Michael Crowley

Crisis in Syrian City Exposes Fissure in Obama's Anti-ISIS Coalition

Some key allies want to fight Assad, not ISIS

By Michael Crowley October 10, 2014

America’s Real Problem in Iran: Ayatullah Khamenei

The country’s most powerful person isn’t interested in diplomacy

By Michael Crowley October 2, 2014

Behind the Newest Terror Threat

The word Khorasan sheds important light on the grandiose, even apocalyptic vision that drives many Sunni radicals

By Michael Crowley September 25, 2014

Obama's War Keeps Growing

A mission that keeps shedding its limits

By Michael Crowley September 23, 2014

John Kerry's Wary Coalition

Will the U.S.’s shaky group of partners hold against ISIS?

By Michael Crowley / Jidda September 18, 2014

Kerry Enlists Saudi King in War of Ideas Against ISIS

Persuading would-be jihadists that ISIS distorts Islam “probably far more important than the military,” the U.S. Secretary of State says

By Michael Crowley / Jeddah September 15, 2014

What a Trip to Iraq Reveals About Obama's ISIS Plan

Rhetoric versus reality in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone

By Michael Crowley / Baghdad September 11, 2014

The Never-Ending War

The setting remains the same, but new enemies and allies have emerged

By Michael Crowley/Baghdad September 11, 2014

Obama's Mission Creep in Iraq

For George W. Bush it was "Mission Accomplished." For Barack Obama, it may be "mission creep."

By Michael Crowley August 18, 2014

Into Kurdistan

Obama sends the U.S. military to repel a   gruesome terrorist army

By Michael Crowley August 14, 2014

Kurds Finally Have America’s Attention

Obama sends in the military to repel a gruesome terrorist army

By Michael Crowley August 14, 2014

Experts Warn of Iraq Blowback

ISIS has long threatened America openly — will Obama's strikes inspire it to act?

By Michael Crowley August 10, 2014

Why Obama Intervened in Iraq

Hard choices for a gun-shy President

By Michael Crowley August 8, 2014

Israelis Unhappy to See Military 'Surprised' Again

A high Israeli troop death toll in Gaza, with inconclusive results, reminds some of a "severe sense of failure" after a 2006 ground war

By Michael Crowley August 6, 2014

The Man Who Haunts Israel

Khaled Mashaal was nearly assassinated by Benjamin Netanyahu. Then Israel's Prime Minister was forced to bring the Hamas leader back to life. Now their deadly history hangs over the conflict that roils the Middle East

By Michael Crowley July 29, 2014

Obama to Israel: 'Do More' About Civilian Deaths

And why Israel doesn't like it

By Michael Crowley July 23, 2014

John Kerry Saved Afghanistan's Elections

Up to one million might have died, an Afghan leader warned.

By Michael Crowley July 18, 2014

Israel's Fighting Iran, Too

Tehran's fingerprints are all over Hamas's rocket arsenal, officials say

By Michael Crowley July 11, 2014

Here's What John Kerry Can Learn From Hillary About Israel's New Crisis

Clinton writes that Obama was "understandably wary" about intervening the last time violence flared

By Michael Crowley July 9, 2014

Iran's YouTube Message to Obama: Don't Bully Us

Tehran takes a hard line as a July 20 nuclear deadline nears

By Michael Crowley July 2, 2014

ISIS Attacked Shi'ite Shrine

Baghdad's envoy to Washington has confirmed that the perimeter of Samarra's al-Askari mosque in Iraq was targeted by Sunni militants

By Michael Crowley July 1, 2014

Israel Likens Hamas to ISIS

The murder of three teenagers should make the new Palestinian government a pariah, Israel's Intelligence Minister argues

By Michael Crowley June 30, 2014

Why Obama Is Finally Getting Serious About Syria

A White House reversal after months of rejecting calls for more aid to moderate rebels

By Michael Crowley June 27, 2014

One Holy Site Could Restart Iraq's Civil War

Officials fear repeat of 2006 attack on sacred Shi'ite mosque

By Michael Crowley June 26, 2014

U.S. Will Work With Not Against al-Sisi

Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Cairo was quickly followed by the conviction of 3 Al Jazeera journalists, prompting Kerry to denounce the "chilling, draconian" just after he looked forward to a resumption of military aid

By Michael Crowley June 23, 2014

The End of Iraq

The sudden military victories of a Sunni militant group threaten to touch off a maelstrom in the Middle East

By Michael Crowley June 19, 2014

Hillary's Highly Choreographed Reality

"Be careful to 'be real,'" reads a now famous memo written for Hillary Clinton by a top aide back in 1999, when she was embarking on her first campaign for the U.S. Senate. It was...

By Michael Crowley June 12, 2014

Susan Rice Is Under Fire Again After Bowe Bergdahl Release

Denied the job of Secretary of State after Benghazi, Obama's National Security Adviser is targeted again after a controversial Sunday talk-show appearance. "She sort of brings out this craziness in a certain crowd," an Administration official tells TIME

By Michael Crowley June 5, 2014

Bowe Bergdahl: Terrorist Hostage or POW?

