The Sources of Mission Creep in Syria

by Paul R. Pillar The other day we learned that there are four times more U.S. troops in Syria than any earlier official figure had acknowledged. The discrepancy did not get much public attention perhaps because the numbers are small—… Continue Reading

Poll: Middle Easterners Want Good Relations with U.S., Russia

by Derek Davison A new survey from Zogby Research Services (ZRS) finds that large majorities across the Middle East want their governments to get along with both the United States and Russia, despite their hostility toward both countries’ involvement in… Continue Reading

Russia, Turkey, Iran Meet in Sochi

by Alexey Khlebnikov There has been extensive diplomacy across the Middle East in recent months. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Turkey and Iran. Saudi Arabian King Salman made a historic visit to Moscow. Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan visited Russia… Continue Reading

War in the Middle East—Again?

by Robert E. Hunter About this time 15 years ago, the United States was gearing up for a war against Iraq. Saddam Hussein was purported to have weapons of mass destruction. There was no doubt about his aggressive intentions toward… Continue Reading