Kenneth M. Pollack

The Kurds have too few anti-tank guided missile launchers, too few Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, too little artillery.

The U.S. backs Abadi because it doesn't want to re-open Iraq's political can of worms in the midst of a military campaign.

Having reconstruction and stablization plans for a free Mosul must be a top priority, lest the "liberation" of Mosul turn into yet another American-Iraqi fiasco.

Retaking Ramadi was delayed because Iraqi Sunni and Shiite leaders failed to reconcile their differences.

The U.S. should deter Saudi Arabia from becoming entangled in a Yemeni civil war.

The Tikrit offensive was meant to discredit the U.S. Instead it has offered a golden opportunity.

On Syria, there aren't many good options. But the president has chosen the worst of them all.