What Is Next for the Islamic State?

By: Patrick Hoover, Columnist Photo Credit: Chiangrai Times The Islamic State (IS) is on the verge of transforming from a semi-conventional to a decentralized, underground organization. With the loss of al-Raqqa city and al-Mayadin this past month, IS is rapidly losing control over towns and cities in Syria. However, the post-IS fallout may pose various … Continue reading What Is Next for the Islamic State?

The Need for Realpolitik in US-Turkey Relations

By: Mark Bhaskar, Columnist Photo Credit: Voice of America From October 8th-9th, the United States and Turkey suspended each other’s visa services after the latter arrested a second US Consulate employee of this year. On October 16th, the United States sent a diplomatic team to begin negotiations to end the crisis, yet a solution has … Continue reading The Need for Realpolitik in US-Turkey Relations

Why the Fall of the ‘Caliphate’ in Syria Will Not Ease Western Security Concerns

By: Antonia Ward, Columnist Photo Credit: SBS Australia In October, Iraqi, Syrian, and coalition forces celebrated the fall of Raqqa, one of the most important, and final, areas under ISIS control.[i] However, despite this significant loss of territory in the self-proclaimed ‘caliphate,’ ISIS has proven remarkably adaptable and resilient. ISIS could continue to present a … Continue reading Why the Fall of the ‘Caliphate’ in Syria Will Not Ease Western Security Concerns

What Comes After Raqqa?

By: Yasmin Faruki, Columnist Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera The recent ousting of Daesh from Raqqa by the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) is a welcome victory for the US-led coalition, but upcoming challenges underscore the lack of a clear US strategy in Syria. As Daesh’s former de facto capital in Syria, Raqqa enabled the organization to carry … Continue reading What Comes After Raqqa?

Hawalas’ Role in the Financial War on Terrorism

By: Kailey Pickitt, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush declared that the United States would destroy al-Qa’ida using “every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, and every financial influence;”[i] the last of these largely determines the success of a … Continue reading Hawalas’ Role in the Financial War on Terrorism

Rethinking the South Asia Strategy—Addressing the Root Causes of Afghanistan/Pakistan Tensions

By: Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo Credit: Reuters The recently announced US South Asia Strategy represents one of the Trump administration’s first comprehensive, whole of government approaches to global affairs. The most prominent aspect of the strategy noted by foreign affairs observers was the transition to a “conditions based” approach for assessing progress and appropriate troop … Continue reading Rethinking the South Asia Strategy—Addressing the Root Causes of Afghanistan/Pakistan Tensions

Finding a Place for Political Islam

By: Andrew Swick, Columnist Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera Two recent publications by prominent Washington researchers aim to tackle the difficult question of how the United States should approach political Islam—especially in the Arab world. Rethinking Political Islam, by Shadi Hamid and William McCants, reviews a multi-year study by the Brookings Institution, providing country case studies and … Continue reading Finding a Place for Political Islam

Former CIA and NSA Director, General Michael Hayden, Discusses Shifts in Global Security

By: Tiffany Classie L. Williams, Reporter Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) kicked-off the first of its Rethinking Seminar Series on Thursday, September 28, 2017 with retired US Air Force General Michael Hayden as the featured speaker. This year’s series, entitled “Rethinking Future Environments and Strategic Challenges,” is … Continue reading Former CIA and NSA Director, General Michael Hayden, Discusses Shifts in Global Security

Radical Islam: Saudi Arabia’s Other Export

By: Mark Bhaskar, Columnist Photo Credit: Jakarta Post The United States’ alliance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the county’s longest-standing relationships in the Middle East, predating even that between the United States and Israel. Despite recent crises surrounding events such as the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, … Continue reading Radical Islam: Saudi Arabia’s Other Export

Ambassador Hartley Draws a Critical Contrast Between Trump and Macron’s Foreign Policies

By: Patrick McNamara, Reporter Photo Credit: U.S. Department of State Speaking at the Oscar Iden Annual Lecture on American foreign policy in a talk entitled “The US, France, and Europe: Where Do We Go From Here,” former US Ambassador to France Jane Hartley criticized President Trump’s foreign policy and support of Marine Le Pen in … Continue reading Ambassador Hartley Draws a Critical Contrast Between Trump and Macron’s Foreign Policies