The freed American soldier was held by an officially designated terror group. But a White House official tells TIME, "We did not negotiate with the Haqqanis."

By Michael Crowley June 4, 2014

Bergdahl Goes From Hero to Headache for Obama

What began as an uplifting tale of a rescued hero has become a political headache for President Obama. Did the White House oversell the controversial deal for Bowe Bergdahl?

By Michael Crowley June 3, 2014

Obama Didn't Negotiate With 'Terrorists' for Bergdahl

Republicans continue to lambaste Barack Obama for releasing five senior Taliban figures from the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in exchange for the captured U.S. solider Bowe Bergdahl. But the story is more complicated than they say

By Michael Crowley June 2, 2014

Critics Trash Obama's Big Foreign Policy Address

Obama's effort to rebut criticism of his foreign policy is producing loads more of it.

By Michael Crowley May 29, 2014

Obama Sticks to His Guns

Obama's foreign policy address at West Point won't satisfy his critics, but it might reassure anxious supporters

By Michael Crowley May 28, 2014

This May Be the Real Obama Doctrine

The president's much-anticipated foreign policy speech at West Point will set off another round of debate on his "doctrine" — but for Obama, it's about giving the public what they want

By Michael Crowley May 28, 2014

Why Obama Is Leaving 10,000 Troops in Afghanistan

A clean break like the U.S. made from Iraq is tempting. But it's not a risk Obama is ready to take—yet

By Michael Crowley May 27, 2014

Obama Faces Second Chemical Weapons Crisis in Syria

Mounting evidence of reported chlorine attacks could renew talk of military action any day now

By Michael Crowley May 23, 2014

Watch Out for Missile Blowback

Giving Syria’s rebels surface-to-air weapons is a risk the Obama Administration shouldn’t take

By Michael Crowley May 22, 2014

Risks Outweigh Rewards for Democrats in Joining Benghazi Commission

How a tragedy became political spectator sport

By Michael Crowley May 21, 2014

How Today's Fear of Russia Is 1850 All Over Again

We've seen this play before

By Michael Crowley May 16, 2014

No, Hillary Clinton Isn't 'Soft' on Terrorism

Conservatives are pouncing on Benghazi and Boko Haram as evidence that the likely 2016 Democratic nominee is weak on national security. It's a bogus charge

By Michael Crowley May 13, 2014

Vladimir Putin’s War

Russia’s president has seized Crimea and destabilized Ukraine. What drives him?

By Michael Crowley and Simon Shuster May 8, 2014

'Major Escalation' in Ukraine

Michael McFaul, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Moscow until February, warns Russian President Vladimir Putin may be preparing an all-out invasion

By Michael Crowley May 3, 2014

Tit-for-Tat: Putin's Maddening Propaganda Trick

How the Russian leader is driving U.S. officials crazy with his "I know you are but what am I?" technique. How do you negotiate with someone who denies the truth?

By Michael Crowley May 1, 2014

Obama's Foreign Policy Failures Prove His Critics Right

The President once promised to tackle "cynicism" about the what can be achieved through diplomacy. That hasn't been working out lately.

By Michael Crowley April 25, 2014

U.S. Mulls Syria 'Game Changer'

White House officials are weighing whether to send surface-to-air missiles to opposition factions at the risk of a possible terrorist "nightmare"

By Michael Crowley April 21, 2014

Ukraine Deal in Trouble

Thursday's agreement to calm the Ukraine crisis already appears tenuous, as Washington and Moscow promptly began bickering over the deal's meaning

By Michael Crowley April 18, 2014

Putin Ups Ante in Ukraine

Can Obama lower the boom with sanctions?

By Michael Crowley April 17, 2014

Decision Time on Peace Talks

President Obama and John Kerry met on Tuesday to discuss the risks and benefits of performing CPR on Israeli-Palestinian communication

By Michael Crowley April 8, 2014

Mike Rogers: Obama Has Gone Soft on al-Qaeda

The retiring House Intelligence Committee chief tells TIME that Obama is leaving terrorists "on the battlefield," and explains his charge that Edward Snowden is "under the influence" of Russia's security service

By Michael Crowley April 3, 2014

U.S. May Release Spy for Israel

President Obama is mulling an early release for Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of spying for Israel, in hopes of salvaging Israeli-Palestinian talks

By Michael Crowley April 1, 2014

Michael Crowley

Crisis in Syrian City Exposes Fissure in Obama's Anti-ISIS Coalition

Some key allies want to fight Assad, not ISIS

America’s Real Problem in Iran: Ayatullah Khamenei

The country’s most powerful person isn’t interested in diplomacy

Behind the Newest Terror Threat

The word Khorasan sheds important light on the grandiose, even apocalyptic vision that drives many Sunni radicals

Obama's War Keeps Growing

A mission that keeps shedding its limits

John Kerry's Wary Coalition

Will the U.S.’s shaky group of partners hold against ISIS?

