True, and False, Meanings of U.S. Leadership

by Paul R. Pillar A recent column by David Ignatius contains an important insight about how different countries perceive their roles in countering the extremist group known as ISIS. Ignatius observed a table-top war game at Israel’s Institute for National Security… Continue Reading

The Obama Administration Is Right to Reject the “Settlements=Israel” Conflation

by Lara Friedman Attention is finally focusing on a bill pending in Congress that would make it U.S. policy to defend and support Israeli settlements. Known as the Customs Bill, this legislation regulates U.S. trade relations with foreign countries and… Continue Reading

Fantasies of a Liberal Interventionist

by Paul R. Pillar Ill-fated U.S. military adventures abroad have had various fathers, even though some of those fathers have tried to disavow paternity once the problems became apparent. Neoconservatives figure prominently in this story, especially given that one of… Continue Reading

Russian Involvement and a Redirection of Policy on Syria

by Paul R. Pillar The recently increased Russian involvement in Syria ought to be viewed as an opportunity, more so than as a threat or as something that needs to be countered. Although Moscow’s current involvement is only an extension… Continue Reading

Next Hurdle for Iran Deal: AIPAC’s Plan B (Endorsed by Post)

by Jim Lobe AIPAC’s Plan B—codified in the “Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015” of Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)—is now definitely in the cards (pun intended) and will pose the next major obstacle to the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Program… Continue Reading