The Washington Post
Monday, October 6, 2014 - 06:06
As America’s efforts to “degrade and ultimately destroy” Islamic State militants extend into Syria, Iraq War III has seamlessly morphed into Greater Middle East Battlefield XIV. That is, Syria has become at least the 14th country in the Islamic world that U.S. forces have invaded or occupied or bombed, and in which American soldiers have killed or been killed. And that’s just since 1980.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - 07:12
The Obama administration will greatly increase the number of Syrian refugees approved for permanent resettlement in the United States next year but has opted against a separate refugee program to serve victims of that intractable civil war, administration officials said Tuesday.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - 06:21
As outlined a short time ago on Checkpoint, the cost of the U.S. military campaign against the Islamic State is likely closing in on $1 billion, and could rise at a cost of between $200 million and $320 million per month as it continues.
Monday, September 29, 2014 - 05:47
President Obama announced last week an expanded U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The lion’s share of personnel assisting in the response comes from the U.S. military – an estimated 3,000 troops will be deployed to the region. Leading the effort will be Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, commander of the U.S. Army Africa, part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Monday, September 29, 2014 - 05:42
In a village emblematic of a long and brutal conflict: "We no longer know if even God can end this war."
Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 07:50
Germany’s defense minister is in northern Iraq to talk with Kurdish leaders about the fight against Islamic State extremists and Berlin’s efforts to help with arms deliveries.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 - 05:59
Due in part to Washington’s preoccupation with the role the U.S. military will or will not play in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State, there has been very little discussion about the plausible scenarios that could confront our troops who are being deployed to West Africa to fight the Ebola outbreak.
Monday, September 22, 2014 - 06:15
For the sake of the cameras, President Obama assured Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at a White House meeting Thursday that “not only do we support Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence in words, but we’ve also been supporting it in deeds.” If only that were true. The reality is that the beleaguered Ukrainian leader left Washington backed by considerable rhetoric from the Obama administration but little with which he can turn back the continuing Russian aggression against his country.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 06:50
Here’s a national-security riddle: How can President Obama provide limited military support on the ground to help “degrade and ultimately destroy” the Islamic State without formally violating his pledge not to send U.S. combat troops? The answer may lie in the legal alchemy known as “Title 50.”
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 06:47
URUMQI, China — On a rocky hilltop close to the city of Urumqi in China’s troubled Xinjiang region, five men don black bandanas decorated with Arabic writing. A black flag used by jihadi groups across the world flutters behind them as they press their hands together in a circle and pledge their allegiance to holy war.