Policy

Rubio Proves Obama's Point About Islam and Intolerance in the US

Sen. Marco Rubio accused the president of 'pitting people against each other' in Obama's visit to a mosque this week.

Policy

Obama Confronts the Politics of Religion and Terrorism

The president preached inclusion and hit back at anti-Muslim rhetoric during his first appearance at a mosque.

Ideas

Obama Says His ISIS Strategy Is Working Better Than His Attempts to Explain It

The president blames for messaging for public opposition, but there may be more to the story.

Policy

Ben Carson's National Security Ignorance May Not Matter to US Voters

While it isn’t news that Carson is untutored on foreign policy, his rise in the polls coupled with the Paris attacks have brought a new focus to his lack of experience.

Policy

Here's Why Assad and ISIS Hate France's Stake in the Middle East

With both the terror group and the brutal president blaming the Paris attacks on French foreign policy, it's worth asking: what is that policy?

Policy

George H.W. Bush Settles Old Scores With Cheney and Rumsfeld

The 41st president’s comments criticizing two of his son’s closest advisers on the Iraq war are rooted in tensions dating back to the Ford administration.

Policy

Would Sun Tzu Endorse Donald Trump's Total-War Political Strategy?

Forget The Art of the Deal—what does The Art of War have to say about whether the Republican frontrunner’s campaign has peaked?

Policy

Robert Gates, Unlikely Gay Rights Hero

The former defense secretary has gone further than many politicians in promoting gay rights in the military and private sphere.

Threats

Martin O’Malley’s Link Between Climate Change and ISIS Isn’t Crazy At All

There’s an established body of work drawing a connection between drought, resource scarcity, and conflict in general. And the battlefields of Syria happen to feature all three.

Threats

Can Tunisia Stop Terrorism With a Wall?

History suggests that building a wall on the Libyan border might not be all that effective.

Threats

How Terrorism Prolongs Conflict But Loses the War

Rebel groups that employ the tactic in civil wars seldom win or gain concessions—but they tend to make ending a conflict much more difficult, a new paper finds.

Threats

Terrorists Are Turning Their Sights on Schools and Students

From attacks on schools by the Pakistani Taliban to kidnappings of students by Boko Haram in Nigeria, young people are proving an alluring target for violent groups.

Policy

Petraeus Is Getting Off Easy, But Not All Intel Leakers Are So Lucky

The former CIA director is receiving a $40,000 fine and two years probation for leaking classified information, but many others have been jailed for years for their offenses.

Threats

Hagel: Get Used To Endless War

The Pentagon's chief said that the US is living through 'historic, defining times.' This means that the long war will likely become even longer. By David Graham

Business

Barack Obama's Friendly-Fire Problem

Leon Panetta is the latest former aide to criticize the president publicly. This kind of thing didn't always happen. By David Graham

Policy

With Eric Holder's Exit, Obama Loses a Key Ally

The attorney general, who announced his departure Thursday, has quarreled with Congress but often addressed issues the president preferred to keep at arm's length. By David A. Graham

Threats

Why Putin Turned Against the U.S.

Vladimir Putin is considerably more emotional than strategic when it comes to Ukraine, says former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. By David A. Graham