Iraq

Iraq's army can make a comeback with a well-chosen chief of staff and a focus on leadership, discipline, and training.

The group's establishment of a territorial "caliphate," the emergence of an unprecedented foreign fighter phenomenon, and the rise of violent extremist social media and lone offender attacks have fundamentally transformed the global terrorist threat.

Without more decisive steps and a greater commitment of forces, the United States cannot expect to achieve its goals against the Islamic State.

Three Iraq experts probe the rising influence of Shiite militias -- many backed by Iran -- on Iraq's security and political landscapes.

As regime and Hezbollah forces experience manpower and projection problems in Syria, Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias may be reassuming a greater combat role.

An Iraqi journalist explains why resolving the political causes underlying the expansion of ISIS is just as important as combating the group militarily.

The Kurds have made a conscious effort to step back from a damaging feud with the United States over weapons shipments.

There is nothing mystical about ISIS as a defensive force: where it has succeeded, it has done so almost entirely due to the absence of effective opposition, not because of its inherent strength.

Volcanic changes in the region are under way, with the outbreak of Sunni-Shiite wars in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, unprecedented tension between Washington and Israel, and U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks that appear on the verge of breakthrough. Watch an expert discussion of these challenges and the future of U.S. policy in the region.