Ramadi: No Model for the Future

by Wayne White The recapture of most of the Iraqi city of Ramadi is good news, especially since Iraq Army units backed by Sunni Arab tribesmen pulled it off without abusive Shi’a militias. This victory, however, was tarnished by the… 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 →

Are U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia Hurting its Own Interests in the Region?

by Leah Schulz Last month the United States approved a $1.29 billion arms deal to Saudi Arabia. This deal is the latest in a string of major arms sales agreements totaling $20.8 billion since the Gulf country began fighting in… Continue Reading →

America’s Secret African Drone War Against the Islamic State

by Nick Turse On October 7th, at an “undisclosed location” somewhere in “Southwest Asia,” men wearing different types of camouflage and dun-colored boots gathered before a black backdrop adorned with Arabic script.  They were attending a ceremony that mixed solemnity… Continue Reading →

What Are Russians up to in Syria?

by Eldar Mamedov In remarks on December 11 intended to increase pressure on Turkey, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to act in an “extremely tough way” in Syria to protect Russian forces attacking Islamic State (ISIS or IS) targets.… Continue Reading →