Micah Zenko examines the discrete military operations undertaken by the United States over the past twenty years to discern why they were used, if they achieved their objectives, and what determined their success or failure.

Americans have growing doubts about the U.S. mission in Afghanistan that U.S. President Barack Obama seems to share. But the United States should and will maintain a major presence in Afghanistan for years to come.

In today's Russia, officers in the country's security agencies -- especially the FSB -- wield great influence over Russia's political life, foreign policy, and economic interests.

With the conclusion of the United States' combat role in Iraq, Mohamad Bazzi asks what kind of country Iraq's citizens are inheriting after seven years of occupation and civil war.

Noah Feldman says the Obama administration faces both old and new legal challenges over U.S. defense strategies.

Max Boot says a strategy that focuses on defeating the Taliban and reducing the corruption that allows them to thrive can produce victory in Afghanistan.

Washington has for decades relied on limited military force to achieve political objectives abroad. In a new book, CFR's Micah Zenko argues these tactics, while politically popular, rarely achieve their aims.

President Obama's declaration on ending the U.S. combat mission in Iraq did not address crucial questions about America's military role in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, writes CFR President Richard N. Haass.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that Iraq and Afghanistan threaten to derail President Obama's greater goal of revitalizing the American economy.

Stephen Sestanovich comments on the "short war" within every long war fought by the United States.

Speech

Noah Feldman explains why the draw-down of troops in Iraq is a beginning and not an end.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that as U.S. troops in Iraq became mired in fighting an insurgency, Iran extended its influence.

Iraqis worry that political stalemate, widespread corruption, and weak domestic security forces will plague their country if the U.S. pulls out completely next year, says veteran journalist Jane Arraf.

The Pentagon recognizes the catastrophic threat posed by cyberwarfare, and is partnering with allied governments and private companies to prepare itself.

Max Boot argues that even with the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq, the United States must continue to fight for Iraq's future.

Bob Gates never thought he'd be Barack Obama's defense secretary. Now, in an exclusive interview, the most revolutionary Pentagon leader since Robert McNamara tells FP why he said yes, when he'll get out of Washington, and what legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Richard N. Haass discusses the lessons to be taken from the history of U.S. military involvement in Iraq--and their implications for how to move forward in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discusses the benefits to women of the international community's presence in Afghanistan.

President Obama's political objectives for Afghanistan are limited and feasible, says military historian Gian Gentile, but the military's counterinsurgency strategy and "maximalist approach of nation-building" could take a generation to achieve.

John B. Bellinger III discusses the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions and argues that the United States should use its political capital to clarify the Conventions and make them applicable to modern warfare.

CFR Senior Fellow Stephen Biddle and Foreign Affairs Managing Editor Gideon Rose discuss the way forward in Afghanistan.

Listen to CFR Senior Fellow Stephen Biddle and Foreign Affairs Managing Editor Gideon Rose discuss the way forward in Afghanistan.

Report

Richard A. Falkenrath says that while the recent decision by the United Arab Emirates to suspend BlackBerry services may have been opposed by business travelers, law enforcement officers and intelligence officers viewed the decision with approval and a bit of envy.

Nicholas Shmidle writes that despite the shaky relationship between the United States and Pakistan in the wake of the WikiLeaks documents release, Pakistan plays an important role in Washington's Afghanistan policy.

Stephen Biddle argues that troop withdrawal from Iraq should be slow and gradual.

Mohamad Bazzi says that the United States has lost leverage in being able to force Iraqi leaders to end their current political stalemate.

Leslie H. Gelb, who directed the Pentagon Papers project, says comparisons with the WikiLeaks files miss the point.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon says the WikiLeaks cache highlighted the problem of police corruption in Afghanistan and asks if female officers could change the force's culture.