This month, Obama administration officials revealed plans to dramatically reduce embassy staff in Baghdad, the largest U.S. diplomatic mission abroad. Along with the announcement in December of the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq — the message President Obama is sending is clear: The sooner we put Iraq...

Upon returning from several years of "self-imposed" exile in Iran--which the "firebrand" cleric chose after two uprisings by his Mahdi Army militia were badly defeated--Muqtada al Sadr declared, "We are still fighters," and has threatened attacks if US forces remain in Iraq past 2011.

The freedom enjoyed in Najaf as a result of American actions in 2003 and 2004 will not matter if the United States has no diplomats permanently in Shiite Islam's Vatican City, ready to make Washington's case; America's enemies will define our legacy.

President Obama's inaction in the face of Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi's counteroffensive will have lasting consequences.

James Madison wouldhave prescribed for Iraq what he prescribed for us in 1787: a carefully contrived single-member-district electoral system.

Iraq's peaceful elections and strong voter turnout last weekend were a major success for both that country and the United States. The elections could also redefine Iran's role in the region.

President Obama is reportedly considering releasing several senior Taliban leaders from Guantanamo Bay as an enticement to get the Taliban to the peace table. If he does so, he will do tremendous harm to American national security — and to his prospects for reelection this fall.

The political shape of post-Saddam Iraq could mean continued ethnic strife or a newfound stability for the country. Is Iraq ready for a constitution that would vest all Iraqis in their nation, but divest ethnic and religious leaders of their traditional political and economic powers? What role will Islamic...