Blog Posts

If the United States goes back to the Middle East in force, how will it do so? Certainly no one hears any thoughts on the subject from the active military.

"A Taliban attack killed six U.S. service members near Kabul on Monday, U.S. officials said, in the latest sign of deepening violence across Afghanistan."

"Recent deserters have told researchers they fled the self-proclaimed Islamic State group because of a mismatch between the words and deeds of the extremist group."

"IS militants are not as capable as some criminal networks or rival nations, but IS has more capabilities than any other terrorist organization... And they can gain more."

"Why have tens of thousands of people from around the world chosen to live under the Islamic State’s draconian rule and fight under its black flag?"

"The war in Afghanistan has always been a collection of tiny wars fought from tiny outposts that have their own heroes and villains, pitched battles and murky outcomes."

"The mission was always devilishly complex: a combination of guerrilla warfare, social outreach, military training and institution-building in a forbidding and often hostile land."

"Sending significant ground forces back to the Middle East could conceivably result in the deaths of 100 American soldiers every month."

Shawn Brimley argues that the U.S. military edge, particularly in regards to technology, is rapidly eroding. Brimley makes recommendations for how to rebuild America’s military advantage.

Continue on for the latest Strategic Studies Institute research and analysis papers.

"A report that examines trends related to the kidnapping of Westerners by jihadist groups."

"U.S. soldiers accused Afghan police and Navy SEALs of abusing detainees. But the SEAL command opted against a court-martial and cleared its men of wrongdoing."

Question – what do Vladimir Putin and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi have in common?  Answer – both man’s dream of territorial expansion are failing. 

“The nation's top military officer said the Pentagon will revamp combat commands for the 'fight of the future' because current 'old plans' take too long to execute.”

"A new Saudi-led Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism could be part of a solution, but Riyadh will have to first overcome its ambivalence toward Islamic extremism."

"The Islamic State’s leaders may see advantage in increasing their encouragement of overseas terrorism, even to the point of directing attacks."

“Saudi Arabia said all the right things in announcing a Islamic military coalition against terrorism. The move could help in some ways. But it could also be window dressing.”

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed his short-term priority – defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – and provided insight into his long-term goals.

"U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said President Barack Obama has reiterated to the military the need to accelerate the campaign against Islamic State."

"After 15 years of ad hoc solutions, the Army may build specialized battalions and brigades to train and advise foreign forces."

"Obama said the U.S.-led coalition will prevail in its battle against IS, adding that the militant group is losing ground and its leaders have no place to hide."

"Despite thousands of U.S. civilians, the results in Afghanistan were very mixed."

"The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Interagency Fellowship Program is a career broadening, educational opportunity for field grade officers."

"The terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino have added urgency to the conundrum now facing the U.S. and its allies: What to do about the Islamic State group?"

How does the DoD conduct a media war, especially when considering the number of other players already in the counter-messaging game?