Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology

A NATO solider (L) speaks on radio at the site of a car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan August 22, 2015. A car bomb outside a Kabul hospital killed at least 10 people and caused widespread casualties among Afghan civilians, although it appeared to have targeted a vehicle carrying foreign citizens, witnesses and security sources said. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

In Afghanistan, different priorities means vastly different policies

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Friday, January 15, 2021

A member of Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government fires a weapon on a pickup truck during a battle with Islamic State militants in Giza Bahreya, in Sirte, Libya October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Hani Amara

The key trends to watch this year on nonstate armed actors

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Friday, January 15, 2021

Philippine President Benigno Aquino (C) and Al-haj Murad Ebrahim (C, partially obscured), chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), look at weapons during the Ceremonial Turnover of Weapons and Decommissioning of MILF Combatants at the old capitol in Simuay town of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines June 16, 2015. Aquino attempted to revive a stalled peace process with Muslim insurgents on Tuesday, calling on lawmakers to grant autonomy for the predominantly Christian nation's restive southern region before time runs out. MILF handed in a token 75 weapons at the ceremony on Tuesday, where Aquino attempted to push forward his autonomy proposal for the region, known as Bangsamoro. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Want global stability? Modify the U.S. approach to dealing with nonstate armed actors

Patrick W. Quirk and Lauren Mooney

Friday, January 15, 2021

NO FILM, NO VIDEO, NO TV, NO DOCUMENTARY - Counter protesters face off with protesters as several far-right groups, including militias and white supremacists, rally Saturday, August 15, 2020, in Stone Mountain, GA, USA, while a broad coalition of leftist anti-racist groups organized a counter-demonstration. Photo by Jenni Girtman/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

White supremacist terrorism: Key trends to watch in 2021

Daniel L. Byman

Friday, January 15, 2021

Head of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces delegation A. Amhimmid Mohamed Alamami (L) wearing a protective face mask, shakes hands with Head of the Government of National Accords (GNA) military delegation Ahmed Ali Abushahma (R) after signing an agreement for a complete and permanent ceasefire in Libya during fourth round of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission talks.

UN engagement with nonstate armed groups for the sake of peace: Driving without a roadmap

Jeffrey Feltman

Friday, January 15, 2021

A U.S. soldier assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Armored Division watches as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter prepares to land during an advise and assistance mission in southeastern Afghanistan, August 4, 2019. Picture taken on August 4, 2019. Courtesy Alejandro Licea/U.S. Army/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

US policy toward Afghanistan: Consider the trade-offs, including with other policy areas

Vanda Felbab-Brown

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

PA via ReutersStock photo of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram and Messenger, social media app icons on a smart phone, as WhatsApp users who use the app on an iPhone 4 or older and outdated Android handsets will be unable to use the app properly as of January 1, 2021. Picture date: Tuesday December 29, 2020. Photo credit: Isabel Infantes/EMPICSNo Use UK. No Use Ireland. No Use Belgium. No Use France. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use China. No Use Norway. No Use Sweden. No Use Denmark. No Use Holland. No Use Australia.

Social media companies need better emergency protocols

Daniel L. Byman and Aditi Joshi

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A cynical ploy like Hawley and Cruz’s looks harmless. Until it isn’t.

Henry Farrell and Elizabeth N. Saunders

Monday, January 11, 2021

The al-Shaab mosque, previously named after the slain former Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is pictured in Sanaa, Yemen March 27, 2018. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

A pragmatic view on Yemen’s Houthis

Monday, January 11, 2021

Supporters of Evo Morales demonstrate to protest against the interim government and coup d'etat in Paris, France, on November 17, 2019. Photo by Karim Ait Adjedjou/Avenir Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COMNo Use France Digital. No Use France Print.

No, it’s not a coup — It’s a failed ‘self-coup’ that will undermine US leadership and democracy worldwide

Charles T. Call

Friday, January 8, 2021