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April 3, 2024

United States
What Does the U.S. National Guard Do?

The National Guard is a special part of the U.S. military that answers to both state governors and the president. While it began as a “strategic reserve,” the guard has come to play an important role…

A member of the National Guard patrols the southern U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu and Noah Berman

April 3, 2023

United States
How the U.S. Rail System Works

A spate of train derailments, most notably in East Palestine, Ohio, has reinvigorated the debate over the nation’s railroad infrastructure. Here’s how U.S. rail could be brought up to speed.

A torn U.S. flag waves above a moving freight train
Backgrounder by Noah Berman Renewing America

February 3, 2005

Middle East and North Africa
NATO: Keeping the Peace in Afghanistan

This publication is now archived. Can NATO keep the peace in Afghanistan? The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed October 13 to allow the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO…

Backgrounder by Sharon Otterman

February 2, 2005

Iraq
IRAQ: Military Outsourcing

This publication is now archived. What is military outsourcing?The process of contracting out to private companies tasks that used to be performed by members of the uniformed military. The assignment…

Backgrounder by Esther Pan

July 27, 2006

International Organizations
NATO Looks to Expand Mission and Membership

With talk of deploying NATO peacekeepers to patrol the Lebanese border, the alliance is tackling new challenges outside of Europewhile looking to recruit new members. Not everyone, however, supports …

Backgrounder by Lionel Beehner