Blog Posts

“The president’s proposal to boost military spending at the expense of diplomacy and foreign aid won't lead to victory.”

"Even if extremist groups in Africa were wiped out militarily, the continent's massive population of young people would continue to be susceptible to terror groups."

"If Tillerson doesn’t develop a stronger voice, control of foreign policy is likely to move increasingly toward Stephen K. Bannon."

"There appears to be no final agreement on the disposition of the Raqqa attack force - whether U.S.-backed Kurdish militiamen or Turkish-led Syrian rebels will be in the vanguard."

“The battle to recapture Islamic State’s de facto capital in Syria risks drawing world powers deeper into the country’s long war.”

"A strategy session on how to counter the Islamic State after a widely expected U.S.-backed military assault on the extremists’ home base."

“The U.S. should take a closer look at where the fighting is stalemated, where political progress can be made, and where urgent humanitarian action is needed.”

"The U.S. and Russia have found themselves teaming up for the first time in the war in Syria - against a country both call an ally - Turkey."

The enemy is being degraded by every measure and is on a trajectory to lasting defeat, a defense official told reporters on background today.

Continue on for links to the latest online issue and individual articles.

Acting DoS Spokesman Mark Toner rejected suggestions that the State Department has been marginalized in the new Trump administration.

The latest alleged bombshell meant to send shockwaves through the U.S. intelligence community is stoking renewed fears about the ability to secure classified information.

“This struggle, or "war," will be won or lost at a global level. It is a fight for the hearts and minds of some 1.6 billion Muslims throughout the world—some 23% of the world's population.”

"In a COIN environment where the population is the center of gravity, access to the entire population is an obvious necessity for operational success."

“The military’s favored option among several variations currently under White House review, would ease a number of restrictions on U.S. activities.”

“In the absence of a coherent national strategy, arbitrary increases in the defense budget will do little to make America safer.”

NSA H.R. McMaster to appear before the SASC and on defeating ISIS.

The U.S. administration’s new national security adviser has reportedly told his staff that Muslims who carry out terrorist acts are corrupting Islam.

Continue on for the press release on this GSSR Special Issue and a link to download.

“President Trump's new adviser will need to avoid the Vietnam-era mistakes he studied.”

Continue on for information about and how to pre-order a Secretary of Defense “required” reading by Dr. Nadia Schadlow.

Continue on for an issue overview by Editor-in-Chief Paul Cruickshank and links to this month’s articles.

“In a White House laden with competing power centers, a trio of military men has emerged as a force to be reckoned with.”

Countering the threats posed by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea - and countering violent extremism - is still the correct way to benchmark what the Defense Department must do.

“The defense secretary clashes with the White House about staffing the Pentagon.”