Kerry Enlists Saudi King in War of Ideas Against ISIS

Persuading would-be jihadists that ISIS distorts Islam “probably far more important than the military,” the U.S. Secretary of State says

What a Trip to Iraq Reveals About Obama's ISIS Plan

Rhetoric versus reality in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone

The Never-Ending War

The setting remains the same, but new enemies and allies have emerged

Obama's Mission Creep in Iraq

For George W. Bush it was "Mission Accomplished." For Barack Obama, it may be "mission creep."

Into Kurdistan

Obama sends the U.S. military to repel a gruesome terrorist army

Kurds Finally Have America’s Attention

Obama sends in the military to repel a gruesome terrorist army

Experts Warn of Iraq Blowback

ISIS has long threatened America openly — will Obama's strikes inspire it to act?

Why Obama Intervened in Iraq

Hard choices for a gun-shy President

Israelis Unhappy to See Military 'Surprised' Again

A high Israeli troop death toll in Gaza, with inconclusive results, reminds some of a "severe sense of failure" after a 2006 ground war

The Man Who Haunts Israel

Khaled Mashaal was nearly assassinated by Benjamin Netanyahu. Then Israel's Prime Minister was forced to bring the Hamas leader back to life. Now their deadly history hangs over the conflict that roils the Middle East

Obama to Israel: 'Do More' About Civilian Deaths

And why Israel doesn't like it

John Kerry Saved Afghanistan's Elections

Up to one million might have died, an Afghan leader warned.

Israel's Fighting Iran, Too

Tehran's fingerprints are all over Hamas's rocket arsenal, officials say

Here's What John Kerry Can Learn From Hillary About Israel's New Crisis

Clinton writes that Obama was "understandably wary" about intervening the last time violence flared

Iran's YouTube Message to Obama: Don't Bully Us

Tehran takes a hard line as a July 20 nuclear deadline nears

ISIS Attacked Shi'ite Shrine

Baghdad's envoy to Washington has confirmed that the perimeter of Samarra's al-Askari mosque in Iraq was targeted by Sunni militants

Israel Likens Hamas to ISIS

The murder of three teenagers should make the new Palestinian government a pariah, Israel's Intelligence Minister argues

Why Obama Is Finally Getting Serious About Syria

A White House reversal after months of rejecting calls for more aid to moderate rebels

One Holy Site Could Restart Iraq's Civil War

Officials fear repeat of 2006 attack on sacred Shi'ite mosque

U.S. Will Work With Not Against al-Sisi

Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Cairo was quickly followed by the conviction of 3 Al Jazeera journalists, prompting Kerry to denounce the "chilling, draconian" just after he looked forward to a resumption of military aid

The End of Iraq

The sudden military victories of a Sunni militant group threaten to touch off a maelstrom in the Middle East

Hillary's Highly Choreographed Reality

"Be careful to 'be real,'" reads a now famous memo written for Hillary Clinton by a top aide back in 1999, when she was embarking on her first campaign for the U.S. Senate. It was...

Susan Rice Is Under Fire Again After Bowe Bergdahl Release

Denied the job of Secretary of State after Benghazi, Obama's National Security Adviser is targeted again after a controversial Sunday talk-show appearance. "She sort of brings out this craziness in a certain crowd," an Administration official tells TIME

Bowe Bergdahl: Terrorist Hostage or POW?

The freed American soldier was held by an officially designated terror group. But a White House official tells TIME, "We did not negotiate with the Haqqanis."

Bergdahl Goes From Hero to Headache for Obama

What began as an uplifting tale of a rescued hero has become a political headache for President Obama. Did the White House oversell the controversial deal for Bowe Bergdahl?

Obama Didn't Negotiate With 'Terrorists' for Bergdahl

Republicans continue to lambaste Barack Obama for releasing five senior Taliban figures from the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in exchange for the captured U.S. solider Bowe Bergdahl. But the story is more complicated than they say

Critics Trash Obama's Big Foreign Policy Address

Obama's effort to rebut criticism of his foreign policy is producing loads more of it.

Obama Sticks to His Guns

Obama's foreign policy address at West Point won't satisfy his critics, but it might reassure anxious supporters

This May Be the Real Obama Doctrine

The president's much-anticipated foreign policy speech at West Point will set off another round of debate on his "doctrine" — but for Obama, it's about giving the public what they want

Why Obama Is Leaving 10,000 Troops in Afghanistan

A clean break like the U.S. made from Iraq is tempting. But it's not a risk Obama is ready to take—yet

Obama Faces Second Chemical Weapons Crisis in Syria

Mounting evidence of reported chlorine attacks could renew talk of military action any day now

Watch Out for Missile Blowback

Giving Syria’s rebels surface-to-air weapons is a risk the Obama Administration shouldn’t take

Risks Outweigh Rewards for Democrats in Joining Benghazi Commission

How a tragedy became political spectator sport

How Today's Fear of Russia Is 1850 All Over Again

We've seen this play before

No, Hillary Clinton Isn't 'Soft' on Terrorism

Obama sends the U.S. military to repel a   gruesome terrorist army