Qatar’s Diminishing Returns in Syria

by Giorgio Cafiero Recent developments have set back Qatar’s five-and-a-half-year campaign to topple the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad. Donald Trump’s win last month and the president-elect’s vows to sever Washington’s limited support for Syrian rebels, Russia and China’s… Continue Reading →

Will the Trump Administration Start a War with Iran?

by Paul R. Pillar The direct stakes in whether the Trump administration adheres to the agreement that restricts the Iranian nuclear program are important enough, in terms of nuclear nonproliferation.  Also important are the opportunities to build on that agreement… Continue Reading →

Donald Trump and the Swamp of War

by Andrew J. Bacevich President-elect Donald Trump’s message for the nation’s senior military leadership is ambiguously unambiguous. Here is he on 60 Minutes just days after winning the election. Trump: “We have some great generals. We have great generals.” Lesley… Continue Reading →

Mattis on Iran: Belligerent, but Don’t Tear Up Nuclear Deal

by Jim Lobe Marine Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis is the odds-on favorite for Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of defense. It’s worth exploring his views on Iran particularly in light of the ultra-hawkish positions of both National Security Adviser-designate… Continue Reading →

Obama Brought the Islamic State to Its Knees; Watch Donald Trump Take the Credit

by Wayne White Much like the vicious rampage against suspected German Army “cowards” and “traitors” by SS fanatics in Nazi Berlin in 1945 as the Red Army closed in, Islamic State cadres have been on a frenzy executing real or… Continue Reading →