Max Boot argues that cuts to defense spending have the potential to devastate the U.S. armed forces, and if left unchecked, will do more damage to their fighting capacity than the Taliban, al-Qaeda, or any other external foe could inflict.

Max Boot says that at the moment, Iraq is an uneasy mixture of good and bad, volatile and stable, healthy and diseased—a strange witches' brew that could blow up or, just possibly, turn into an elixir for the entire region.

The new U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership agreement is a step forward as the Western troop drawdown clock ticks down, but Washington must provide more specific pledges for Afghanistan's security, says CFR's Max Boot.

Max Boot argues that the only way the Taliban can shoot their way back into power is if the United States abandons Afghanistan.

Max Boot says military action in Syria needs to be carefully thought through, but the Obama administration should not allow itself to be paralyzed by the Pentagon's reluctance to intervene in Syria.

Max Boot argues that despite the recent protests over the burning of Qurans, Afghans do not want a return of the Taliban--and they don't hate America.

Max Boot says cutting spending on Afghan forces is penny wise and war foolish.

Max Boot reviews Eliot Cohen's Conquered into Liberty: Two Centuries of Battles Along the Great Warpath that Made the American Way of War.

Max Boot reviews All In: The Education of General David Petraeus by Paula Broadwell and Vernon Loeb.

Max Boot argues that the current plan to downsize the U.S. military is a repeat of past mistakes.

Max Boot argues that cuts to defense spending have the potential to devastate the U.S. armed forces, and if left unchecked, will do more damage to their fighting capacity than the Taliban, al-Qaeda, or any other external foe could inflict.

Captain Bradley S. Russell, USN and Max Boot argue that Iran must realize that by initiating direct hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, it risks American retaliation against their covert nuclear-weapons program.

Max Boot says that at the moment, Iraq is an uneasy mixture of good and bad, volatile and stable, healthy and diseased—a strange witches' brew that could blow up or, just possibly, turn into an elixir for the entire region.

Max Boot says that by pulling out U.S. troops from Iraq prematurely--against the advice of military commanders --President Obama has made another war there more likely.

As the U.S. military formally ends operations in Iraq, four top expert voices in the debate on the war differ over whether it merited the cost in blood, treasure, and U.S. credibility.

Max Boot says U.S. leadership is needed to galvanize a coalition for effective action against the Assad regime in Syria.

Max Boot says the West is still failing to face up to the growing threat from the Islamic Republic.

Max Boot argues that U.S. troops can win in Afghanistan, but the major battleground is in Washington.

Max Boot says the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq is not a triumph but a defeat for the United States.

Max Boot argues that Iran is unmistakably behind the plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador.

Max Boot says the United States should not let fear of reaction deter it from dealing with the menace Pakistan poses.

Max Boot says the initial U.S. victory in Afghanistan has been undone by complacency.