Micah Zenko
Thursday, July 2, 2015 - 07:03
Officials and members of congress repeat the same politically salient clichés; adopt recycled assumptions; and then appear surprised when things continue to go poorly. Officials are simply too vested to objectively evaluate current strategies, demonstrate strategic learning, or implement meaningful new policies. It is time to recognize failure and take steps to initiate change.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - 07:16
We recently passed the nine-month anniversary since the start of the U.S.-led air campaign, later named Operation Inherent Resolve, against the self-declared Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. The air war, which Secretary of State John Kerry then described as definitively not a war, but rather “a heightened level of counterterrorism operation,” shows no sign of ending. In an unnoticed indicator found in the prepared testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, two U.S. Air Force lieutenant generals acknowledged: “These combat operations are expected to continue long-term (3+ years).”
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 10:26
The United States has a new policy on unmanned aircraft systems. But the rest of the world may not like it -- and for good reason. The State Department has released a new policy on military drone exports, thereby settling what had been an exhaustive interagency review that was prompted primarily by drone manufacturers seeking clarity about what countries they could export to.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - 08:01
Why the administration’s muddy logic for intervention on behalf of a deeply unpopular central government will get America engaged in a Middle Eastern civil war.
Monday, June 16, 2014 - 07:33
The interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya show that the use of force as the primary instrument did not sustainably secure U.S. interests in those countries over time, nor assure U.S. allies of its mutual defense obligations, and had no latent capacity to deter potential adversaries.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - 09:27
Last Friday, Navy SEALs reportedly attacked a compound in the coastal city of Barawe, Somalia, with the goal of capturing or killing a senior leader of al-Shabab. According to an Obama administration official: "It did not achieve the objective." Hours later, Army Delta Force commandos were reportedly involved in a mission in Tripoli, Libya, which led to the capture of Abu Anas al-Libi, who was indicted in a U.S. district court for his alleged involvement in the U.S. African embassy bombings in 1998.