Blog Posts

Despite a growing narrative that North Korea might be teetering on the verge of collapse, there is a lack of consensus among U.S. experts on the imminent downfall of the reclusive regime.

"The Pentagon is compiling a list of Iraqis who have risked their lives to assist U.S. forces in order to exempt them from the immigration ban."

“Over 100 officers warn the restrictions will hurt U.S. efforts to prevent terrorist attacks.”

National Security Presidential Memorandum - Full Text - The White House Office of the Press Secretary

“The Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director called it "a big mistake" by President Trump to downgrade the status of the director of the DNI and the CJCS on the NSC.”

President Trump has reorganized the NSC by elevating his chief strategist Steve Bannon and demoting the DNI and the CJCS.

“Any shifts by the U.S. military would have broad repercussions for U.S. relationships across the Middle East.”

"Many critics have focused on the downsides of alliances and have lost sight of what allies and coalition partners contribute to American interests."

The application of international law and legal principles in cyberspace is a topic that has caused confusion, doubt, and interminable discussions.

"New ships and planes, additional Special Operations forces and the modernization of the nuclear arsenal, while cutting projects that are not considered the highest priorities."

"President Donald Trump will likely give the Joint Chiefs of Staff Friday a series of objectives for fighting ISIS so the military can design the strategic and tactical options."

"A draft executive order, reportedly from the White House, could revive currently prohibited interrogation methods, which include waterboarding, and secret, 'black site' prisons."

"The operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul is the most intense urban combat anywhere in the world in recent times."

“President Trump inherits the battle at a moment when the extremist group is losing ground in Iraq and Syria. The group's self-declared caliphate is looking increasingly fragile.”

Senator McCain said he had been assured by defense chief Mattis and new CIA Director Pompeo that they would adhere to the Army Field Manual's limits on interrogation of terrorist suspects.

"It appears that new Defense Secretary James Mattis is preparing to start as early as Friday, when Trump is scheduled to visit the Pentagon."

"There are times when quick action can do more harm than good. The way in which the United States deals with violent Islamic extremism and terrorism is a case in point."

"With Britain set to leave the bloc within the next few years, the calls for a European Union military force could grow louder."

"Use of the law as a weapon of war may find favor with the Trump administration, according to some scholars and attorneys. The concept is popularly known as lawfare."

“Not enough was being done by the government of South Vietnam to remove the causes of the insurgency or the conditions that had driven so many to want to live under Communism.”

"The reality is, the U.S. military continues to rely on the Marines as a land force for confronting the nation’s most challenging ground-level, ­infantry-oriented missions."

"Experts see one hybrid tactic – narrative and cyber – playing an increasingly prominent role in current conflicts."

Continue on for the latest issue of the Combating Terrorism Center’s Sentinel.

"A handgun is not an aircraft carrier... The system is broken."

Short and sweet - Via USNI - SECDEF Mattis’ first message.