National Security Archives - Page 39 of 65

ISIL, Iraq and Syria: Why Military Action Won’t Do The Trick

Defeating rogue groups requires effective, representative governments in the states they occupy.

A year ago, Obama said he wanted to move past it. Yet here we are again.

There are so many shades of grey that no one but Barack Obama himself will need to take responsibility for it.

Herewith, my predictions on how this whole thing is going to play out.

The one aspect of his plan they’re willing to vote to support is the one with the greatest risks.

All of the other options are worse.

Republicans and even some Democrats are telling us to get our fear on. But the president, who might have things to gain from it, isn’t joining in.

Non-state terrorism was a bewildering foreign policy and military challenge in 2001, and even more so now.

The answer may not be so simple, and now’s the time to ask the question.

He’d like to get out of the Middle East, but the actions of ruthless enemies draw him back.