ISIS and the Politics of Surprise

by Paul Pillar The recent burst of recriminations about what the U.S. intelligence community did or did not tell the president of the United States in advance about the rise of the extremist group sometimes called ISIS, and about associated… Continue Reading

Azerbaijan Pursues Drones, New Security Hopes

by Shahin Abbasov  Heightened tensions with longtime foe Armenia over breakaway Nagorno Karabakh and mediator Russia’s Ukrainian adventure appear to be pushing Caspian-Sea energy power Azerbaijan ever more strongly toward a military strategy of self-reliance. The strategy comes via two approaches: first, a build-up in Azerbaijani-made… Continue Reading

Mecca, Money and Monotheism

by Thomas W. Lippman One of the pleasures of visiting Jeddah, the historic Red Sea port of entry for Muslims traveling to Mecca, is visiting the awe-inspiring home of Sami Angawi, Saudi Arabia’s most renowned architect. Everything about it is… Continue Reading

Where is Libya Headed?

by Wayne White While the world’s attention is focused elsewhere, Libya continues descending into ever-greater chaos, with Islamist militants now holding the upper hand. The longer this writhing maelstrom remains on the global back burner, the higher the chances of… Continue Reading