Topic: John Nagl
All Content
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US military officials in Iraq warn of growing Iranian threat
American military officials say the upcoming US withdrawal has emboldened Iranian-backed militias, which they blame for recent deadly attacks and allege are stockpiling weapons.
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Troop exit plan means hard choices for US commanders in Afghanistan
Obama's decision that all 30,000 'surge' forces must leave Afghanistan by end of next summer is not the troop exit plan US military leaders were hoping to hear. What choices confront them?
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How Leon Panetta could change Washington as next Defense secretary
Leon Panetta, currently CIA director, is a close ally of Vice President Biden. But political realities could prevent him from adopting Mr. Biden's stance on US troops in Afghanistan.
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Attacks on US forces still an option, says Muqtada al-Sadr upon return to Iraq
In his first public address in Iraq since leaving the country almost four years ago, fiery Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this weekend led thousands of followers in chants of 'No to America.'
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Growthology
West Point graduates: Why our best officers are leaving early
The U.S. military claims to support independent thinking and entrepreneurship among officers, but a survey of 250 West Point graduates suggests that conformity, not merit, is rewarded.
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US commitment to Iraq will pay off across the Middle East -- and avert a historic error
Both those who supported the surge and those who pressed for withdrawal should support continued US involvement in order to consolidate Iraq's fragile political and security gains. Disengaging now could undermine the entire long-term strategic relationship.
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Reader recommendation: Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife
Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
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Lawrence of Arabia, guiding US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan
Lawrence of Arabia's life and writings still give counterinsurgency experts in the US guidance on how to conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Growthology
Is the Army innovative?
General Petraeus has transformed the Army through counterinsurgency strategy. But is the military really innovative?
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Admiral Mullen: foreign policy is too dominated by the military
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says US foreign policy is too dependent on military generals and admirals and not enough on the State Department.
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Blackwater fallout: Senate moves to rein in military contractors
The Senate holds a hearing Wednesday on ways to improve oversight of private military contractors, after a series of incidents involving Blackwater. On Tuesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would stop 'outsourcing' security missions.
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Afghanistan summit: Why is the US backing talks with the Taliban?
Heading into this week's summit of Afghan allies in London, the top US general in Afghanistan said he supported President Hamid Karzai's plan to reach out to the Taliban.
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Once mighty Iraq Air Force rebuilds – but pilots keep low profile
The Iraq Air Force is slowly reclaiming control of the country's airspace – the last bit of Iraqi national sovereignty to be returned as the Americans pull out.
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Abu Ghraib attack raises fears of resurgent Al Qaeda in Iraq
The murder of 13 in Abu Ghraib this weekend has some worried that Al Qaeda in Iraq may be exploiting gaps between withdrawing US forces and Iraqi troops not yet ready to stand alone.
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Is US strategy in Afghanistan working?
The debate over sending more US troops frames a larger clash over counterinsurgency strategy as the new template for war.
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Obama faces critical decision on how to proceed in Afghanistan
There’s debate within his own administration over sending more troops to Afghanistan at a time when casualties mount and many Americans grow weary of the war.
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Pentagon seeks stability in Afghanistan deployments
As part of the counterinsurgency mission, US Army units will return to the same regions in order to build on experience and develop stronger relationships on the ground.
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Iraq: forgotten and in trouble?
Saturday's massive bomb in Kirkuk, combined with political gridlock, raises questions about how ready Iraq is for the withdrawal of US troops from cities by June 30.
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In Afghanistan, time is running out, Pentagon worries
The next year will be crucial, several top defense officials say. The US must begin to show progress or risk losing public support.
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Gates's next lever to reshape the Pentagon: QDR
This week, the Defense Department will begin the Quadrennial Defense Review, a year-long study that should help the secretary put his stamp on the military.
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Can Iraq go it alone?
The dramatic drop in violence over the past year is due in part to US-led efforts. But the insurgency could linger.
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Can Iraq go it alone?
The dramatic drop in violenc over the past year is due in part to US-led efforts. But the insurgency could linger.
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Gates axes some costly weapons, emphasizes 'irregular' warfare
Defense secretary applies lessons of Iraq, Afghanistan to new Pentagon budget.
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The emerging Obama doctrine
The president’s pragmatic worldview is likely to temper military engagement overseas.
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US troop buildup in Afghanistan could be a defining moment
Obama's order to send 17,000 more troops comes before US has set a clear strategy.
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