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?

Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness

By: Benedikt Meng, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: US Army Gone are the days of the post-Cold War ‘American Hyperpower’ which dominated global economic and strategic security in a world of relatively stable nuclear security. While the Cold War world presented an uneasy nuclear balance resting on the actions of two superpowers, today’s nuclear environment is … Continue reading Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness

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

The Mounting Challenges in Refugee Education

By: Rebecca Robison, Reporter Photo Credit: JRSUSA.org The global rise in the number of conflicts, particularly protracted conflicts, has resulted in a drastic increase in refugees. In fact, the number of displaced persons worldwide has reached its highest level since World War II. The event “A Crisis Unfolding: Access to Education for Refugees in Africa?” held … Continue reading The Mounting Challenges in Refugee Education

Death from Above? The United States Must Address Air Defense Challenges

By: Patrick Savage, Columnist Photo Credit: FighterSweep United States ground forces have not been killed by enemy aircraft since 1953.[i] That record is certainly due in large part to the advantages in training and equipment afforded to the United States Air Force and the United States Army’s air defense units. However, it is also important … Continue reading Death from Above? The United States Must Address Air Defense Challenges

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

The Limits of Hard Power in Trump’s Afghanistan and South Asia Strategy

By: Stephanie Pillion, Columnist Photo Credit: US Department of Defense In a speech to Congress on August 21, 2017, President Donald Trump outlined his strategy for the Afghanistan and South Asia region. President Trump’s speech focused on three core pillars, which balance the use of hard with soft power in US strategy for the region. … Continue reading The Limits of Hard Power in Trump’s Afghanistan and South Asia Strategy