In The News

Battle for Aleppo Carries High Stakes for Syria

Yaroslav Trofimov August 12, 2016
The Syrian city of Aleppo is divided and in ruins. Russia and Iran support the regime of Bashar al-Assad while the United States targets the Islamic State and maintains that conflict will continue as long as the dictator remains in power. Protests against the regime in 2011 turned to rebellion, drawing both moderate Syrians and sectarian fighters. Rebel groups, like al Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front...

How Climate Disasters Can Drive Violent Conflict Around the World

Chelsea Harvey August 3, 2016
Higher temperatures and rising sea levels associated with climate change are expected to contribute to food and water shortages, in turn displacing communities. “Overall, multiple studies have indicated a connection between climate and conflict, although several have suggested that the link may be weak,” notes Chelsea Harvey for the Washington Post. A research study published in the Proceedings...

In Humayun Khan and His Family, A Complex Portrait of Patriotism

AJ Willingham August 1, 2016
US Army Captain Humayun Khan, 27, the son of Pakistani immigrants, died in service of his country in Iraq. Twelve years later, Khizr Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of candidate Hillary Clinton. The father’s speech, a powerful testament to American values, criticized Donald Trump and resonated in the convention hall and beyond, demonstrating the ability of US citizens...

US Airstrike Against Taliban Leader Crossed a Pakistani “Red Line”

Tim Craig and Greg Miller May 25, 2016
US President Barack Obama ordered a drone strike that killed Taliban leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansour in Baluchistan – defying Pakistan’s request to limit such strikes to the northwestern tribal belt. Afghan leaders are frustrated by terrorists waging attacks against their country, then crossing the border for shelter in Pakistan. “Now, some Pakistani leaders are rattled, saying they fear the...

Can Assad Keep Crossing the “Red Line”?

David Ignatius May 17, 2016
Major international powers have intervened in Syria’s civil war with the hopes of ending atrocities, extremism and a flow of refugees. But countries disagree about a role for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Unconfirmed reports allege that Syria did not eliminate all its stockpiles of chemical weapons, as agreed in 2013, and Assad’s troops have since used nerve gas against Islamic State fighters. “...

Moderate Syrian Rebels Torn Between Giving Up, Joining Islamic Extremists

Sam Dagher May 6, 2016
The Syrian civil war has raged for more than five years, a long time in a nation where half the people are under the age of 24. Intervention from Russia in recent months has given the Assad regime the upper hand. Assad troops are closing in on moderate Syrian rebels who are forced to decide: surrender and hope to settle with a brutal and corrupt government, team up with extremists, or somehow...

South China Sea: The Fight China Will Take to the Brink of War

Peter Hartcher April 28, 2016
China and the United States are competing for military dominance of the western Pacific Ocean and war could flare over the South China Sea, reports Peter Hartcher for the Sydney Morning Herald. Beijing has said it won’t comply with a ruling from the International Court of Justice in the Hague that upholds claims from the Philippines. The United States and Australia are not taking sides in the...