By: Andrew Swick, Columnist Photo Credit: The Washington Post Last week marked the expiration of the Pentagon’s 30-day planning period to develop new options for the military to employ against the Islamic State (ISIS). On Monday, in a meeting of the National Security Council Principals Committee, Defense Secretary James Mattis presented several proposals resulting from … Continue reading The DoD’s “New” Plans for ISIS
Category: Military & Defense
Can H.R. McMaster Purge Groupthink from the White House?
By: Lauren Prudente, Columnist Photo Credit: NPR After Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster was recently chosen by President Trump to fill the position of National Security Advisor (NSA) previously been held by Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, experts in Washington lauded the choice due to McMaster’s extensive military and scholarly achievements. McMaster’s academic experience and past … Continue reading Can H.R. McMaster Purge Groupthink from the White House?
Mosul After ISIL: The Stability Challenges Ahead
By: Andrew Watts, Columnist Photo Credit: Yahoo The four-month operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is at a critical juncture. As the Iraqi-led security forces push through the neighborhoods west of the Tigris, the civilian-led push to return the neighborhoods on the eastern bank to a state … Continue reading Mosul After ISIL: The Stability Challenges Ahead
A Return to the Democratic Way of War
By: Joe Donato, Columnist Photo Credit: Ms. History Now In April 1975, millions watched as the last American helicopter lifted off from the roof of the US Embassy in Saigon, the dramatic final act of a national tragedy broadcast across the globe. Ten years earlier, the United States had confidently entered Vietnam to crusade against … Continue reading A Return to the Democratic Way of War
Containing NATO: Russia’s Growing A2/AD Capability in the Mediterranean
By: Emily Kangas, Columnist Photo Credit: US Naval Institute On January 20, 2017, Russia signed a long-term agreement with Syria to expand their naval and air base in Tartus and Latakia, respectively.[i] Though the agreement was arguably signed under the auspices of supporting counterterrorism, the base expansions will bolster Russia’s regional military presence in scope … Continue reading Containing NATO: Russia’s Growing A2/AD Capability in the Mediterranean
The Wars of Today and Tomorrow: A Conversation with Douglas Lute
By: Will Chim, Reporter Photo Credit: United States Institute of Peace (USIP) This month, the United States Institute of Peace hosted a discussion event with Douglas Lute to discuss “the wars of today and tomorrow”. Lute, former Ambassador to NATO and retired United States Army Lieutenant General, focused on ways that NATO has adapted after … Continue reading The Wars of Today and Tomorrow: A Conversation with Douglas Lute
A Crossroads for Kosovo
By: Patrick Savage, Columnist Photo Credit: World Politics Review The past month has seen a dramatic rise in tension between Serbia and Kosovo following several high profile diplomatic incidents, raising the specter of a new war in the Balkans. In the short term, such a conflict is unlikely due to several inhibiting factors. But in … Continue reading A Crossroads for Kosovo
Should We Worry About Iran’s Ballistic Missiles?
By: Farnaz Alimehri, Columnist Photo Credit: International Business Times The latest series of Iranian tests have drawn international scrutiny to Iran’s ballistic missile program. Reports of a new Iranian missile test began as early as January 29, 2017.[i] On Wednesday, February 1, 2017, Iran claimed to have test launched a medium-range ballistic missile.[ii] The missile … Continue reading Should We Worry About Iran’s Ballistic Missiles?
The Yemen Raid: Uncertain Implications for US Counterterrorism Policy and Decision-making
By: Nicole Magney, Columnist Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times The United States has been involved in counterterrorism (CT) efforts in Yemen for years, but the special operations raid on an Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) compound on January 29 in Al-Bayda governorate indicates a significant shift in the US CT approach in the country. … Continue reading The Yemen Raid: Uncertain Implications for US Counterterrorism Policy and Decision-making
Avoiding the Next War
By: Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo Credit: New York Times While much remains for the world to do to bring about the ultimate destruction of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a world in which ISIS no longer exists could pose a larger challenge to the United States and the region writ large. Without … Continue reading Avoiding the Next War