Threats

Thousands of US Troops Will Remain in Afghanistan Past Christmas

They won't be home for Christmas. Trump's national security advisor says the president was only expressing a "desire" with that tweet.

Ideas

'Esper's Lie?' I Don't Think So

After nearly a generation of dominating focus on counterinsurgency operations, the U.S. military is underprepared in 2020 for great power competition.

Ideas

The 20th Year of the Afghanistan War Should Be America’s Last

U.S. national security interests do not depend on the outcome of the peace talks. It’s time to come home.

Ideas

Lebanon Needs More than US Sanctions

Hezbollah must go. Here's how the international community can help develop a democratic and secular system that works for the people. 

Ideas

Esper's Convenient Lie

The defense secretary's claim that the two decades of countering violent extremism left the U.S. under-prepared for a near-peer fight doesn’t hold water.

Ideas

19 Years After 9/11, Politicians Need to Stop Overhyping Threats

From China to disinformation, our fear of fear itself is tearing us apart and making us less safe.

Ideas

Why Don’t The Dead Matter?

Far too few Americans seem to feel genuine compassion for the dead, even among their fellow citizens. Our endless wars may be to blame.

Exclusive Threats

Exclusive: US Drops Death Penalty for ISIS ‘Beatles’

Atty. Gen. Barr's letter to the UK brings two ISIS fighters accused of beheading American journalists and aid workers closer to a U.S. trial.

Ideas

The ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Designation Won’t Stop Extremism

Neither the historical record nor today's decentralization suggest that a government designation will have much effect

Ideas

Terrorists Aren’t Staying In Jail as Long as You Might Think

Most convicted of terror offenses stay just a few years, and receive far too little rehabilitation support before and after they leave.

Ideas

We Must Continue Fighting Terrorism as Relentlessly as the Coronavirus

There’s no miracle drug for stopping terrorism. It is controllable, but never curable.

Ideas

Finding ‘The End’ to Our Story in Afghanistan May Be The Best We Could Do

There are Taliban peace talks in my novel, too. No spoilers, but you can bet how that goes.

Ideas

The US Should Send More, Not Fewer, Troops to West Africa

America’s interests and unique security partnerships in this burgeoning region argue for more help, not less.

Ideas

Beware a Peace Deal That May Spell War

There are important questions still to be answered about Afghanistan and the United States.

Ideas

White-Supremacist Violence Is Terrorism

As commander of all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, I fought America’s enemies abroad. Now we must fight violent, hateful ideologies at home.

Ideas

To End America’s War in Afghanistan, US Troops Can’t Leave Yet

Walking away out of frustration — especially during peace talks — is as empty a strategy as doubling down out of optimism.

Threats

Kenya Base ‘Surprisingly’ Undefended During Attack, US Officials Say

The Jan. 5. attack by al-Shabaab killed three Americans came as the Pentagon considers a further drawdown of its African presence.