Politicians and everyday Americans use the term “endless wars” to describe the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Yet that generalization ignores the active effort to reduce the financial and human cost of U.S. operations while still pursuing counterinsurgency objectives.
There is growing Iranian activism in the Middle East despite U.S. and allied efforts to weaken Iran’s economy and politically isolate Tehran. Nevertheless, Iran has weaknesses and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the United States and its partners.
Tonight, the president will belatedly make his State of the Union address. Here are six questions to watch for, the answers to which will drive future defense programs, budgets, and prospects for the industrial base.
America has a new counterterrorism policy: retrenchment.