ISIS

US Marine Afghanistan

The US Will Never Win the War in Afghanistan The US Will Never Win the War in Afghanistan

The military has no strategy for victory, merely a plan to avoid defeat.

May 16, 2017 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Tartus, Syria

In Tartous, Syria, Women Wear Black, Youth Are in Hiding, and Bitterness Grows In Tartous, Syria, Women Wear Black, Youth Are in Hiding, and Bitterness Grows

This Alawite city used to support the regime, but most now believe Assad cheated his own people by sending them into an endless, pointless war.

May 15, 2017 / Alimar Lazkani and Roy Gutman

US Forces YPG Arms

US Arms Syrian Kurds—and Turkey’s Erdogan Cries ‘Terrorism’ Ahead of Trump Meeting US Arms Syrian Kurds—and Turkey’s Erdogan Cries ‘Terrorism’ Ahead of Trump Meeting

Ankara fears it will help the Kurds form a federal ethnic province in Syria, and thus give the Turkish Kurds ideas.

May 12, 2017 / Juan Cole

Victory Day Ceremony

World War II Memories in Moscow, Another Cold War Inquisition in Washington World War II Memories in Moscow, Another Cold War Inquisition in Washington

On May 9, while Russia was commemorating the 27 million Soviet citizens who died fighting Nazi Germany, the US political-media class was vilifying the Kremlin and seeking its Ameri...

May 10, 2017 / Audio / Stephen F. Cohen

YPG and US military

Is Turkey’s War on Syrian Kurds Becoming a War on the United States? Is Turkey’s War on Syrian Kurds Becoming a War on the United States?

President Erdogan seems to believe he can bully Trump into abandoning his allies in the fight against ISIS.

Apr 28, 2017 / Juan Cole

War-merica

Where Is the Elizabeth Warren of Foreign Policy? Where Is the Elizabeth Warren of Foreign Policy?

A challenge to the failed doctrines of the Democratic foreign-policy establishment is long overdue. 

Apr 25, 2017 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

People protest after Russian hacking allegations.

Why the New Cold War Is More Dangerous Than the Preceding One Why the New Cold War Is More Dangerous Than the Preceding One

Questionable but orthodox Cold War narratives make actual war with Russia more likely than during its 40-year predecessor.

Apr 19, 2017 / Audio / Stephen F. Cohen

Tulsi Gabbard TPP

Democrats Shouldn’t Be Trying to Banish Tulsi Gabbard Democrats Shouldn’t Be Trying to Banish Tulsi Gabbard

Her skepticism about the origin of the chemical-weapons attack in Syria was warranted.

Apr 12, 2017 / Robert L. Borosage

US Warships near Korean Peninsula

In Trump’s Cruise-Missile Diplomacy, Iran and North Korea Could Be Next In Trump’s Cruise-Missile Diplomacy, Iran and North Korea Could Be Next

The president has steadily increased the use of force, relaxing the rules of engagement and giving his generals free rein.

Apr 11, 2017 / Michael T. Klare

Cruise-Missile Strikes against Syria

What Is It With US Presidents and Tomahawk Cruise-Missile Strikes? What Is It With US Presidents and Tomahawk Cruise-Missile Strikes?

Typically deployed symbolically by presidents facing domestic political troubles, they rarely have significant military effect.

Apr 7, 2017 / Juan Cole

x