Donate

Stephen Biddle

People in the Syrian city of Tabqa toured the streets in celebration after Islamic State militants took over a government air base nearby on August 24, 2014.

Washington is talking tough on ISIS, but its plans for intervention don’t seem to measure up

Conflict

A growing number of high-ranking American officials say that ISIS, the militant group that controls much of northern Iraq, must be defeated. The White House is considering plans to send ground troops to aid Iraq in the fight, but experts say even those expanded plans won’t be enough to win.

View of Grbavica, a neighborhood of Sarajevo, Bosnia.

How wars end part V: Bosnia

Conflict & Justice
Three U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet fighters from strike fighter squadron VFA-83 Rampagers fly in formation over the desert during "Operation Desert Storm" on 3 February 1991.

How wars end part IV: the Gulf War

Conflict & Justice
Union soldiers entrenched along the west bank of the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

How wars end part II: the American Civil War

Conflict & Justice
A resident gestures as he talks to a U.S. soldier from 2nd Brigade combat team, 82nd Airborne on patrol in Baghdad's Adhamiya district January 5, 2008.

How wars end part I: Iraq

Conflict & Justice

US to Open Peace Talks With the Taliban

Global Politics

The Taliban and the United States agreed Tuesday to hold peace talks, starting later this week. The aim is to negotiate an end to the fighting in Afghanistan.

The New Top Commander in Afghanistan

Global Politics

Even before the Petraeus scandal widened, General John Allen’s time as top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan was winding down. Last month, President Obama nominated General Joseph Dunford to replace Allen.

US Designates Haqqani Network ‘Terrorist Organization’

Global Politics

The United States is designating the Haqqani network a terrorist organization. The Haqqanis are the most lethal group in Afghanistan. So some say the designation is overdue. Others worry about the effects on peace talks.

How Military Cuts Could Impact the Economy

Global Politics

The so-called Congressional Super committee appears headed for failure. Now, $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts to government spending are slated to happen. The big loser is the Pentagon. How might slashing the military budget impact the wider economy?

Sgt. Thompson, Afghanistan, May 2010

The impact on US strategy in Afghanistan

Global Politics

The World’s Jason Margolis looks at how the death of Osama Bin Laden might impact US strategy in Afghanistan.