Armed Conflicts

There Is No Military Solution for Syria

There Is No Military Solution for Syria There Is No Military Solution for Syria

Longtime UN diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi talks about how to end the tragedy, and when you really need diplomacy.

Mar 18, 2016 / Barbara Crossette

The Syrian Who Wanted the Revolution, Part Seven: The Salvation

The Syrian Who Wanted the Revolution, Part Seven: The Salvation The Syrian Who Wanted the Revolution, Part Seven: The Salvation

On the fifth anniversary of the revolt, the film collective Abounaddara gives a voice, a face, and a humanity to one of the country’s bludgeoned survivors.

Mar 18, 2016 / Moustafa Bayoumi

The 5 Questions You Won’t Hear Asked at Any Presidential Debate

The 5 Questions You Won’t Hear Asked at Any Presidential Debate The 5 Questions You Won’t Hear Asked at Any Presidential Debate

Unless we address these long-standing foreign policy questions, we’ll continue playing international whack-a-mole for the next four years.

Mar 17, 2016 / Peter Van Buren

Was Putin’s Syria Withdrawal Really a ‘Surprise’?

Was Putin’s Syria Withdrawal Really a ‘Surprise’? Was Putin’s Syria Withdrawal Really a ‘Surprise’?

American officials and pundits expressed “surprise” over Putin’s announcement while missing its primary significance.

Mar 16, 2016 / Stephen F. Cohen

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Russian officials.

‘The Operative in the Kremlin’ Shocks the West Over Syria Withdrawal ‘The Operative in the Kremlin’ Shocks the West Over Syria Withdrawal

Now that Putin has withdrawn Russia’s overwhelming military support, Assad is under new and unexpected pressure to reach a compromise.

Mar 15, 2016 / James Carden

Pentagon

The Case for Demilitarizing the Military The Case for Demilitarizing the Military

Civilian control of the military is a minimal condition for democracy. Too bad the United States doesn’t meet it.

Mar 15, 2016 / Gregory D. Foster

The Kurds Should Prepare Themselves for Yet Another Betrayal

The Kurds Should Prepare Themselves for Yet Another Betrayal The Kurds Should Prepare Themselves for Yet Another Betrayal

They’ve been the most effective fighting force against ISIS. But they might soon be abandoned by their US and Western allies.

Mar 14, 2016 / James Carden

protesters in Diyarbakir

Turkey Is Fighting a Dirty War Against Its Own Kurdish Population Turkey Is Fighting a Dirty War Against Its Own Kurdish Population

A report from behind the lines, as PKK rebels resist a ferocious government campaign to crush their uprising.

Mar 9, 2016 / Jesse Rosenfeld

Natalie Jaresko

Kiev Increasingly Resembles an American Colony Kiev Increasingly Resembles an American Colony

The possibility that an American may become Ukraine’s prime minister increases the impression that Kiev’s major decisions are made in Washington.

Mar 9, 2016 / Stephen F. Cohen

Kerry, Lavrov, de Mistura at talks in Munich

The New Cold Warriors Bare Their Fangs Ahead of the Next Round of Syria Peace Talks The New Cold Warriors Bare Their Fangs Ahead of the Next Round of Syria Peace Talks

They praise anyone thought to be standing up to Russia, no matter how noxious.

Mar 8, 2016 / James Carden

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