Foreign Policy Blogs

The Rise of ISIS

Assessing the Risk of an ISIS “Dirty Bomb”

Assessing the Risk of an ISIS “Dirty Bomb”

ISIS’ potential acquisition of radioactive material puts forward a scenario in which the extremist group may try to produce and use a “dirty bomb”.

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Uprooting Islamic State?

Uprooting Islamic State?

Lacking outside alliances and with the geopolitical situation slowly starting to tilt against it, Islamic State’s pretensions to act as a legitimate government seem to have its days numbered.

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Should ISIS Fighters be Allowed to Return Home?

Should ISIS Fighters be Allowed to Return Home?

Since preventing terrorist acts is extremely difficult—why take any chances by allowing fighters to return?

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Jakarta in Hunt for an Estimated 1,000 Islamic State Supporters

Jakarta in Hunt for an Estimated 1,000 Islamic State Supporters

One country on the forefront of the battle against the Islamic State is Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, which has over the past year successfully crushed militant cells.

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The Timing of ISIS’ Attacks on Paris

The Timing of ISIS’ Attacks on Paris

In quick succession, the set of ISIS attacks in Paris, Sharm el-Sheikh and Beirut suggest that the group has crossed a threshold for international terrorism.

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Obama’s Strategy, ISIS’s Coercive Diplomacy, and Escalation Dominance

Obama’s Strategy, ISIS’s Coercive Diplomacy, and Escalation Dominance

Deterrence theory may help explain ISIS’s change of strategy and also how to address it.

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GailForce: Aspen Security Forum Part II – Terrorism

GailForce:  Aspen Security Forum Part II – Terrorism

Defeating terrorism is a worldwide problem that requires a worldwide policy.

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GailForce: Aspen Security Forum Part I

GailForce: Aspen Security Forum Part I

Cybersecurity and terrorism were the two topics that dominated the Aspen Security Forum this year.

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Marshalling Candor Spirit before ‘Countering Violent Extremism’

Marshalling Candor Spirit before ‘Countering Violent Extremism’

Violent extremism presents existential dilemma to all irrespective of faith, race, political and economic status. Countering such seemingly ubiquitous threat requires comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes and effects of the issue at hand.

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Turkey Loses Iraqi Market to Iran over ISIS

Turkey Loses Iraqi Market to Iran over ISIS

Since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office in August 2013, he has pursued a foreign policy based on fostering amiable diplomatic and economic ties with Iran’s neighbors and resolving the country’s nuclear issue with Iran’s P5+1 negotiating partners.

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Anti-Jihad as strategy?

Anti-Jihad as strategy?

In the wake of the Paris shootings, Joseph Lieberman and Newt Gingrich voiced a call for war against Islamist radicalism.

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A Look at Canada’s War on the Islamic State

A Look at Canada’s War on the Islamic State

While Canada’s contribution of air assets and special forces to the coalition campaign has enhanced its effectiveness, it should send more special forces and expand reconstruction aid to help the coalition achieve its ultimate strategic aims.

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Past, Present, Future: Gulf Women in the Economy

Past, Present, Future: Gulf Women in the Economy

With the appearance of oil in the mid-20th century, the structure of the average Arabian family began to change. So, too, did women’s participation in the economy and their societal status.

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ISIS suicide bomber threatens to massacre Shiites

ISIS suicide bomber threatens to massacre Shiites

A recent video that was translated into English by MEMRI highlights the sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shias in Iraq.

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The Casual Propagandist Today

The Casual Propagandist Today

The exposure and arrest of @ShamiWitness, one of the “most-followed” ISIS-fan accounts on Twitter, is indicative of the problems inherent in trying to monitor the Islamic State’s activities from afar.

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