient Truth About ISIS
The group is even bigger now, and America’s conflict with Iran is only making the fight against it more complicated.
Threats
The Iraq War Has Cost the US Nearly $2 Trillion
The figure includes $838 billion in “emergency” and “overseas contingency operation” funding and $59 billion spent by the State Department and USAID on Iraq and Syria.
Ideas
ISIS Is No Reason to Stay in Iraq
Don’t take the wrong conclusion from recent news about the group’s “resurgence.”
Ideas
Don’t Let Iran Tensions Stop the Battle Against ISIS
My recent journey through northern Iraq revealed how fragile the region remains, and how extremism could once again take root.
Ideas
Most-Read of 2020 (So Far)
We're three months into the next year already, if you go by the fiscal calendar. Here's the most-clicked posts on our site since Oct. 1.
Ideas
Best of 2019: Editor's Choice
Even with several best-of lists, it's hard to choose among the thousands of articles we published this year. Here are a few notables that we haven't noted elsewhere.
Ideas
Best of 2019: Ideas
Revisit some of the best op-eds and commentary we had the privilege of publishing over the past year.
Threats
Esper 'Concerned' About Russian Influence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia
The defense secretary says Moscow's other Mideast efforts worry him more than its growing presence in Syria.
Ideas
An End to Magical Thinking in the Middle East
It’s time to abandon the dogma that’s driven our foreign policy and led to so much disaster in the region.
Ideas
Russia’s Military Is Writing an Armed-Robot Playbook
The new tactics and operating concepts will draw on three years of Syrian operations.
Ideas
What America’s Allies Really Think About Trump’s Syria Decision
During a few wild weeks in October, U.S. allies watched as their own worst nightmare befell America’s Kurdish partners in Syria. Here’s what that means for America’s standing in the world.
Threats
About 600 US Troops to Remain in Syria, Esper Says
But for what mission? Pentagon chief says Trump’s focus on "keeping" oil is part of fighting ISIS.
Ideas
The Mothers Who Fled the Turkish Incursion
Attacks by Turkish-backed forces shattered a hard-won pseudo-normalcy for Syrian women who had lived under ISIS.
Ideas
Betraying The Kurds Makes Things Harder for US Operators Everywhere
It will henceforth be much more difficult for U.S. combat forces and advisors to get help from local partners around the world.
Threats
The Mad Scramble for Syria
After weeks of chaos in the northeast, great powers redrew a small chunk of the map. And a bigger story is just beginning.
Policy
McConnell Asked White House For Sanctions Position, Dem Senator Says
The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference.
Threats
The US Might Have Warded Off Turkey’s Syria Invasion, Says DOD’s Outgoing Mideast Policy Chief
U.S. and Turkish officials were shoring up a joint-patrol deal when Trump scuttled it.
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