Foreign Policy Blogs

The Rise of ISIS

The Day after ISIS in Iraq

The Day after ISIS in Iraq

It is crucial to plan beyond the short-term military strategy and work to create a new environment in which ISIS or its successor cannot re-emerge.

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Turkey’s Syrian Blowback

Turkey’s Syrian Blowback

The current Turkish struggle with IS is a complete reversal from the early years of the Syrian civil war, when Turkey supported opposition against Assad.

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Fighting Extremism in the Trump Age

Fighting Extremism in the Trump Age

The biggest obstacle to America’s use of soft power in the combat against extremism abroad is the recent emergence of extremism in America.

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Prague’s Terrorist Perils

Prague’s Terrorist Perils

In late August, Martin Konvicka, a Czech anti-immigrant nationalist planned and staged a fake ISIS assault in the middle Prague’s Old Town Square.

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Can the Mujahidin Teach Us About ISIS?

Can the Mujahidin Teach Us About ISIS?

History never repeats; but it rhymes, and it often echoes. What can Robert Kaplan’s study of the mujahidin teach us about ISIS?

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The Wider Implications of ISIS’ Istanbul Bombing

The Wider Implications of ISIS’ Istanbul Bombing

The recent attack on the Istanbul Ataturk airport by ISIS will only exacerbate Turkey’s serious tourism and economic woes.

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John McCain Blames ISIS on Obama

John McCain Blames ISIS on Obama

Senator McCain has blamed President Obama’s Iraq policy for the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida. His argument doesn’t stand scrutiny.

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Sunni Areas Post-ISIS: Occupation by Sunni Powers?

Sunni Areas Post-ISIS: Occupation by Sunni Powers?

Current governments of Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan should rule over their ethnic populations while Sunni areas should be occupied by foreign Sunni powers.

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The Fall of ISIS Begins with Mosul

The Fall of ISIS Begins with Mosul

Taking back Mosul would be a key victory for the Iraqi Army and coalition forces and a disastrous defeat for the Islamic State.

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ISIS Increased Attacks Abroad are a Sign of Weakness

ISIS Increased Attacks Abroad are a Sign of Weakness

ISIS’s increased activity abroad is a sign of weakness rather than strength: the group has lost around 20% of its territory in Syria and over 40% in Iraq since its peak expansion in August 2014.

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Palmyra and the Battle over History

Palmyra and the Battle over History

The ancient city of Palmyra has been the stage for mass executions, the destruction of cultural heritage, battles between ISIS and Syrian government forces, and now in an absurd turn of events, a concert put on by Russia’s Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.

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The Islamic State in Singapore

The Islamic State in Singapore

On May 3, Singapore announced that it had detained 8 Bangladeshi workers in April for their alleged membership to the Islamic State in Bangladesh and on suspicion of planning attacks.

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Why are we Ignoring a Genocide?

Why are we Ignoring a Genocide?

Despite the EU and the US confirming this fact, the Canadian government has resisted calling the atrocities taking place in Syria and Iraq a genocide.

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Brussels Attacks: The Immediate Aftermath

Brussels Attacks: The Immediate Aftermath

The Islamic state has claimed responsibility for the two attacks in Brussels, Belgium.

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The Islamic State in Libya

The Islamic State in Libya

ISIS’ growing activity has caught the attention of U.S. officials who see no other option than to address the Islamic State threat in Libya with military action.

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