Will the Reconquest of Mosul Lead to the Breakup of Iraq? Will the Reconquest of Mosul Lead to the Breakup of Iraq?
The Arab world is divided, often along sectarian lines, on what to expect.
Oct 31, 2016 / Juan Cole
The War in Syria Cannot Be Won. But It Can Be Ended. The War in Syria Cannot Be Won. But It Can Be Ended.
The left is profoundly divided over the conflict, but we should at least agree on a set of principles to end it.
Oct 31, 2016 / Feature / Phyllis Bennis
Did the White House Declare War on Russia? Did the White House Declare War on Russia?
Vice President Biden announces a forthcoming covert strike against Russian president Putin and Moscow calls it a “declaration of war.”
Oct 19, 2016 / Audio / Stephen F. Cohen
The Debate Over Syria Has Reached a Dead End The Debate Over Syria Has Reached a Dead End
Two warring narratives now dominate discussions—and neither is sufficient.
Oct 18, 2016 / Bassam Haddad
Meet the Man Who Should Be the Next Secretary of State Meet the Man Who Should Be the Next Secretary of State
Former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman is that rare thing, an honest and wise diplomat—which is why he’ll probably never be appointed.
Oct 14, 2016 / Patrick Lawrence
Air Power Is Unlikely to Solve America’s Problems Air Power Is Unlikely to Solve America’s Problems
Despite the sorry results delivered by air power over the last 65 years, the US military continues to invest heavily in it.
Jun 21, 2016 / William J. Astore
Iraqi Kurdish Leader Calls for Redrawing Regional Borders—And Attacks Fellow Kurds Iraqi Kurdish Leader Calls for Redrawing Regional Borders—And Attacks Fellow Kurds
Massoud Barzani praises Turkey’s authoritarian leader but has harsh words for the Turkish PKK and its Syrian Kurdish offshoot.
May 18, 2016 / Roy Gutman
How Long Does an American Military Promise Last? As Long As a Snapchat. How Long Does an American Military Promise Last? As Long As a Snapchat.
We can’t seem to remember our recent history for long enough to stop making the same mistakes over and over again.
May 16, 2016 / Peter Van Buren
The Importance of Palmyra, Colonizing Kiev, and Donald Trump The Importance of Palmyra, Colonizing Kiev, and Donald Trump
The Syrian-Russian retaking of a major ISIS stronghold and the West’s further control over the Kiev government refute the orthodox US narrative of the new Cold War, which Trump is ...
Mar 30, 2016 / Audio / Stephen F. Cohen
The 5 Questions You Won’t Hear Asked at Any Presidential Debate The 5 Questions You Won’t Hear Asked at Any Presidential Debate
Unless we address these long-standing foreign policy questions, we’ll continue playing international whack-a-mole for the next four years.
Mar 17, 2016 / Peter Van Buren