National Security and Defense

Two F-35B combat aircraft from the United States Marine Corp depart after re-fueling from an RAF Voyager aircraft over the North Sea on October 08, 2020 in flight, above Scotland.
Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei makes a speech during his meeting with senior officials and members of the air force in Tehran, Iran on February 08, 2020. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei makes a speech during his meeting with senior officials and members of the air force in Tehran, Iran on February 08, 2020. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Commentary
Mehdi Khalaji
Senior Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Mehdi Khalaji
Long Read
The Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tharir holds its Friday prayer at the Parliament Square on March 21, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The goal of Hizb ut Tharir is the implementation of the Islamic Sharia law. (Ole Jensen/Getty Images)
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The Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tharir holds its Friday prayer at the Parliament Square on March 21, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The goal of Hizb ut Tharir is the implementation of the Islamic Sharia law. (Ole Jensen/Getty Images)
Commentary
Lorenzo Vidino
Director of the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University
Lorenzo Vidino
Long Read
MH-60R Sea Hawks attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron HSM-77 (the “Saberhawks”) hover in formation between the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (foreground) and USS Nimitz while under way in the South China Sea, July 7, 2020. The Nimitz and R
Caption
MH-60R Sea Hawks attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron HSM-77 (the “Saberhawks”) hover in formation between the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (foreground) and USS Nimitz while under way in the South China Sea, July 7, 2020. The Nimitz and R
Commentary
Seth Cropsey
President, Yorktown Institute
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Harry Halem
Research Assistant
Seth Cropsey & Harry Halem
7 Min Read
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R) with Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as the new government is presented after the Iranian Revolution. (Photo by Alain Dejean/Sygma via Getty Images)
Caption
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R) with Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as the new government is presented after the Iranian Revolution. (Photo by Alain Dejean/Sygma via Getty Images)
Commentary
Svante E. Cornell
Director of the American Foreign Policy Council’s Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
M. K. Kaya
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Central Asia-Caucasus Inst. & Silk Road Studies Program
Svante E. Cornell & M. K. Kaya
Long Read