Fighting to Control Syria

The fall of the Assad regime is the end of the beginning.

Erdogan Conditions Sweden’s NATO Bid on Turkey EU Admission

Finally, a rationale that makes sense.

Turkey’s Elections

Don’t get your hopes up.

Far-Right Idiocy in Sweden

Swedish right-wing provocation and Turkish short-sightedness.

Finland and Sweden Apply to NATO, Turkey an Obstacle

A diplomatic nightmare brewing since last week is now upon us.

Iranian Missiles Hit Near US Consulate in Iraq

No casualties, American or otherwise, have been reported.

The TV Doctors and the Problem of Cable “News”

Cable news “experts” frequently aren’t.

Turkish Forces Cross Border Into Northern Syria, Hit Kurdish Areas

Just days after President Trump agreed to remove American forces from the scene, Turkish forces are entering northern Syria and Kurdish forces say they ar ready for war.

Top Anti-ISIS Envoy Resigns Over Syria Withdrawal

President Trump has lost another one of his top advisers on the fight against ISIS.

Iraqi Army Moves Against Kurdish Oil Assets

Iraqi military forces begin to crack down against Iraqi Kurds after last month’s independence referendum.

U.S. Won’t Recognize Kurdish Independence Referendum

The U.S is joining the rest of the world in refusing to recognize the independence referendum conducted by Iraqi Kurds.

Iraqi Kurds Vote Overwhelmingly For Independence, Prompting A Backlash

Kurds in Iraq voted overwhelmingly for independence in a non-binding referendum, and the result is threatening to create a new conflict in the Middle East.

At Least 41 Dead In Terror Attack On Istanbul Airport

A massive attack hits Istanbul’s airport.

President Obama Likely To Leave World In As Bad A Shape As He Found It, If Not Worse

President Obama came to office inheriting the legacy of one unnecessary war, and another that had faded from memory. He will leave office with Iraq and Syria in crisis, Europe uneasy, Yemen and Libya unstable breeding grounds for terrorism, and China doing whatever it is they’re doing.

Turkish Forces Bomb Kurdish Positions

The Turks have entered the conflict in Syria. Unfortunately for the United States, it’s not on the side we would prefer.

Who’s Going To Pay For The President’s War Against ISIS?

As we head into a new conflict, perhaps we ought to give more thought to fiscal issues than the President is to overall strategy.

Obama’s Iraq Policy Is Open-Ended, Directionless, And Likely To Fail

President Obama doesn’t seem to have any idea what he wants to do in Iraq.

U.S. Airstrikes Hit ISIS In Northern Iraq

For the second time in just over ten years, the United States is involved in military action in Iraq.

Maliki Responding To Iraq Crisis In Worst Possible Way

Iraq’s Prime Minister seems to be responding to the uprising in his country in a way guaranteed to make it worse.

Insurgents Linked To Al Qaeda Capture Iraq’s Second City

Things only seem to be getting worse in Iraq.

Joyner Unfair to Krugman

A decade ago. a certain New York Times columnist was more right than your humble host.

Is Government Inefficient?

A former Obama official says government should learn from business, but is private industry really more efficient?

Gates Hints U.S. Could Stay In Iraq, But It Looks Like The Iraqis Don’t Want Us

Defense Secretary Gates hinted this week that the U.S. would stay in Iraq if the Iraqis wanted. It doesn’t seem like they do.

Three Iraq Wars

War in Kurdistan?