Armed Conflicts

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Now that Putin has withdrawn Russia’s overwhelming military support, Assad is under new and unexpected pressure to reach a compromise.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

Bernie Sanders, Foreign Policy Realist

Bernie Sanders, Foreign Policy Realist Bernie Sanders, Foreign Policy Realist

Without restraint abroad, we will never be able to focus on rebuilding our country at home. 

Mar 8, 2016 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

The Clinton-Backed Honduran Regime Is Picking Off Indigenous Leaders

The Clinton-Backed Honduran Regime Is Picking Off Indigenous Leaders The Clinton-Backed Honduran Regime Is Picking Off Indigenous Leaders

The names of Berta Cáceres’s murderers are yet unknown. But we know who killed her.

Mar 3, 2016 / Greg Grandin

Drone Afghanistan

Who Will You Vote for as Drone Commander in Chief? Who Will You Vote for as Drone Commander in Chief?

Every major candidate from both parties has plans to maintain some version of Washington’s drone campaigns.

Mar 3, 2016 / Mattea Kramer

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