Blog Posts

Russia, Pakistan and Iran are pursuing their own agendas with regard to the fragile country, complicating the fight against terrorism and extremism.

“Any plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan won't take shape before Defense Secretary Mattis meets with his European counterparts and the war's top commander.”

“A consortium of elite, well-paid fighters from across the former Soviet Union are training jihadis in Syria. Their business model could go global.”

SSI online book the includes history, doctrine, modus operandi, and U.S. policy to degrade and defeat terrorism in the name of Sunni Islam.

“Attorneys for Sgt. Bergdahl will spar with prosecutors Monday over disparaging comments about the accused deserter made by President Trump on the campaign trail.”

He confesses to being an IS fighter and taking part in military operations, as he has already told authorities. But he maintains he has committed no crimes against civilians.

The concerns are still in the early stages, with most of those willing to share their thoughts expressing a willingness to give the Trump administration more time.

“Rather than a shattering defeat for the adversary, Mosul may be the start of a breakout to other regions.”

During today’s hearing, SASC Chairman McCain asked Nicholson outright, “In your assessment, are we winning or losing?” Nicholson replied, “We’re in a stalemate.”

“Underneath the drama and chaos of the Donald Trump White House a cadre of deeply serious, tested military intellectuals at the NSC is shaping Trump's Middle East policies.”

"The enemy is completely surrounded in West Mosul, and those who do not surrender to the Iraqi security forces will be killed there."

“The commander of U.S. forces there lays the first major war decision on Donald Trump’s desk.”

“The ‘tortoise-like’ Colombian army is losing its grip on a key cocaine zone and the cartels are offering former FARC rebels $600 per month to enlist.”

“The retired general’s most visible role has been of a different sort: soothing Americans and allies unnerved by the president and some of his top advisers.”

The election of Donald Trump as president has made America’s fight against ISIS increasingly difficult.

Objective analysis of US military effectiveness in Afghanistan and Iraq can only conclude that we were unable to translate tactical victory into operational and strategic success.

A study based on dozens of interviews with Taliban insiders suggests exploiting fractures within the group’s rank and file.

The sudden rush of dark-like thunder.  Surprise of silence.  Instant cathedral for the mind. Breathing echoes.  Fear wells.  Faith in numbers.

"Yemen has withdrawn permission for the United States to run Special Operations ground missions against suspected terrorist groups in the country."

"The NSC usually tries to act as an “honest broker” among Cabinet agencies. But how will it function under a headstrong president who sees his role as disruptor-in-chief?"

The President has turned to his generals for a military strategy, and signed an EO instructing his Cabinet and the JCS to come up with a plan within 30 days - one that can be implemented immediately.

Terrorism and counterterrorism issues discussed in a seminal conference co-hosted by Georgetown University and the University of St Andrews-Scotland.

“Officials at the DoS’ Global Engagement Center say they’re the first to tap into personal information to discourage individual users from joining the IS.”

“As the U.S. turns inward, the International Committee of the Red Cross makes the cases for funding front line aid in Syria and Iraq.”

This article summarizes a new approach to COG analysis as well as elaborating its origins and the influences on its development.