Al-Qaeda and Iran: The Bond that Does Not Exist

by Nelly Lahoud As the U.S. government continues to escalate its policy towards Iran, it would be sensible to eliminate al-Qaeda’s historical ties to Iran from its list of grievances. President Trump cited these ties when, in May 2018, he… Continue Reading

Protecting Somali Minorities Is Good Military Strategy

by Daniel Van Lehman and Lindsay J. Benstead President Trump—citing national security concerns—signed an executive order in April granting a one-year extension to the mandate of U.S. Special Operations Forces in Somalia. This has led many to question military involvement,… Continue Reading

As U.S. Weighs War, Iraqis Prepare a Carnival for Peace

by Laura Gottesdiener There’s a dark joke going around Baghdad these days. Noof Assi, a 30-year-old Iraqi peace activist and humanitarian worker, told it to me by phone. Our conversation takes place in late May just after the Trump administration… Continue Reading