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Here are two images that depict far better than any writing what our Nation and our people are all about.

“If the U.S. truly wishes to assist Afghanistan it must end the debate over semantics and remove lawyers from the war room. It's time to take the handcuffs off American airpower.”

Drones being used in Iraq and Syria range from state-of-the-art military hardware used by the US-led coalition to rudimentary consumer products used by IS and various militias.

"As Islamic State loses territory in the grinding war in the Middle East, it is turning to less elaborate but lethal direct attacks on civilian targets."

Continue on for the agenda and links to the panel discussions.

"Until recently, the Army believed WAS to be as important a mission as classic combined arms maneuver, what most civilians would call combat."

Pakistan is hesitant to take action against the Afghan Taliban on its soil because of concerns the group will re-direct its violence against Pakistan and Afghan intelligence will support it.

“You know you’re in trouble when success produces more problems than failure.”

“Pakistan’s double game has long frustrated American officials, and it has grown worse.”

“American Special Operations troops have been stationed at two outposts in eastern and western Libya since late 2015.”

“Rather than preserve human engagement capabilities that do more to win wars of today and peace of the future, the Army is divesting itself of a large number of civil affairs forces.”

“A new unit run by Afghanistan's main intelligence agency has begun operations in southern Helmand province with a mission to exploit divisions within the Taliban insurgency.”

CIA’s Intelligence Art Gallery recently added another unique work of art to its collection. “A Contingency for Every Action” is the first still-life painting in the Agency’s collection.

Efforts to hack away at the Islamic State terror group's wealth are making good progress but are not yet close to crippling its finances.

"The role of influence is often more important than anything."

“After years of failed overtures, representatives of Mr. Hekmatyar, whose whereabouts is unknown, are now said to be finalizing a peace agreement.”

1985 New York Times book review, by James Chace, of Richard Nixon’s “No More Vietnams”.

“Even after the extremists are defeated in Iraq and Syria, the problem will persist. ‘We’ll be in a perpetual state of suppression for a long time’”.

This CNAS report examines the current state of U.S. support for Syria’s opposition groups in each region and makes a case for scaling up that support.

SWJ El Centro Fellow Molly Molloy shares her thoughts on the possible imminent extradition of El Chapo Guzmán.

“If Obama can reach some understanding with Iran, he can rid himself of the pesky Middle East and pivot - a word that comes to mind - elsewhere.”

“The starkest example to date of a blurry line between the missions that American forces are supposed to be fulfilling — military training and advising — and combat.”

“After months of un­expectedly swift advances, the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State is running into hurdles on and off the battlefield.”

“Current and former US officials believe that CIA station chief, Mark Kelton, may have been poisoned by the Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.”

Ricks at FP, links to what others are saying.