Ideas
Take Off the Pentagon’s Gloves in the ISIS War? Not So Fast.
Policies intended to reduce civilian harm didn’t arise out of elite Washington think tanks or academia; they arose from the military’s own lessons learned.
Ideas
Beyond Yemen, the Ghost of Anwar al-Awlaki Will Long Haunt US Forces
The enduring propaganda value of a martyr.
Ideas
Trump’s Dangerous 'Dishonest' Message to the Troops
It’s politics when a candidate disparages “the media.” But it’s potentially dangerous when the commander in chief tells U.S. troops not to trust the reporters who cover them.
Threats
Afghanistan Needs ‘Thousands’ More Troops, US General Says
The commander of U.S. forces there lays the first major war decision on Donald Trump’s desk.
Ideas
President Trump Sets a Remarkable Bar for Critiquing His Military Operations
The president took to Twitter to argue that publicly discussing the success or failure of a mission 'only emboldens the enemy.'
Ideas
Why are US Forces in Yemen at All?
'The truth of the matter is that America is killing people — terrorists and others — because its leaders don’t know what else to do.'
Ideas
Why Is New Jersey Grouping American 'Black Separatists' with ISIS?
The state’s new terror-group ranking raises more questions than it answers.
Ideas
The Jihadi Thinker Who Ushered in the Era of ‘Anything Goes’ Warfare
Abu Abdullah al-Muhajir died in a recent airstrike, but his ideas will shape Islamic State and al-Qaeda tactics for years to come.
Ideas
The Coming War on ‘Radical Islam’
How President-elect Trump’s government could change America’s approach to terrorism.
Policy
The Other Michael Flynn
Donald Trump’s national security advisor sounded very different when he was running counterinsurgency campaigns in Kabul.
Policy
Donald Trump's Choice for National Security Adviser Has One Priority: Combatting 'Radical Islamic Terrorism'
Michael Flynn is also known for his long military career and his unceremonious exit from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Ideas
So Far, Trump’s Talk Has Only Hurt America’s Counterterrorism Effort
Can the candidate who alienated Muslim Americans and gave thumbs-up to torture reverse course as president? A conversation with former FBI agent Ali Soufan.
Threats
Pakistan to Obama: Kashmir Will Hurt Our Ability to Help Fight the Taliban
Pakistan wants President Obama’s help in the Kashmir conflict with India, Pakistan’s senate defense chairman will tell the National Security Council on Friday.
Ideas
Beating Terror, Indonesian Style
Jakarta’s battle against Islamic terrorist groups has seen improvisation and missteps, but also five key factors.
Ideas
The True Costs of America's Credit-Card War on Terror
The bills will be coming for decades, in the form of debt-service interest, veterans’ medical expenses, and forgone opportunities.
Ideas
How Much Really Changed About Terrorism on 9/11?
Three founders of modern terrorism studies reflect on what the world has learned about political violence—and what remains unknown.
Threats
US Intel Chief: Climate Change Is Adding Fuel to the World’s Extremist Fires
DNI Clapper says environmental factors will keep the cycle of extremism going long after ISIS is vanquished.
Ideas
Al-Qaeda's War on America Just Entered Its Third Decade
Two decades ago, Osama bin Laden officially launched al-Qaeda’s struggle against the United States. Neither side has won.
Ideas
Why is America Still Saying 'Never Again' About Terrorism?
Despite an administration change and major shifts in national security, the federal government is still taking a maximalist approach to policy.
Ideas
Keeping America's Principles In the Age of Terrorism
Our security should be judged not only by the absence of major attacks but by America’s commitment to the Constitution.
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